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.
- Opening of Tai Chi
- Wuji becomes Taiji (legs open and body assumes "frame")
- Circle of Light exercise
- Opening Movement
- Grasp the Bird's Tail Right
- Left-handed Crane
- Ward Off Right
- Grasp the Bird's Tail Left
- Right-handed Crane
- Ward Off Left
- The Waves Go In - the Waves Go Out
- Roll Back and Push Up
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike
- Rock Forward, Roll Wrists and Press
- Separate Hands and Push
- Single Whip
- Separate hands and Split Attack
- Turn around and strike right, then left
- Play Guitar (right-handed lead)
- Reverse Throat Strike
- Elbow Strike
- Crane Spreads Wings
- Play Guitar (left-handed lead)
- Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
- Slant Flying
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Right
- Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Right
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Left
- Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Left
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Right
- Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Right
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Left
- Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Left
- Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
- Step Out and Hammer
- Sweep the Foot and Ram
- 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.
- Embrace Tiger, Return To Mountain
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Iron Whip
- Step out on first strike
- Pivot left on second strike
- Cobra Strike
- Repulse Monkey (four steps back)
- Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
- Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
- Raise Arms Like Fan
- Back Fist Strike
- Step Back, Sweep the Foot and Ram
- The Waves Go In - the Waves Go Out
- Single Whip
- Wave Hands Like Clouds (three steps to the left)
- Blooming Lotus
- Palm Strike
- Kicking Sequence
- High Block
- Right Rear Snap Kick
- Right Wheel Kick
- Duck
- Rise with High Block
- Left Front Snap Kick
- Turn Left
- Left Toe-Trap
- Left Dragon Stomp
- Slant Flying (two steps)
- Ram to the Ground
- Step Out and Hammer
- Step Back, Sweep Foot and Ram
- Right Crane Kick
- High Block
- Rear-Leg Snap Kick
- Two-step Throwing the Tiger
- Two-step Striking the Tiger
- Wind to the Ears
- High Block
- Duck
- Front Snap Kick to the Groin
- Knee Strike
- Wind to the Ears
- Double Throat Strike and Turn Right
- High Block
- Duck
- Front Snap Kick to the Groin
- Knee Strike
- Wind to the Ears
- Turn with One Step
- High Block
- Duck
- Front Snap Kick to the Groin
- Ram
- 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.
- Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Single Whip
- Parting the Wild Horse's Mane (three sets)
- Grasping the Bird's Tail Right
- Grasping the Bird's Tail Left
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Single Whip
- Beautiful Lady Works the Shuttles
- Turn right with Right Crane
- Step forward left with Left Crane
- Step behind with right and pivot with "T" Block
- Form Right Crane
- Step forward right with Left Crane
- Step behind with left and "T" Block
- Pivot out to form Right Crane
- Step back to Left Crane
- Step down to "T" Block
- Form Right Crane
- Grasping the Bird's Tail Left
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Single Whip
- Wave Hands Like Clouds (three steps right)
- Single Whip Strike
- Snake Creeps Down
- Golden Cock Stands on Right Leg
- Golden Cock Stands on Left Leg
- Dragon Stomp Left
- Repulse Monkey (four steps back)
- Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
- Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
- Raise Arms Like Fan
- White Snake's Tongue Leaps Out
- High Block, Step Up and Ram
- Pass Through to Throw, Step and Push
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Quarter-turn to Single Whip
- Blooming Lotus
- Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
- Slant Flying, Striking with Palms (three steps)
- Left Leg Kick
- Repulse Monkey, Striking with Palms (two steps)
- Stroking the Wild Horse's Mane
- Step Out and Hammer
- Sweep the Foot and Ram
- End of Taiji, Return To Wuji