When paired with Contract (縮), Extend (伸), sometimes translated as "Stretch" is one of the attributes of the dragon (龍). Wang Xiangzhai (王薌齋) lists these attributes in the "Correct Path of Yiquan" (意拳正軌), extend, or stretch in this translation is the first one:
其為物也，能伸能縮，能剛能柔，能昇能降，能隱能現。
The things the dragon can do: it can stretch or shrink, can be hard or soft, can ascend and descend, can disappear and appear.
When put together, Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) we get the meaning of flexible, retractable, extensible (伸縮). The notion of flexibility is based on this combination. (伸縮性). The character for Extend (伸) is the basis for many related words: to spread (延伸), to reach out (伸手), to stretch (伸長), to stretch out one's arms or legs (伸開), to straighten (伸直), to spawn (衍伸). The character for Contract (縮) brings always the meaning of reducing as in to reduce or shrink (縮小), to shorten (縮短), to condense (凝縮), to compress (壓縮) or to cut back (緊縮).
Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) are one of the Complementary Pairs (陰陽) that frequently appear in the literature. They are closely related to Opening or Expanding (開) and Closing or Contracting (合) and other complementary pairs, as Wu Zhiqing (吳志青) mentions when he explains the name of Taiji Boxing (太極拳):
開者為伸為動。合者為收為縮為靜。開者為陽。合者為陰。放伸動者為陽。收縮靜者為陰。開合像一氣。運陰陽。卽太極一氣也。
Expanding is [releasing,] extending, and movement. Contracting is gathering, shrinking, and stillness. Expanding is active. Contracting is passive. Releasing, extending, and movement are active. Gathering, shrinking, and stillness are passive. Expanding and contracting are a continuous movement of passive and active, a taiji continuousness.
In the chapter Applying Power (用勁) of "Correct Path of Yiquan" (意拳正軌), Wang Xiangzhai (王薌齋) explains that Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) are the basis for developing power:
直竪長伸有攻守力，柔者縮短有驚彈力，
Straightness is extended long, having a force of attack and defense. Softness has a shorter range, having a force that is sudden and elastic.
Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) are also intimately linked with the qualities of the body, and it is the origin of the springy power (彈), as explained by Chen Yiren (陳亦人) in his Study of Liuhebafa (六合八法拳學);
因九節有伸縮之能，彙合於五總，其彈力自生，而後法定，法定而後術行。
The nine joints can extend and contract. Joined with the five allies, a quality of springiness will naturally be produced. The methods will thus be prepared and then the techniques will function.
The following passage deepens the explanation of how to practice Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) in the body, making the connection with Sinews (筋) and Bones (骨) in order to develop the characteristics and power of the dragon (龍). It is found in Taiji Boxing Explained (太極拳講義) by Tian Zhenfeng (田鎮峰):
『伸筋拔骨（此指初學而言）筋長力大。』誠哉是言也！手足能長，彈力必大；手足短縮，彈力必小。磨習旣久，自可由長而短，由大而小，伸縮往來，忽高忽低。放則能彌六合，卷則退藏於密；此即拳家之上乘也。
“Extend the sinews, reach with the bones. The lengthening of the sinews will lead to increased power.” True words indeed. If you reach longer with your hands and feet, you will develop greater springy force. If you are more withdrawn with your hands and feet, you will develop a smaller springy force. After practicing over a long period, you may then go from long to short, from large to small, go back and forth between being extended and withdrawn, and make your posture suddenly taller or suddenly shorter. [From the Zhongyong, preface:] “Sent out, it fills the world. Shrunk back, it hides in subtlety.” This describes the highest level of mastery.
In Taiji Boxing Explained (太極拳講義), Wu Gongzao (吳公藻) warns against being too deliberate about exerting effort to extend the sinews. Extend (伸) as any other part of the practice should be relaxed.
舒者。舒展之謂。故云先求開展。後求緊凑。初學盤架時。姿勢動作。務求開展。使全體關節。節節舒展之。然非故意用力伸張筋骨。於自然之中。徐徐鬆展。久之自然鬆活沉着矣。
Comfortable: having a sense of being stretched out.
It is said: “First strive to open up, then strive to close up.” When beginning to learn the solo set, the postures and movements should all be opened up, causing every joint in the body to get stretched one after another. However, this is not a matter of deliberately using any effort to extend the sinews and bones, just naturally and gradually loosening. Then after a long time, you will easily feel very relaxed and settled.
References:
王薌齋 Wang Xiangzhai, 意拳正軌 The Correct Path of Yiquan, Hong Kong, 1929, Translated by Paul Brennan, August 2016
陳亦人 Chen Yiren, 六合八法拳學 A Study of Liuhebafa Boxing, Hong Kong, 1969, Translated by Paul Brennan, May 2021
田鎮峰 Tian Zhenfeng, 太極拳講義 Taiji Boxing Explained, 1931, Translated by Paul Brennan, May 2021
吳公藻 Wu Gongzao, 太極拳講義 Taiji Boxing Explained, 1935, 湖南國術訓練所 Hunan Martial Arts Training Institute, Translated by Paul Brennan, December 2018
吳志青 Wu Zhiqing, 太極正宗 Authentic Taiji, 大東書局 Great East Bookstore, Sep, 1936 by Paul Brennan, October 2016
其為物也，能伸能縮，能剛能柔，能昇能降，能隱能現。
The things the dragon can do: it can stretch or shrink, can be hard or soft, can ascend and descend, can disappear and appear.
When put together, Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) we get the meaning of flexible, retractable, extensible (伸縮). The notion of flexibility is based on this combination. (伸縮性). The character for Extend (伸) is the basis for many related words: to spread (延伸), to reach out (伸手), to stretch (伸長), to stretch out one's arms or legs (伸開), to straighten (伸直), to spawn (衍伸). The character for Contract (縮) brings always the meaning of reducing as in to reduce or shrink (縮小), to shorten (縮短), to condense (凝縮), to compress (壓縮) or to cut back (緊縮).
Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) are one of the Complementary Pairs (陰陽) that frequently appear in the literature. They are closely related to Opening or Expanding (開) and Closing or Contracting (合) and other complementary pairs, as Wu Zhiqing (吳志青) mentions when he explains the name of Taiji Boxing (太極拳):
開者為伸為動。合者為收為縮為靜。開者為陽。合者為陰。放伸動者為陽。收縮靜者為陰。開合像一氣。運陰陽。卽太極一氣也。
Expanding is [releasing,] extending, and movement. Contracting is gathering, shrinking, and stillness. Expanding is active. Contracting is passive. Releasing, extending, and movement are active. Gathering, shrinking, and stillness are passive. Expanding and contracting are a continuous movement of passive and active, a taiji continuousness.
In the chapter Applying Power (用勁) of "Correct Path of Yiquan" (意拳正軌), Wang Xiangzhai (王薌齋) explains that Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) are the basis for developing power:
直竪長伸有攻守力，柔者縮短有驚彈力，
Straightness is extended long, having a force of attack and defense. Softness has a shorter range, having a force that is sudden and elastic.
Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) are also intimately linked with the qualities of the body, and it is the origin of the springy power (彈), as explained by Chen Yiren (陳亦人) in his Study of Liuhebafa (六合八法拳學);
因九節有伸縮之能，彙合於五總，其彈力自生，而後法定，法定而後術行。
The nine joints can extend and contract. Joined with the five allies, a quality of springiness will naturally be produced. The methods will thus be prepared and then the techniques will function.
The following passage deepens the explanation of how to practice Extend (伸) and Contract (縮) in the body, making the connection with Sinews (筋) and Bones (骨) in order to develop the characteristics and power of the dragon (龍). It is found in Taiji Boxing Explained (太極拳講義) by Tian Zhenfeng (田鎮峰):
『伸筋拔骨（此指初學而言）筋長力大。』誠哉是言也！手足能長，彈力必大；手足短縮，彈力必小。磨習旣久，自可由長而短，由大而小，伸縮往來，忽高忽低。放則能彌六合，卷則退藏於密；此即拳家之上乘也。
“Extend the sinews, reach with the bones. The lengthening of the sinews will lead to increased power.” True words indeed. If you reach longer with your hands and feet, you will develop greater springy force. If you are more withdrawn with your hands and feet, you will develop a smaller springy force. After practicing over a long period, you may then go from long to short, from large to small, go back and forth between being extended and withdrawn, and make your posture suddenly taller or suddenly shorter. [From the Zhongyong, preface:] “Sent out, it fills the world. Shrunk back, it hides in subtlety.” This describes the highest level of mastery.
In Taiji Boxing Explained (太極拳講義), Wu Gongzao (吳公藻) warns against being too deliberate about exerting effort to extend the sinews. Extend (伸) as any other part of the practice should be relaxed.
舒者。舒展之謂。故云先求開展。後求緊凑。初學盤架時。姿勢動作。務求開展。使全體關節。節節舒展之。然非故意用力伸張筋骨。於自然之中。徐徐鬆展。久之自然鬆活沉着矣。
Comfortable: having a sense of being stretched out.
It is said: “First strive to open up, then strive to close up.” When beginning to learn the solo set, the postures and movements should all be opened up, causing every joint in the body to get stretched one after another. However, this is not a matter of deliberately using any effort to extend the sinews and bones, just naturally and gradually loosening. Then after a long time, you will easily feel very relaxed and settled.
References:
王薌齋 Wang Xiangzhai, 意拳正軌 The Correct Path of Yiquan, Hong Kong, 1929, Translated by Paul Brennan, August 2016
陳亦人 Chen Yiren, 六合八法拳學 A Study of Liuhebafa Boxing, Hong Kong, 1969, Translated by Paul Brennan, May 2021
田鎮峰 Tian Zhenfeng, 太極拳講義 Taiji Boxing Explained, 1931, Translated by Paul Brennan, May 2021
吳公藻 Wu Gongzao, 太極拳講義 Taiji Boxing Explained, 1935, 湖南國術訓練所 Hunan Martial Arts Training Institute, Translated by Paul Brennan, December 2018
吳志青 Wu Zhiqing, 太極正宗 Authentic Taiji, 大東書局 Great East Bookstore, Sep, 1936 by Paul Brennan, October 2016
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