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Yang style "Old Frame" 108 Movement Long Form of Taijiquan

The Yang 108 Movement "Old Frame" form is divided into three forms: Short form, Second form, and Third form. Once all the forms are learned, they are practiced as the 108 Movement Long form.

The form is practiced slowly; the movements precise and relaxed. Performing the movements allows the chi to flow freely through the practitioner, maintaining health and vitality. By learning to practice in a meditative way, the practitioner learns to quiet the mind and move with confidence. By practicing with the body relaxed, the practitioner learns to keep the meridians open, channeling internal energy into the limbs, making the movements both powerful and effortless. Once the practioner has learned and perfected their slow execution of the form, they are encouraged to increase their speed until they can move at a "combat" speed and still have a free chi flow and effortless movement.

Yang Short Form

The Yang "Short form" is a series of 27 movements which moves the chi one revolution through the body. The Short form introduces several moves that are repeated throughout the Long form and provides the foundation for all Taiji movement. The "13 Postures" of Tai Chi are found in the Short form.

  1. Opening of Tai Chi
    1. Wuji becomes Taiji (legs open and body assumes "frame")
    2. Circle of Light exercise
    3. Opening Movement
  2. Grasp the Bird's Tail Right
    1. Left-handed Crane
    2. Ward Off Right
  3. Grasp the Bird's Tail Left
    1. Right-handed Crane
    2. Ward Off Left
  4. The Waves Go In - the Waves Go Out
    1. Roll Back and Push Up
    2. Roll Back to Reverse Strike
    3. Rock Forward, Roll Wrists and Press
    4. Separate Hands and Push
  5. Single Whip
    1. Separate hands and Split Attack
    2. Turn around and strike right, then left
  6. Play Guitar (right-handed lead)
  7. Reverse Throat Strike
  8. Elbow Strike
  9. Crane Spreads Wings
  10. Play Guitar (left-handed lead)
  11. Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
  12. Slant Flying
    1. Roll Back to Reverse Strike Right
    2. Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Right
    3. Roll Back to Reverse Strike Left
    4. Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Left
    5. Roll Back to Reverse Strike Right
    6. Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Right
    7. Roll Back to Reverse Strike Left
    8. Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Left
  13. Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
  14. Step Out and Hammer
  15. Sweep the Foot and Ram
  16. Apparent Closing

Yang Second Form

The Yang "Second form" builds on to the movements of the Short form, demonstrating the full range of movement and combat technique offered through Taijiquan practice. The Second form continues directly from Short form, hence the movement name, "Apparent Closing," above.

  1. Embrace Tiger, Return To Mountain
  2. The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
  3. Turn to Iron Whip
    1. Step out on first strike
    2. Pivot left on second strike
  4. Cobra Strike
  5. Repulse Monkey (four steps back)
  6. Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
  7. Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
  8. Raise Arms Like Fan
  9. Back Fist Strike
  10. Step Back, Sweep the Foot and Ram
  11. The Waves Go In - the Waves Go Out
  12. Single Whip
  13. Wave Hands Like Clouds (three steps to the left)
  14. Blooming Lotus
  15. Palm Strike
  16. Kicking Sequence
    1. High Block
    2. Right Rear Snap Kick
    3. Right Wheel Kick
    4. Duck
    5. Rise with High Block
    6. Left Front Snap Kick
    7. Turn Left
    8. Left Toe-Trap
    9. Left Dragon Stomp
  17. Slant Flying (two steps)
  18. Ram to the Ground
  19. Step Out and Hammer
  20. Step Back, Sweep Foot and Ram
  21. Right Crane Kick
    1. High Block
    2. Rear-Leg Snap Kick
  22. Two-step Throwing the Tiger
  23. Two-step Striking the Tiger
  24. Wind to the Ears
    1. High Block
    2. Duck
    3. Front Snap Kick to the Groin
    4. Knee Strike
    5. Wind to the Ears
    6. Double Throat Strike and Turn Right
    7. High Block
    8. Duck
    9. Front Snap Kick to the Groin
    10. Knee Strike
    11. Wind to the Ears
    12. Turn with One Step
    13. High Block
    14. Duck
    15. Front Snap Kick to the Groin
  25. Ram
  26. Apparent Closing

Yang Third Form

The Yang "Third form" closes out the series with a few challenging movements. Third form continues directly from the "Apparent Closing" of the Second form.

  1. Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain
  2. The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
  3. Turn to Single Whip
  4. Parting the Wild Horse's Mane (three sets)
  5. Grasping the Bird's Tail Right
  6. Grasping the Bird's Tail Left
  7. The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
  8. Turn to Single Whip
  9. Beautiful Lady Works the Shuttles
    1. Turn right with Right Crane
    2. Step forward left with Left Crane
    3. Step behind with right and pivot with "T" Block
    4. Form Right Crane
    5. Step forward right with Left Crane
    6. Step behind with left and "T" Block
    7. Pivot out to form Right Crane
    8. Step back to Left Crane
    9. Step down to "T" Block
    10. Form Right Crane
  10. Grasping the Bird's Tail Left
  11. The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
  12. Single Whip
  13. Wave Hands Like Clouds (three steps right)
  14. Single Whip Strike
  15. Snake Creeps Down
  16. Golden Cock Stands on Right Leg
  17. Golden Cock Stands on Left Leg
  18. Dragon Stomp Left
  19. Repulse Monkey (four steps back)
  20. Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
  21. Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
  22. Raise Arms Like Fan
  23. White Snake's Tongue Leaps Out
  24. High Block, Step Up and Ram
  25. Pass Through to Throw, Step and Push
  26. The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
  27. Quarter-turn to Single Whip
  28. Blooming Lotus
  29. Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
  30. Slant Flying, Striking with Palms (three steps)
  31. Left Leg Kick
  32. Repulse Monkey, Striking with Palms (two steps)
  33. Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
  34. Step Out and Hammer
  35. Sweep the Foot and Ram
  36. End of Taiji, Return To Wuji

Opening Movement

Left Crane

Ward Off Right

Right Crane

Ward Off Left

Roll Back

Roll Back

Roll Back