五掌 The Five Fists of Five Element Tong Bei: 摔掌 Shuai Zhang or Falling Fist. Here seen practised in its most basic form, in a high horse stance, the purpose here is the develop correct technique, ensuring this backfist not only has a forward but also a downwards momentum. This is not how the fist is employed in combat, but this is a preliminary exercise to ensure the power is generated correctly by practising it at first in an exaggerated manner. One should perform it well at a full range of motion before shortening it and making it more efficient for combat. It also has the added benefit of conditioning the inner thighs, one of the most tender and often ignored areas in the human body.
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