Taijiquan Forms as taught by JC Carter

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 and the movements are precise and relaxed. Performing the movements allows the qi to flow freely through you, maintaining your health and vitality. By learning to practice in a meditative way, you learn to quiet your mind and move with confidence. By practicing with the body relaxed, you learn to keep the meridians open, channeling internal energy into the limbs, making the movements both powerful and effortless. Once you have learned and perfected the slow execution of the form, increase your speed until you can move at a "combat" speed and still have a free chi flow and effortless movement.

Taijiquan Frame

When transferring the qi from your feet to your waist, your body must operate as if all the parts were one; this allows you to move forward and backward freely with control of balance and position. Failure to do this causes loss of control for the entire body system. The only cure for such a problem is an examination of the stance. - Master Chang San-Feng (CA. 1200 C.E.)

"Frame" refers to the position of your body throughout the form.

With a couple of exceptions, your feet should always fall at shoulder width. In movements where you step forward or backward into six-four stance, if you were to turn your body to center between your legs, your feet would still be shoulder width.

Your knees should be bent as far as is comfortable for you at the moment, but you should work toward a deeper stance as your practice continues.

Your arms should be held away from the sides of your body. If you could feel the breeze in your armpits, your arms are in the right position.

Locate your perineum with your mind and line it up so it's pointing down, directly between your feet. Locate the top of your head and line it up with your perineum. Imagine a string tied to your perineum and it's pulling your weight down. Imagine another string tied to the top of your head and it's pulling you up. Equalize those two strings so you don't feel too heavy or too light.

Breathe slow and deep through your nose. Let the tip of your tongue touch the roof of your mouth.

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 the Taijiquan Frame)
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.