These are the movements of the official Tai Chi 24-form, which is often referred to as the "Simplified" form. Because tai chi is passed down in an oral tradition, forms tend to slowly evolve and change based on the students and the teacher's understanding, body type, and preferences. But, this Simplified 24-form is standardized and is used in performances and competitions around the world. The form listed and shown below is an authentic and accurate version of the 24-form. The author's father, Grandmaster Liang Shou-Yu, was a student and then a teacher of tai chi in China at the time this form was created and popularized.
Be sure to watch the video for an artistic look at Master Helen Liang's 24-form.
Section 1
- Commencing Form
起勢
Qishi - Left and Right Part the Wild Horse's Mane
左右野馬分鬃
Zuo You Ye Ma Fen Zong - White Crane Spreads Its Wings
白鹤亮翅
Bai He Liang Chi - Left and Right Brush Knee and Push Forward
左右摟膝拗步
Zuo You Lou Xi Ao Bu - Playing Lute
手揮琵琶
Shou Hui Pi Pa
Section 2
- Repulse Monkey Left and Right
左右倒卷肱
Zuo You Dao Juan Gong - Grasp Sparrow's Tail Left
左攬雀尾
Zuo Lan Que Wei - Grasp Sparrow's Tail Right
右攬雀尾
You Lan Que Wei - Left Single Whip
单鞭
Dan Bian
Section 3
- Wave Hands Like Clouds
雲手
Yun Shou - Left Single Whip
單鞭
Dan Bian - High Pat on Horse
高探馬
Gao Tan Ma - Right Heel Kick
右蹬脚
You Deng Jiao - Strike to the Ears with Both Fists
雙峰貫耳
Shuang Feng Guan Er - Left Heel Kick
轉身左蹬腳
Zhuan She Zuo Deng Jiao
Section 4
- Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg
左下勢獨立
Zuo Xia Shi Duli - Right Lower Body and Stand on One Leg
右下勢獨立
You Xia Shi Duli - Fair Lady Works with Shuttles
右左玉女穿梭
You Suo Yu Nu Chuan Suo - Needle at Sea Bottom
海底针
Hai Di Zhen
Section 5
- Fan Through the Back
閃通背
Shan Tong Bei - Turn Body, Deflect, Parry, and Punch
轉身搬攔捶
Zhuan Shen Ban Lan Chui - Apparent Closure
如封似閉
Ru Feng Si Bi - Cross Hands
十字手
Shi Zi Shou - Closing Form
收勢
Shoushi
