Since I started practising Tai Chi seven year ago, my love for the game increases every day, thanks to the benefits I reap from each session. 

However, I have noticed that mastering all the 108 movements of the long-form Tai Chi is not a walk in the park, and this is one of the major reasons why most beginners quit in their early stages.

Luckily, experts developed the Tai Chi Short form to help beginners learn the basics before proceeding to the advanced levels.

This article explains Tai Chi short form and its variations…

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Table of Contents -

What is Tai Chi short form?

Tai Chi short form, popularly known as Yang style 24 short form, is a shortened form of the 108 long form.

The style was created by a group of Taichiquan experts in 1956, based on Yang Style Taichiquan and is made up of slow continuous postures and movements in a graceful manner.

Each posture flows to another without posing and is coordinated with breathing, as it is a norm with all Tai Chi forms.

Names of the 24 Movements

  • Commencing Form
  • Parting the Horse’s Mane
  • White Crane Spreads its Wings
  • Brush Knee
  • Playing the Lute
  • Repulsing the Monkey
  • Grasping the Bird’s Tail on the Right
  • Grasping the Bird’s Tail on the Left
  • Single Whip
  • Cloud Hands
  • Single Whip
  • High Pat on the Horse
  • Kick Out with the Right Heel
  • Double Punch
  • Turn, Kick Out with the Left Heel
  • Serpent in the Grass on the Right, Golden Cockerel Stands on its Left Leg
  • Serpent in the Grass on the Left, Golden Cockerel Stands on its Right Leg
  • Maiden Working the Shuttles
  • Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
  • Flash Arms like a Fan
  • Turn, Deflect, Parry and Punch
  • Apparent Closing and Push
  • Cross Hands
  • Closing Form

You will perform the moves correctly if your body should move as a unit.

Additionally, the timing and movement of all body parts should start and end at the same time.

Variation of Tai Chi

This Tai Chi short form has 5-section Taijiquan, and each modelled on the choreography of the Beijing 24 Taijiquan form.

The first one is a bare hand solo form, which is also used as a template for a two-person form, solo sword form, a Chen style variation and a two-person sword form.

The system was created by Sam Masich, an experience Yang style practitioner.

Conclusion

Through the above movements, you will learn the basics of Tai Chi, which are required before proceeding to the next level.

Thanks to its simplified form, anyone can practise the Tai Chi short form, with or without an instructor.

Following the movements strictly will give you the desired results within a short time. All the best with your Tai Chi!

Categorized in:

Tai Chi