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Traditional Yang Family T'ai Chi Chuan
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Traditional Hand Form. A quick introduction:

 

1st Section

(Of the 16 named moves, 5 are repeats.)

 

1.  Preparation
2.  Beginning 

3.  Grasp the Bird's tail
4.  Single whip

5.  Raise Hands and Step Forward

6.  White Crane Spreads its Wings
7.   Left Brush Knee and Push
8.  Hand Strums the Lute 
9.  Left Brush Knee and Push
10.  Right Brush Knee and Push  
11.  Left Brush Knee and Push
12.   Hand Strums the Lute

13.  Left Brush Knee and Push

14.   Step forward, Parry Block and Punch

15.  Apparent Close Up
16.  Cross Hands


Closing

 

The Ripley Tai Chi Club practises Tai Chi both as a way to maintaining health and with a nod at attempting to understanding what the 'Form' moves mean.

 

These applications are demonstrated to give you an insight into the internal imaginations of what the movements are. 

 

You don't have to physically do these moves, but rather use your imagination so you have an idea of why and where you are moving. They are not the only interpretations, but seem to rather be carefully chosen applications that come close to fitting how we move from one point to another.

 

Some are very similar to the form, some are not. In reality each named gesture has dozens of meaning: The 'Form' is the 'Form'. It's not my form, but passed on from generation to generation. Each person offers their own interpretations but the moves are set. You have to be reasonable about how accurately you can perform the movements and must suit them to your own ability and build, but it's a good idea to be clear in your own mind where these differences are and be forthright about it.

 

A good yardstick is to stay within your own comfort zone.

 

 

There are 5 Steps: Forwards, Back, (Look) Left, (Gaze) Right, Centre.

There are 8 Gates: Ward Off, Roll Back, Press, Push, Pull, Split, Elbow Strike, Shoulder Stroke.

 

Hand can be Flat Palm / Sitting / Hanging Palm, Fist or Hook

 

There are also Named Postures / Stances and Kicks.

 

So when we do the 'Form' we do Ward Off Left stepping forwards, turning to the Right, looking to the Right, Connect, Pull and Split.

 

But you could do it with the same steps with a Pull and Roll Back, or Pull and Shoulder Stroke. But the second two would not look as much like the form.

 

Ward Off  Right does do the technique as Ward Off Right with a Roll Back, Press and Push. But it looks very different from Ward Off Left, but it's still a Ward Off.

 

Blah, Blah, Blah.. I know what you are thinking. Fortunately, the names aren't very important, T'ai Chi is a bit like the Nike Slogan. Better to "Just do it." and not go too deep too quickly. But at least if you feel you want to, the option is there.

 

Some people practise by connecting Chi Points, Holding Balls, copying movements by repetition. All are just different teaching methods some more foggy than others. It's in doing the 'Form' it becomes clear. 

  

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