Home › Encyclopedia › Tai Chi › Movements › Fan Through the Back

Fan Through the Back 扇通背

Shàn tōng bèi

How to do it

From Needle at Sea Bottom, step forward into a bow stance: the right hand rises to guard above the forehead while the left palm pushes forward – the back opens like a fan.

Step by step

Rise from Needle at Sea Bottom
Step forward into a bow stance
Raise the right hand to guard above the forehead
Push the left palm forward, opening the back like a fan

Breathing

Exhale as you push.

Health focus

Upper-back and shoulder opening.

Common mistakes

Raising the shoulder
Leaning forward

Martial meaning

Upper hand lifts and deflects; the palm strikes the ribs.

How it varies between styles

Yang	Bow stance facing forward.
Chen	'Flash the Back' (Shan Tong Bei) – a sudden turning flash.
Sun	'Fan backs' repeated four times.
Seated	Raise one hand to the forehead while the other pushes forward.

Where it appears

Simplified 24 (Beijing Form) – step 20: Fan Through the Back
Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 27: Fan Through the Back
Yang Family Traditional 103 Form – step 80: Fan Through the Back
Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 24: Flash the Back
Chen Practical Method Yilu – 81 Movements – step 65: Flash the Back
Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 23: Flash the Back
Chen Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Road) – 74 Movements – step 58: Flash the Back
Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 26: Fan Through Back
Wu Jianquan 108 Long Form – step 82: Fan Through Back
Sun Style 73 Competition Form – step 57: Fan Through the Back

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

Qi Elements Tai Chi · 1:15 · YouTube ↗

Videos belong to the channels named and are shared for education. Figures In Space is not affiliated with them.