Jingang Gong Part 7: Phoenix Wings, Circles and Bends

Step out and circle before turning and bending

Phoenix Spreads Its Wings (Feng Huang Zhan Chi Zhou Shen Li) begins with fists at the abdomen and a step left. The arms start left and circle up, right, and down before the turn, bend, and return upright. A picture of a bend shows only one moment.

Directions refer to the practitioner’s own sides.

Steps 1–7: step out and circle above the head

1. Prepare: continue from Part 6 with fists at the abdomen and feet apart.
2. Step left: move the left foot sideways into a wider stance.
3. Extend both arms left: open the fists, palms facing each other, with parallel arms at shoulder height.
4. Circle up: continue the arm route upward.
5. Circle right: pass above and toward the right.
6. Circle down: continue downward and make two further circles along the same route.
7. Pause above the head: on the third circle, pause briefly with the hands above the head.

This leads into the right-side wing sequence, but the arms begin by extending left. Remember the start of the circle as well as the later turn.

Steps 8–11: turn right and make the phoenix’s three bows

8. Turn right: turn the body right, lower the right hand, and keep the left hand overhead.
9. Bend toward the foot: let the waist lead as the left fingers point toward the right toes and the right arm opens backward and upward.
10. Rise and raise the hand: straighten the trunk and lift the left hand overhead again.
11. Repeat the bow: bend and rise again. The manual describes three consecutive downward-and-upward movements in this segment.

Step 12: spread the wings on the other side

After the right-side sequence, bring both hands up on the right, palms facing each other. Circle up, left, and down. Turn the body left, point the right hand toward the left toes, and extend the left arm backward. Complete the bends and returns in the opposite direction.

The manual groups the whole other-side sequence under step 12. It is not one pose or a shortcut that omits the circles.

Steps 13–14: finish the circle, close fists, return the foot

13. Finish the circle: move the hands left, up, and down to the right in one circle, ending at the lower abdomen.
14. Close fists and return the foot: close the hands, palm sides up, fists facing each other before the navel. Draw the left foot back.

Does “three nods” mean moving only the head?

No. It refers to three bends and returns upright after turning. On the right side, the left hand points toward the right foot and the right arm extends backward; reverse this on the other side. Do not force the body downward to match a pictured toe position. Range depends on the person and appropriate guidance.

Do not skip the foot return before Part 8

After both sides, complete the circle, bring the fists before the navel, and draw the left foot back to shoulder width. Part 8 then prepares the crossed hands, lifting and pressing down. Feet come together only at its step 6.

The foot position after Part 7 differs from the heel-raise position in Part 8. Continue to Part 8, preparation and heel movements.