24-form tai chi chuan

The 24-posture Simplified Form of t'ai chi ch'uan, sometimes called the Beijing form for its place of origin, is a short version of T'ai chi composed of twenty-four unique movements.

Contents

History

The form was the result of an effort by the Chinese Sports Committee, which, in 1956, brought together four t'ai chi teachers - Chu Guiting, Cai Longyun, Fu Zhongwen, and Zhang Yu - to create a simplified form of t'ai chi as exercise for the masses. The creators truncated the traditional family style t'ai chi forms to 24 postures; taking between four and five minutes to perform and to give the beginner an introduction to the essential elements of t'ai chi ch'uan, yet retain the traditional flavor of traditional longer hand forms (in general, 88-108 postures).[1] Henceforth, this form was avidly promoted by the People's Republic of China for general exercise, and was also taught to internees in Communist "re-education" camps. Due to this official promotion, the 24-form is most likely the t'ai chi-form with the most practitioners in China and the world over (though no surveys have been performed).

Movements

  1. Commencing (Qǐshì, 起势), Preparation, Beginning
  2. Part the Wild Horse's Mane (Zuoyou Yémǎ Fēnzōng, 左右野马分鬃), LEFT and RIGHT
  3. White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Báihè Lìangchì, 白鹤亮翅), Stork/Crane Cools Its Wings
  4. Brush Knee and Step Forward (Zuoyou Lōuxī Àobù, 左右搂膝拗步), Brush Knee and Twist Step, LEFT and RIGHT
  5. Playing the Lute (Shǒuhūi Pípā, 手挥琵琶), Strum the Lute, Play Guitar
  6. Reverse Reeling Forearm (Zuoyou Daojuan Gong, 左右倒卷肱), Step Back and Drive Monkey Away, LEFT and RIGHT
  7. Left Grasp Sparrow's Tail (Zuo Lan Quewei, 左揽雀尾), Grasp the Bird's Tail
    1. Ward Off (Peng)
    2. Rollback (Lu)
    3. Press (Ji)
    4. Push (An)
  8. Right Grasp Sparrow's Tail (You Lan Quewei, 右揽雀尾)
  9. Single Whip (Danbian, 单鞭)
  10. Wave Hands Like Clouds (Yunshou, 云手), Cloud Hands, Cloud Built Hands, Wave Hands in Clouds
  11. Single Whip (Danbian, 单鞭)
  12. High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma, 高探马), Step Up to Examine Horse
  13. Right Heel Kick (You Dengjiao, 右蹬脚), Separate Right Foot, Kick with Right Foot
  14. Strike to Ears with Both Fists (Shuangfeng Guaner, 双峰贯耳)
  15. Turn Body and Left Heel Kick (Zhuanshen Zuo Dengjiao, 转身左蹬脚)
  16. Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg (Zuo Xiashi Duli, 左下势独立)
    1. Single Whip Squatting Down, Snake Creeps Down,
    2. Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg, Golden Bird Standing Alone
  17. Right Lower Body and Bird Stand on One Leg (You Xiashi Duli, 右下势独立)
  18. Shuttle Back and Forth (Youzuo Yunu Chuansuo, 右左玉女穿梭), Fair Lady Works with Shuttles, (Walking Wood), Four Corners, RIGHT and LEFT
  19. Needle at Sea Bottom (Haidi Zhen, 海底针)
  20. Fan Through Back (Shan Tong Bi, 闪通臂), Fan Penetrates Back
  21. Turn Body, Deflect, Parry, and Punch (Zhuanshen Banlanchui, 转身搬拦捶)
  22. Appears Closed (Rufeng Sibi, 如封似闭), Withdraw and Push, as if Closing a Door
  23. Cross Hands (Shizishou, 十字手)
  24. Closing (Shoushi, 收势)

Variations

5-Section Taijiquan: includes 5 routines, each modelled on the choreography of the Beijing 24-Taijiquan-form.

References

  1. ^ EverydayTaiChi.com

See also

External links