Step 15: 如封似闭 (Withdraw, Close Up and Push)

1. With your left thumb being the pivot lightly touching the inner portion of your right elbow, rotate your palm outwards such that the 4 left fingers circle outwards until the left palm opens to cradle the right elbow from below. At the same time, feel your right fist lifted up slightly and opens.
2. Relax your shoulders, fold your right lower arm in towards your upper left arm and then spread both lower arms out in front of you until they are parallel to each other, horizontal and both open palms (relaxed and slightly curved) facing each other. At the same time, sink more weight onto your right leg (which is behind) while you straighten the left knee joint by sinking your left hip joint. Do not be seen as if you are shifting backwards or raising your body height, or 'bob' up and down. At the pause, both lower arms should be relaxed and soft to the touch, yet extremely heavy when felt by another person.
3. Next, sink forward as you bend your left knee and feel both your elbows bending in and raising both your palms; as opposed to you deliberately lifting both your palms up. Bear in mind that both the elbow tips point directly downwards and not slanted.
4. Invoke the 'Gong Tui' (躬腿) and the recoil up through the right leg will propel both palms to turn outwards and pushes out.
5. Again, sink down, sinking more weight onto the right leg (which is behind), bending the right knee and tuck in deeper your hip joint (胯) at the left side and straightening the left knee. Simultaneously, relax the shoulders and lower both the palms (still facing outwards and down) with the hinge being at the elbows until both lower arms are horizontal and pointing towards an apex in front.