Grandmaster Tse’s Chùn Yuén Diaries 俊元日記 29

When we start our Chùn Yuén Quán 俊元拳 forms, why do we turn to the side to create an angle?

When we turn to the side, but still look to the front, it makes us more focused and prepares us for fighting. Standing to face our opponent straight on requires more concentration, as we must pay more attention, so we are not as focused. When we are face to face, we are naturally more relaxed. For example, if you are talking to a friend, you will talk to them face to face, and it is a good feeling. If we look at someone from an angle, then we are preparing for something, and this can be something good or something bad. If we are angry with someone or do not like someone, before it comes to a confrontation, we will look at them from the side. It may exacerbate the situation, or nothing may happen.

So, at the start of our Chùn Yuén forms, we stand at a 45-degree angle, but our head faces the front. This is to focus ourselves and prepare to fight and, even though we are just practising our forms, we need to have that fighting spirit.