Article Title: A Closer Look at the Circling Palms of Uechi Ryu / Pwangainuun

Author: Rick Wilson
Photos: Louie Ouimet

Bio: Sensei Rick Wilson has been training in martial arts since he was a child; He has had brief training in Boxing, Judo, Jujitsu, and Tae Kwon Do. He then focused on the art of Uechi Ryu Karate Do/Pwangainuun Chu'an Fa.

Abstract: The Wauke or two handed circle block is part of many styles. It is a major part of Uechi Ryu Karate Do (Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa – original name). It permeates every form. While I will be using the term Wauke in this article, “circle block” is a misleading name. It tends to lock the view of this tool into a limited perspective. The term Circling Palms is much closer for my interpretation of this incredible movement.

INTRODUCTION

The Wauke or two handed circle block is part of many styles. It is a major part of Uechi Ryu Karate Do (Pwangainuun Chu’an Fa – original name). It permeates every form.

While I will be using the term Wauke in this article, “circle block” is a misleading name. It tends to lock the view of this tool into a limited perspective. The term Circling Palms is much closer for my interpretation of this incredible movement.

Reviewing the use of the palms in other Chinese based systems (Crane systems, Southern Praying Mantas, Xing Yi Chuan and Bagua Zhang for example) opens up an entirely different view of the Wauke than is often held.

Description of the motions of the Circling Palms (Wauke)

Both arms are involved in a proper Wauke.

I will refer to them as MAJOR and MINOR arms; however, this does not refer to importance only size of the arc of movement. I will break the activities of the Major and Minor arms down into movements One, Two and Three for each arm.

Please note that the accompanying photographs are mere moments in time. These positions are transitional and are never meant to be held. The photos may appear to show a weak point; however, when the movements are done at “speed” these are fast and accompanied by a sticky hand guiding of the aggressor’s limbs.

The Major Arm

Movement One: Drops downward from a defensive position with the palm toward the body so that at the end of the movement the hand is slightly laterally rotated (angled to the outside of the body - thumb/palm rotates in towards the body). The arm has now dropped so that it is in line with the outside right edge of the body. This is accomplished with by a rotation and sinking of the knees which drives the qwa (the line between the pelvis and the thigh) which drives the shoulders which drives the elbows.

• This movement can be used to intercept and deflect a straight punch, kick or grab. (Figure 1a)

  Figure 1a

  
  
• This movement can also be used as a low strike to the groin of an attacker from the side. (Figure 1b)

  Figure 1b

Movement Two: The arm then is moved across the body until the outer edge of the hand is inline with the opposite outside edge of the body. The palm begins to rotate back so that it is directly facing the body. Again this movement is done with a rotation and sinking of the knees.

• This movement can be used to intercept and deflect a low strike, like a kick to the groin. (Figure 2a)

  Figure 2a

  
  
• This movement can also be used as a low strike to the groin of an attacker from the side. (Figure 2b) This is an adductive strike.

  Figure 2b

Movement Three: The arm then begins to rise and follow an elliptical pattern out away from the body. This ellipse is set on an inclined plane with the top portion tipping away from you. The arm moves along this ellipse with the forearm shearing/cutting a path up and outward. As the arm shears through the top portion of the ellipse, it drops/rips back into Sanchin position. The ellipse should never exceed the edge of your body, but should cover shoulder width and head high (it is like tracing an outline of your body.) Again this movement is done with a rotation and sinking of the knees.

• This movement is very effective in meeting a hooked sucker punch. (Figure 3a)

  Figure 3a

  
  
• This movement can also be a powerful strike to the side of the neck as it shears out through the movement. (Figure 3b)

  Figure 3b

A variation of this movement is to raise the arm to the first shoulder with the palm up and then rotate the palm over as you complete the movement. This should be performed much like the Heaven Palm of Bagua Zhang. (Figure 3c)

Figure 3c

The Minor Arm

Please note that in the full Wauke movement the Major and Minor arms as performed in forms will move almost simultaneously and match the movements One, Two and Three respectively. The knee actions that power these movements will also be the same as for the Major Arm movements. This is what the Taiji classics refer to as being “in harmony”.

Movement One: The forearm is brought across the body until it reaches the centre line. Make sure that the arm does not come in toward the body but maintains its position and even appears to press outward. This movement is done with the knees and the guiding arm moves outward NOT straight across. This increases your window of opportunity in deflecting an incoming blow.

• This is a commonly seen movement used as a parry or guiding intercept of a strike. (Figure 4a)

  Figure 4a

  
  
• This movement can also be used as a heel palm strike. (Figure 4b)

  Figure 4b

Movement Two: The arm begins to rotate the palm inward and circles until the palm passes in front of the face ending at the edge of the body (fingers pointing up).

• This movement can be a real quick life saving inner hook parry to a headshot. This movement MUST be done as a continuous circle sticking to the aggressor’s limb and leading them through the movement. This is not a static position. To pause here would allow the aggressor to simply collapse their arm into an elbow strike. (Figure 5a)

  Figure 5a

  
  
• This movement can be used for a shot to the side of the neck when someone tried to close in and grab. You can collapse into your own elbow strike from this position.(Figure 5b)

  Figure 5b

Movement Three: The arm rotates rolling/circling back out in a very thin ellipse of its own to come back into Sanchin position.

• This movement can be a powerful reaching pinning controlling grappling hook block great for hooking sucker punches. (Figure 6a)

  Figure 6a

  
  
• This movement can also be a ripping tearing shearing strike as it drives back out into Sanchin position. (Figure 6b)

  Figure 6b

Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Figure 8a	Figure 8b
Figure 8c	Figure 8d
Figure 8e	Figure 8f

Figure 8g

The Wauke is designed to provide a flowing continuous attack to be used in your defense. I will illustrate with one example and leave the rest to your imaginations as you train with this wonderful movement.

1. The aggressor is coming in to grab you with one hand and intending to strike you with the other (a common street attack). Using the principle of closing you aggressively come forward. You use Major Arm Movement One to sweep the aggressor’s striking hand downward (and to the side if possible). Simultaneously you use Minor Arm Movement One to deliver a heel palm strike to the aggressor’s face. (Figure 9a)

   Figure 9a

   
   
2. The Minor Arm Movement Two rotates the palm through the chin of the aggressor driving the head farther back and to the side opening up the side of their neck for a strike. (Figure 9b)

   Figure 9b

   
   
3. Major Arm Movement Three strikes up into the side of the aggressor’s neck. Simultaneously the Minor Arm Movement Three strikes out to grip and control the aggressor’s arm and balance positioning them to be slammed into the ground. (Figure 9c)

   Figure 9c

Summary

A close examination of the Circling palms of Uechi Ryu will broadened your applications of your forms by an amazing level.

This is a phenomenal movement that enhances interception and striking, trapping and striking. It is truly a movement for all occasions.

There are, of course, many other principles that must be used as you apply the Circling Palms - avoidance, slipping, closing, shearing and the use of the void, but this basic article should allow you to explore and discover.