Wave Hands in the Clouds (Wave Hands like Clouds or Cloud Hands)

Notes:

One of the most important signature movements in Tai Chi.

Circularity and yin yang.
One ends where the other begins.
"The concept of Yin and Yang showing up in the physical body." - Rich Marantz

Watch the cloud/Watch the Clouds go by/Let it go right on by
When arm comes across. Scoop up silk

Yang style is more sweeping

The Founder of Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872) referred to Wave Hands like Clouds:
"An essential single movement form. It is the quintessential exercise for improving stability on one leg, while empty Horse (side) stepping, using the Yao (waist) to turn the torso right and left, moving the arms, and expressing the upward energies of Peng (ward-off) and the downward energy of Cai (pull / pluck). Together they form two double upward circles, out of phase, that generate the energy of Lie (split)"

website

Whole Body movement.
Body moves as one and carries the hands.

Move from your Dan Tien. Move hands from your core with the turning of your waist. Arms move with the turning of the waist.

Less arm movement - more core movement.

Hands at shoulder level, gentle curve.

It's a great waist-toning exercise - especially if you turn your waist but keep your hips forward.

Wave Hands Circle
Top hand faces forward with fingers pointing up; bottom hand parallel to the ground and close to the elbow to protect it.

Eyes gaze above your fingers so to be able to see your opponent over your fingers.

Wave Hands Right
Transition from Single Whip:
Transfer weight to the Left.
Bring Right foot in, right hand palm down underneath left elbow.

Step out Right. Switch hands. Shift weight to the Right.
Step in with the Left just before you change hands and turn from your Dan Tien to the left
Hands move to the Right with the turning of your waist.

Move against resistance.
Feel as if you are pushing against an imaginary / opposing force as you turn your waist and torso to the right, and then back to the left.
Open a heavy door

Footwork
Ball heel (Side step)

Pick your foot up

Hourglass
Pour sand 0% to 100%
Trickle into the leg like an hourglass

Arm pushes down into opposite / leg foot
Foot gives power to the hands

Step out is a bigger step than step in.

Martial Arts:
- Blocking a punch