Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain 抱虎歸山
Bào hǔ guī shān
How to do it
Turn 135° to the rear corner, brush knee with a sweeping 'scoop', and finish with roll-back, press and push – carrying the tiger back to the mountain.
Step by step
- From Cross Hands, turn to the rear corner
- Step out and brush the knee with a scooping motion
- Gather the hands as if embracing a tiger
- Continue into roll-back, press and push
Breathing
Inhale on the turn; exhale through the push.
Health focus
Turning balance; hip mobility.
Common mistakes
- Turning only the shoulders
- Losing balance on the turn
Martial meaning
Scoops and controls an opponent from the side or rear.
How it varies between styles
| Yang | Starts sections two and three. |
|---|---|
| Wu | 'Carry Tiger to the Mountain'. |
| Chen | Embrace Head to Push Mountain is a related Chen move. |
| Sun | 'Carry the tiger' then 'Push the mountain' as separate steps. |
| Seated | Turn the torso to one side, scoop the arms, then draw back and push. |
Where it appears
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 17: Embrace the Tiger and Return to Mountain
- Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 55: Embrace the Tiger and Return to Mountain
- Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 42: Embrace Head to Push Mountain
- Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 40: Embrace Head and Push Mountain
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form – step 18: Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain (then Grasp Bird's Tail and diagonal Single Whip)
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 13: Carry Tiger to the Mountain
- Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 53: Carry Tiger to the Mountain
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 14: Carry Tiger and Push Mountain
- Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 41: Carry Tiger and Push Mountain
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.