Brush Knee and Push (Twist Step) 摟膝拗步
Lōu xī ǎo bù
How to do it
Step forward into a bow stance; the lower hand brushes across and past the front knee while the other hand pushes forward from beside the ear. 'Twist step' because the pushing hand is opposite the forward leg.
Step by step
- Turn the waist, dropping the right hand down and lifting the left
- Step forward with the left heel
- Brush the left hand across past the left knee
- Shift into bow stance as the right palm pushes from beside the ear to the front
Breathing
Inhale as you turn and step; exhale as you push.
Health focus
Step coordination, balance in walking, shoulder mobility.
Common mistakes
- Stepping too narrow (on a tightrope)
- Pushing with the shoulder instead of the legs
- Bending forward at the waist
Martial meaning
Deflect a low kick or punch with the lower hand while striking with the palm.
How it varies between styles
| Yang | Large bow stance, repeated left-right-left. |
|---|---|
| Chen | Called Walk Obliquely / Brush Knee in Oblique Stance – more diagonal, with silk-reeling. |
| Wu | Straight leaning line; push comes from the back heel. |
| Sun | Follow-step after each push. |
| Seated | Sweep one hand across the knee while the other presses forward. |
Where it appears
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 4: Brush Knee and Twist Step (3 times)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 7: Left Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 9: Left Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 10: Right Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 11: Left Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 13: Left Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 25: Left Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 40: Left Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 41: Right Brush Knee and Push
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 78: Left Brush Knee and Push
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 7: Brush the Knee in Oblique Stance
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 8: First Closing
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 9: Walk Obliquely in Twist Steps
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 10: Second Closing
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 11: Wade Forward in Twist Steps
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 23: Brush the Knee Obliquely
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 34: Wade Forward and Twist Step on Both Sides
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 64: Brush the Knee in Oblique Stance
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 8: Walk Obliquely
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 9: Brush Knee
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 10: Step Forward Three Times (Twist Step)
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 11: Walk Obliquely
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 12: Brush Knee
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 13: Step Forward Three Times (Twist Step)
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 22: Walk Obliquely
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 32: Step Forward Three Times (Twist Step)
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 57: Walk Obliquely
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 12: Brush Knee Twist Step
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 9: Brush Knee Push Step Left and Right 4 Times
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 15: Slant Brush Knee Push Step
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 16: Turn Body Brush Knee Push Step
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 24: Brush Knee Push Step
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 38: Brush Knee Push Step Twice
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 55: Slant Brush Knee Push Step
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 56: Turn Body Brush Knee Push Step
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 80: Brush Knee Push Step
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 92: Brush Knee Push Step
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 10: Brush Left Knee and Twist Step
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 17: Brush Right Knee and Twist Step
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 25: Brush Left Knee and Twist Step
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 44: Brush Left Knee and Twist Step
Animated 2D guide (front view). The highlighted leg carries the weight, the faint trails show the path of the hands, and the cue at the top suggests the breath.
Video demonstrations 影片
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Move slowly, keep the knees soft and over the toes, and stay within a comfortable range. Every movement can be adapted for a chair.