Cloud Hands (Wave Hands Like Clouds) 雲手
Yún shǒu
How to do it
Hands circle vertically in front of the body, one above at face level and one below at the waist, passing each other as the waist turns side to side and the feet step sideways – like clouds drifting.
Step by step
- Stand in a horse-type stance
- The left hand rises to face level, palm in, as the right hand drops to the waist
- Turn the waist left
- step the right foot in
- Switch hands and turn right, stepping the left foot out
- repeat
Breathing
Inhale as one hand rises, exhale as it lowers and the other rises.
Health focus
Waist rotation, side-stepping balance; one of the best seated movements too.
Common mistakes
- Moving the arms without the waist
- Bobbing up and down
- Crossing the feet
Martial meaning
Continuous circular parries of strikes from either side.
How it varies between styles
| Yang | Side steps, waist leads, 3 or 5 repetitions. |
|---|---|
| Chen | Upper, middle and lower Cloud Hands with more spiral and crossed steps. |
| Wu | Smaller circles near the body. |
| Sun | 'Wave hands like clouds' with follow-step to the side. |
| Seated | One of the best seated movements – alternate hands circling while the waist turns. |
Where it appears
- Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 10: Cloud Hands (3 times)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 32: Cloud Hands (1)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 33: Cloud Hands (2)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 34: Cloud Hands (3)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 65: Cloud Hands (1)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 66: Cloud Hands (2)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 67: Cloud Hands (3)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 85: Cloud Hands (1)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 86: Cloud Hands (2)
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 87: Cloud Hands (3)
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 29: Upper Cloud Hands
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 55: Middle Cloud Hands
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 69: Lower Cloud Hands
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 27: Cloud Hands
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 52: Cloud Hands
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 62: Cloud Hands
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 23: Cloud Hands, Left
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 24: Cloud Hands, Right
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 31: Cloud Hands (3 Times)
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 71: Cloud Hands (3 Times)
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 87: Cloud Hands (3 Times)
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 30: Cloud Hands, Right
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 54: Cloud Hands, Left
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.