Body turns over, fling fist (right)    (11 through 21)

     [Similar to fling fist in lesson #12, though in the opposite direction (West),
and there it is preceded by Arms make the mountain so it begins differently.]

     Body turns over, fling fist (right) begins as your right hand, still folded in a fist, begins to pull back upward, reversing its path in plant fist (11).  Your knees begin to unbend as your entire torso rises and your weight begins to shift back to your right side. [W = 60L]  As you rise up, both of your arms, remaining in close proximity to one another, are drawn, first upward, then toward your right side in an arc. (11-15)  Your left arm moves as one in tandem with your rising right arm (and torso), as your right arm bends at the elbow more and more, pulling your right fist in front of you as it rises.  
     As it does, your left toe only lifts up (11) and you begin to pivot on your left heel (12), turning your entire torso toward your right.  Your torso begins to rotate rightward at the waist as you pivot, from initially facing East to facing eventually West, turning 180°.  Pivot on the heel of your left foot until you are pointing your left toes in front of you (South), where they rest down on the floor again (14).  Just as they do, raise your right toes only (15) and pivot on your right heel (16,17) as you further shift your weight to your right side [W= even] until you are pointing your right foot due West.  Then lower your right toes again (18-20), with your left and right foot forming a perpendicular. [W= 70R]
     Simultaneous to this movement your hands are arcing toward your right (West), moving closer to each other as they do.  Your left palm moves in an overhand arc toward the West past your left ear (18) as your head turns toward the same direction with the motion of your turning torso.  As you fully turn your body facing West finishing fling fist, your left palm turns from facing South (at the end of plant fist) to facing due North at a comfortable distance in front of you, with your left fingers pointing to the ceiling at about chin level. (21)
     As all of this happens, your right elbow slowly swings your right fist in a curve toward your right (West), spinning around the axis of your elbow joint (11-21) until it circles nearly once, completing fling fist.  Your right hand remains in a fist throughout this entire move, first rising upward ahead of you (East), then turning further upward and toward the South reaching its nadir, then West as it begins its descent, ending nested next to³ the bottom of your left palm. (21)  Both arms are bent at approximately 90° angles as this posture ends.  Your right foot, pointing directly to the West, rests comfortably ahead of your left foot as fling fist concludes. [W= 70R]

Forward step, patting the horse   (21 through 27)

     Forward step continues this lesson as you start to shift your weight [W= 80R] completely to your right side, then step through with your left leg, moving it forward (West) past your weight bearing right leg, by first lifting up your left heel (21) [W= 90R], then toe (22) [W= 100R]¹.  Place your left leg at a comfortable distance ahead of you (22,23), and set down your left toe only. (23) [W= 90R]
     As you step through, you finally allow your fist to relax its grip (23), unfurling it into an open hand, turning your right palm up with fingers pointing ahead of you (West).  Both hands are still 'holding a globe' (24).  As you can see, this forward step is quite simple and fairly elegant.
     The transition into (and conclusion of this lesson with) patting the horse is equally simple.  It is not too similar to (specifically: not as complicated as) the first patting the horse just previous in Lesson #15.  Simply lift up your left toe (25) [W= 100R], then set down your left heel (27) [W= 90R].
     As this gentle shift takes place, a simultaneous and equally subtle movement occurs involving your hands.  They alternate positions.  Your right hand, moments before balled into a fist, shifts, by rotating at the wrist counterclockwise, from resting with palm up and fingertips aiming away (West) to a new position with fingertips pointing up and the palm facing in toward the left hand (South). (25-27)
     As it does, your left hand shifts from its position with fingertips pointing up and palm pointing toward your right (North), by rotating at its wrist, also counterclockwise, moving around the right hand as if holding onto a small globe or ball,³ finally resting in its new position with fingertips aiming away (West) and palm facing up.  And that's it! [W= 90R]                          [i wish they were all that easy]

           ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

(Remember to keep your knees and elbows at least slightly bent and your pelvis tucked in throughout the set.)

(If at all possible, it is suggested that someone read the text to you - or record it on a tape and play it back - while you slowly practice the form...and slowly is the best way to practice.)

notes:

¹   Here you are completely weighted on the right side; the only way to lift one leg up off of the ground is to have all of your weight balanced on the other leg. _go back_

²   Slightly touching or just very close (hovering; grazing)
                                                                              _go back_

³   Throughout this and most of the postures in the set, the hands, when near to each other especially, should be considered to be moving as one together, forming as if to hold a globe or ball.  Imagine this as much as you can.
                                                                                 _go back_
                        
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