Ten Sho

Ten Sho #

Ten sho is a breathing form with movements that are done in a very small space. Your elbows and upper arms stay glued to your ribs throughout for protection. Also, most of the stances are an hourglass where your toes point inward and your knees touch. This is protective of your groin.

  1. You begin with feet together and hands folded in front of your groin. Close hands into fists, pull them quickly back into chamber while turning your toes outward. Breathe in as you do this, then exhale and bring fists into a low X block. Shift the heels out, toes together, knees together.

  2. Breathe in, double inside block, breathe out.

  3. Breathe in, step forward right into hourglass stance, right inside block, exhale.

  4. Inhale, circle block with right hand, palm down from right shoulder. Turn palm up, circle other way, pull back into crane hand to the rear. Exhale, slow knife/palm strike forward to solar plexus.

  5. Breathe in. Turn fingers of right hand up, pull in. Exhale, slow palm strike to groin.

  6. Breathe in. Rising crane strike with right. Exhale, knife hand/palm strike to solar plexus.

  7. Breathe in. Right palm strike to left side, right crane to right again. Exhale, right palm to floating ribs.

  8. Repeat 3-7 on left side.

  9. Repeat 3-7 doing both sides at once.

  10. Exhale. Sharp double crane strike, extending arms straight out from shoulders. Inhale. Double horizontal block with palms down, pulling in your elbows immediately. Bring palms in towards your chest. Exhale. Move hands straight down, forming a triangle. Repeat 10 a total of three times.

  11. Fold your arms in front so that left hand is on the right side with palm forward and right forearm is straight up, palm facing the rear. Left is in front of right at the elbow. ``Do these movements simultaneously:

  • Step back right into hourglass stance.
  • Circle right arm inward all the way around (360 degrees) and turn palm forward.
  • Circle left arm outward and bring it to chamber with palm forward.

  1. Extend both hands in front with a double “push”.

  2. Repeat 11 & 12 on other side.

  3. Fold right fist into left hand, position it at groin level, bring front foot in. Quickly chamber both fists at your sides, turning toes out. Turn heels out, fists go down in front.