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Wudang Daoist Traditional
Kungfu Academy
Wudang Cloud Hands (云手) — Yun Shou
What is Cloud Hands?
Cloud Hands, or Yun Shou (云手), is the most recognizable and beloved movement in all of Taiji. The arms circle like clouds drifting across the sky while the waist turns and the weight shifts from one rooted leg to the other. Though it appears in nearly every Taiji form, Cloud Hands is also practiced on its own as a flowing drill — a complete exercise in its own right.
Cloud Hands as the Essence of Taiji
Many masters call Cloud Hands the "mother" of Taiji because it contains the art's core principles in miniature: relaxed circularity, weight shifting, waist-led turning, and the constant exchange of full and empty. If a student truly understands Cloud Hands, they understand Taiji. It appears in Taiji 13, Taiji 28, and the 108 form alike.
Practicing Cloud Hands as a Standalone Drill
Practiced continuously, Cloud Hands becomes a moving meditation:
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Stand with feet shoulder-width, knees soft, spine tall
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Shift weight fully to one side as the same-side hand rises and the other sinks
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Turn the waist to lead the arms in a horizontal circle
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Alternate sides in a slow, even rhythm
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Keep the breath natural and the shoulders dropped
Health Benefits
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Loosens the shoulders, chest, and lower back
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Trains balance and weight transfer between the legs
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Massages internal organs through gentle waist rotation
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Calms the mind and regulates breathing
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An ideal daily practice alongside Zhan Zhuang and Qigong
How to Practice
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Cloud Hands can be done for a few minutes or a full session. Beginners start with slow repetitions focusing on the waist; advanced students add sinking, spiraling, and a soft protective intent in the hands.