24-form tai chi

The 24-posture Simplified Form of tai chi chuan, sometimes called the Beijing form for its place of origin, is a short version of Tai Chi composed of twenty-four unique movements.

History

The form was the result of an effort by the Chinese Sports Committee, which, in 1956, brought together four tai chi teachers - Chu Guiting, Cai Longyun, Fu Zhongwen, and Zhang Yu - to create a simplified form of tai chi as exercise for the masses. The creators truncated the traditional Family style Tai 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 tai chi chuan, yet retain the traditional flavor of traditional longer hand forms (in general, 88-108 postures). 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 tai chi-form with the most practitioners in China and the world over (though no surveys have been performed).

Movements

Commencing (Qǐshì), Preparation, Beginning Part the Wild Horse's Mane (Yémǎ Fēnzōng) White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Báihè Lìangchì), Stork/Crane Cools Its Wings Brush Knee and Step Forward (Lōuxī ǎobù), Brush Knee and Twist Step Playing the Lute (Shǒuhūi Pípā), Strum the Lute, Play Guitar Reverse Reeling Forearm (Daojuan Gong), Step Back and Drive Monkey Away Left Grasp Sparrow's Tail (Zuo Lan Quewei), Grasp the Bird's Tail Ward Off (Peng) Rollback (Lu) Press (Ji) Push (An) Right Grasp Sparrow's Tail (You Lan Quewei) Single Whip (Danbian) Wave Hands Like Clouds (Yunshou), Cloud Hands, Cloud Built Hands, Wave Hands in Clouds Single Whip (Danbian) High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma), Step Up to Examine Horse Right Heel Kick (You Dengjiao), Separate Right Foot, Kick with Right Foot Strike to Ears with Both Fists (Shuangfeng Guaner) Turn Body and Left Heel Kick (Zhuanshen Zuo Dengjiao) Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg (Zuo Xiashi Duli) Single Whip Squatting Down, Snake Creeps Down, Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg, Golden Bird Standing Alone Right Lower Body and Bird Stand on One Leg (You Xiashi Duli) Shuttle Back and Forth (Yunu Chuansuo), Fair Lady Works with Shuttles, (Walking Wood), Four Corners Needle at Sea Bottom (Haidi Zhen) Fan Through Back (Shan Tong Bei), Fan Penetrates Back Turn Body, Deflect, Parry, and Punch (Zhuanshen Banlanchui) Appears Closed (Rufeng Sibi), Withdraw and Push, as if Closing a Door Cross Hands (Shizishou) Closing (Shoushi)

Variations

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

References

• Lee, Douglas (1976). Tai Chi Chuan: The Philosophy of Yin and Yang and Its Application. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 0-89750-044-X.

• Robinson, Ronnie (2006). Total Tai Chi: A Step-by-step Guide to Tai Chi at Home for Everybody. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 1-84483-262-7.

• Liang, Shou-Yu (1996). Tai Chi Chuan: 24 And 48 Postures With Martial Applications. YMAA Publication Center. ISBN 1-886969-33-7. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

• Kiew Kit, Wong (2002). The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3440-7.

See also

• Wushu (sport)
• 42-form tai chi chuan

External links

• Beijing 24 aka the 24 step form aka Simplified 24: Overview of the form with suggested reading, video clips and links to resources
• Simplified 24 Form T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Yang Style): Bibliography, Links, Quotes, Notes, List.
• Shouyu Liang & Sam Masich. Simplified 24 Taijiquan