GJFFK (Step 15)

FIngers Support Heaven

The translation for this one does not reflect how my school does this. After the final extension from number fourteen, on the fourth Tiger Claws ripping to the waist, we go into a Lance Hands (a poke to the eyes performed with both hands simultaneously). Once the eyes are poked, the elbows drop, and the hand are returned to the Four Fingers Support Heaven position. Unlike the drawing here, in my school the hand position is a true Fingers Support Heaven. The fingers will be slightly separated, and the thumb will be pointing forward, and pushed as far down as the joint will allow.

Some schools, including Master Lam himself (if one follows the text in the books to the letter), the lance hands will be directed to the torso of the opponent. A fingertip strike will not hurt your opponent if this is your target. It will damage you. There may be something I am missing in the translations. One should be careful in target selection. This falls into the category of the Inch Bridge. I would target the eyes, or barring that, a secondary target would be the throat.

 

My Forms: GJFFK (Step 14)

14

Throw Elbow Strike three times to balance three expansions

This is a part of the form where the pictures cannot possibly do justice to the beauty of the form itself.

From the final extension in number 13, transition from the One Finger Bridge hand into Tiger Claws. In a motion like splashing water in your own face, whip the hands up. The hands are then overturned, and in a downward ripping motion, the Tiger Claws will be brought to the waist. Once at the waist, the claws will be thrust outward into the opponent’s ribcage. All of these will be repeated three times.

This series of techniques has five working applications; here I will list the common. The rising motion at the start can work as a blocking technique to protect the head/face. In conjunction with the hands protecting the head/face, the elbows are striking the opponent. The ripping downward motion of the Tiger Claws has the obvious application of redirecting an attack, or shredding the opponent’s eyes. The blasting out with the Tiger Claws hitting the opponent’s ribs will seriously hamper their breathing.

This series of techniques is beautiful and is worth the time to study thoroughly.

 

 

My Forms: GJFFK (Step 13)

 

13

One finger, three extensions Elbow Strike

In this drawing, Master Lam is shown with his right hand in the one finger bridge position, and his left hand in a tiger claw position. So, you may have seen this posture look different.

From the previous position, simply curl all but the index fingers into a One Finger Bridge position. Inhale and sharply snap the hands up to the shoulders, which brings on a strike with the elbow to anyone close enough to be hit. The elbows drop, and as you exhale, press the One Finger Bridge hands forward with force. Do this three times.

 

 

My Forms: GJFFK (Step 12)

12

Steady the Golden Bridge

Prior to this movement, in my school, from position eleven we press the palms together and drive the hands, fingers first, into the opponent’s eyes. (This technique was picked up through the years and was not part of our Gung Ji originally.) Then we come to this movement.

From a position with the palms held together, the elbows will be dropped, and the hands separated. Press the thumb forward and down. The stance is still unchanged.

From the point of pulling the hands apart, there should be an inhale and as the elbows are lowered and the hands pressed into the position shown here, exhale.

 

 

My Forms: GJFFK (Step 11)

11

Raise Hands, Double Cutting Palm

Prior to ending in the posture shown, inhale and raise the fists. Next as the hands are driven into the position, exhale while pushing the hand. This is not to be done in a powerful snapping motion, but slower and strongly.

The hands will end slightly outward from the body. The elbows are turned outward, and the palms are facing the floor. Also, the fingers will be pointed somewhat toward each other.

The stance remains unchanged and stable. 

I tend to think of this in several ways, but my favorite is in pressing down on a person attempting to drive in and tackle me. There are many other uses for this technique, but I like this application.