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This ritual is called Bao Quan (抱拳), literally meaning "Fist Wrapping", and is a common etiquette derived from (but not exclusive to) Chinese Martial Arts. It is not necessarily a bow, but rather a salute. Traditionally, this is practiced by: Standing upright, the body straight. Clenching the right fist. Straighten your left palm to have your four fingers ...

There are many reasons for this action. It is, by the way, not the opening movement of a form, but a salute, a ritualistic motion. Here are a few reasons: Closed hand is aggression, fight & open hand is peace. Cover aggression with peace to indicate that there is such a power within you but you choose not to use it. Closed hand is yang, open hand is ...

One application is to capture a punch. If you enter the puncher's space, there's an arm break and/or a relatively violent takedown. It can be very similar to some silat takedowns. It can be a deflection and striking/throwing entry without any capturing or breaks. One application Attacker steps in with a right-hand punch. Defender outward-deflects punch ...

There are many applications, depending on what part of the single whip sequence one looks at. There is hooking and pull-down and push with the right hand at the beginning of the motion. Then there is a potential albeit well hidden elbow strike when turning around. Then there is a combination of a ward-off, pull-down and push, the end of which can be seen ...

In the system that I teach in, the left hand symbolizes the mind, the right symbolizes the body. We have three bows as you progress through training: For beginners, the hands are at the side in a fist to symbolize your mind and body are far apart. Roughly half way to Black Belt, hands together similar to the picture, however left hand fingers are straight ...