24-form tai chi

The 24-posture Simplified Form of t'ai chi ch'uan, (Chinese: 太极拳; pinyin: Tàijíquán) sometimes called the Beijing form for its place of origin, is a short version of T'ai 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 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 about six 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). 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

Commencing (Qǐshì, 起势), Preparation, Beginning Part the Wild Horse's Mane (Zuoyou Yémǎ Fēnzōng, 左右野马分鬃), LEFT and RIGHT White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Báihè Lìangchì, 白鹤亮翅), Stork/Crane Cools Its Wings Brush Knee and Step Forward (Zuoyou Lōuxī Àobù, 左右搂膝拗步), Brush Knee and Twist Step, LEFT and RIGHT Playing the Lute (Shǒuhūi Pípā, 手挥琵琶), Strum the Lute, Play Guitar Reverse Reeling Forearm (Zuoyou Dào juǎn gōng, 左右倒卷肱), Step Back and Drive Monkey Away, LEFT and RIGHT Left Grasp Sparrow's Tail (Zuo Lǎn Què Wěi, 左揽雀尾), Grasp the Bird's Tail Ward Off (Peng, 掤) Rollback (Lǚ, 捋) Press (Jǐ, 擠) Push (Àn, 按) Right Grasp Sparrow's Tail (You Lǎn què wěi, 右揽雀尾) Single Whip (Dān biān, 单鞭) Wave Hands Like Clouds (Yúnshǒu, 云手), Cloud Hands, Cloud Built Hands, Wave Hands in Clouds Single Whip (Danbian, 单鞭) High Pat on Horse (Gāo tàn mǎ, 高探马), Step Up to Examine Horse Right Heel Kick (Yòu dēng jiǎo, 右蹬脚), Separate Right Foot, Kick with Right Foot Strike to Ears with Both Fists (Shuāng fēng guàn ěr, 双峰贯耳) Turn Body and Left Heel Kick (Zhuǎnshēn zuǒ dēngjiǎo, 转身左蹬脚) Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg (Zuo Xià shì dúlì, 左下势独立) 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 Xià shì dúlì, 右下势独立) Shuttle Back and Forth (Yòuzuǒ yùnǚ chuānsuō, 右左玉女穿梭), Fair Lady Works with Shuttles, (Walking Wood), Four Corners, RIGHT and LEFT Needle at Sea Bottom (Hǎidǐ zhēn, 海底针) Fan Through Back (Shǎn tōng bì, 闪通臂), Fan Penetrates Back Turn Body, Deflect, Parry, and Punch (Zhuǎnshēn Bānlánchuí, 转身搬拦捶) Appears Closed (Rúfēng shìbì, 如封似闭), Withdraw and Push, as if Closing a Door Cross Hands (Shízìshǒu, 十字手) Closing (Shōushì, 收势)

Variations

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

See also

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

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; Wen-Ching Wu (1996). Tai Chi Chuan: 24 And 48 Postures With Martial Applications. YMAA Publication Center. ISBN 1-886969-33-7.

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