在家中练习太极拳的武术教程，特别是猫形步的慢练法，这一招在传统太极拳中被视为一种高级技巧，但却不常见于书籍和杂志上。它要求练者以轻灵稳健的姿态行走，就像猫一样敏捷而自如。

学习猫形步之前，我们通常会用前脚去，然后后脚撑。但是在太极拳中，“迈步如猫行”就不能这样做。名家郝少如先生曾经说过：“不许后脚用力，要让前脚站稳了，然后慢慢地移动后脚，而且当后脚置于前时，在重心未移到那边时，还要能够无需费力地回抽。”我的恩师林墨根先生也曾强调：“太极拳中的猫形步体现了腰胯带动四肢的虚实运动，要下苦功把这个步骤练到位，虽然辛苦但能增强腰腿的松弹沉稳之劲。”

cats move by lifting one leg while the other three legs support their body weight. Humans, on the other hand, lift one leg and only have another to support them. The lifted leg should be slightly bent to support the entire body weight, requiring balance and coordination. One must also “always pay attention to the waist,” making it even more challenging for the supporting leg.

The cat form step is closely related to waist and hip movements in Tai Chi. As a Tai Chi enthusiast pursuing martial arts techniques, if you don’t train your waist and legs well, you will limit your martial art skills due to a lack of foundation.

There are two forms of cat form steps: slow practice and fast practice. Generally speaking, you should master slow practice first before moving on to fast practice.

When starting with right foot forward and left foot backward in a horse stance position (right bow stance), first relax the perineum (when stepping forward) or lower abdomen (when stepping backward), look up towards front upper direction. From right knee joint looseness down through ankle bone point (Yongquan acupoint) at heel side 45 degrees outwards until both feet touch ground solidly stable with body coordination then rotate hips slowly towards right side until left heel lifts off from ground.

Next relax left shoulder when feeling more stable sensation with right foot. Then relax both inguinal fossae on sides of small intestine downward walking groove area at each side of abdomen followed by rotating hips toward left side simultaneously guiding intention through navel center while tilting head upward slightly as practiced above turning around till Yongquan acupoint at left heel lifts off from ground.

Third make right buttocks sink downwards tucked inwards; pull up some forwards upwards into outward abdominal muscle tension while pulling up onto toes but keep knees loose so that sole leaves contact with floor solely by big toe tip only leaving floor contact solely by big toe tip alone as done above gradually shifting load back onto front sole keeping softness throughout process then smoothly transferring all four limbs' stability from beginning into standing posture after completion via coordinated movement without pause between steps like floating effortlessly across water surface maintaining inner quiet stillness within which maintains momentum leading an effortless walk resulting in harmonious coexistence between inner strength & external appearance externally showing poised equilibrium & internally containing dynamic movement flowing freely like an unobstructed river current running downhill over smooth stones along its banks having traveled long distances naturally reaching serene still pond calm waters reflecting mountain peaks far away looking peaceful yet not stagnant just like opening door allowing fresh breeze enter room cleaning dust away keeping everything new again every day morning sunlight enters window waking sleeping beauty inside house where she dreams about beautiful flowers blooming everywhere outside her windowsill...