Timing in the Song Xi Forms

The early Songxi forms are relatively easy to learn, at least in the basic sense. What seems to throw new students is the timing. Remember, you are responding to your opponent's reactions to you, and to their balance. When they pull back, you follow. When they bend their elbow, you accept it. This is an early stage of what Taiji practitioners call "yielding".

This should give you an idea of the timing. It should feel like a wave crashing and retreating, like a bamboo waving in the wind. It shouldn't be too fast, or you will be fighting your opponent.