T’ai Chi Beginner Summary

The Form is divided into 3 parts, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. This is part 1, Beginner. These directions assume the front wall is the north wall.

V stance	Bend knees; tuck hips; lift chest and crown; relax; breathe; feel the earth; smile
Salutation	Breathe in
Sink	Breathe out
Salutation	Breathe in
Horse	Shift Right; step Left toes; shift Left; pivot Right heel; shift to Center
Right Crystal Ball	Shift Left; turn Right; pivot Right heel; Right hand over Left. Shift Right; pivot Right heel; hips to North-East
Present	Hips to North
Left Block, Adjust	Step Left heel; shift Forward; Left hand hugs; Right hand pats
Left Crystal Ball	Shift Right; turn Right; pivot Left heel; shift Left; Left hand over Right
Right Block, Adjust	Step Right heel; shift Forward; Right hand hugs; Left hand pats; hips to East
Right Crystal Ball	Shift back; turn Right toward Southeast; Right hand over Left
Swing (Left)	Shift Forward; turn Left to East; swing ball in front of body
Left Crystal Ball	Shift back; turn Left toward Northeast; rotate ball Clockwise, Left over Right
Swing (Right)	Shift Forward; turn Right to East; swing ball in front of body
Right Crystal Ball	Shift Back; turn Right toward Southeast; rotate ball Counter-clockwise
Swing (Left)	Shift Forward; turn Left to East; swing ball in front of body
Left Crystal Ball	Shift back; turn Left toward Northeast; rotate ball Clockwise, Left over Right
Present	Turn Right to East, no weight shift
Block and Grab	Shift half-way Forward; Right hand in high hug; Left hand faces forward
Press	Complete shift forward; press Left wrist into Right wrist; hands like wings
Roll	Pivot wrists as you bring elbows in; hands support a ball from below
Separate	Separate elbows; face palms Forward
Withdraw	Shift Back; lower hands
Push	Shift Forward; push from the Tan T’ien
Drop	Palms face down
Wipe	Shift Left; turn Left to Northwest; pivot Right heel
Gather Water, Adjust	Shift right; 3-point balance; Right hand over Left; adjust Right Foot
Single Whip, Adjust	Step Left Heel; Left hand moves left; turn left palm forward as shift forward
Welcome	Shift Right; turn Right; pivot Right heel; hands high. Shift Left; circle hands to 9:00 and 3:00
Right Scissors	Left hand faces Right Elbow; step Right heel (no weight)
Rest	Palms on crease between legs and abdomen; 3-point balance
Elbow (Shoulder) Strike	Step and pivot Right heel; head North; hips West; Left hand to Right forearm
White Crane Spreads Wings	Right hand blocks high; Left hand pats low
Step, Left Foot	Into left bow stance
Right Swim	Shift Forward; Right hand to front of body; shift back; hips toward Southwest; Right hand to Left side of body; switch hands to Left over Right
Left Swim, Brush Knee Right	Shift Forward; hips to West; both hands to front of body; shift Back; hips toward Northwest; switch hands to Right over Left
Right Swim, Brush Knee Left	Shift Forward; Right hand to front of body; shift back; hips toward Southwest; Right hand to Left side of body; switch hands to Left over Right
Left Swim, Brush Knee Right	Shift Forward; hips to West; both hands to front of body; shift Back; hips toward Northwest; switch hands to Right over Left
Strike, Right Hand (Right foot comes forward)	Shift Forward; extend Right palm edge; Right foot moves forward a few inches.
Left Scissors	Shift Back onto Right Foot; Right palm faces Left elbow
Deflect Downward	Hands to Right side; Right palm up; Left down
Double Brush Knees	Shift Forward; turn Left to West; palms down
Extended Swim, Brush Knee	Shift Back; turn Ssouthwest; hands left over Right; shift Forward; extend Left palm edge
Withdraw	Shift Back; hands to Right hip; palms down
Twist Step, Left	Turn to Southwest; Pivot Left heel; hands to Left hip; step onto Left foot
Twist Step, Right (Make Fist)	Step Right heel; turn to Northwest; pivot Right heel; thrust Left hand forward; bring Right fist to Right hip palm up. Step onto Right foot
Straight Step, Fist Strike Knee	Step into Left bow stance; turn hips to West as you punch low
Brush Elbows, Right	Turn right to North-West; Left hand brushes by Right forearm
Brush Elbows, Left	Turn Left to West; Right hand brushes by Left forearm
Withdraw	Shift Back; lower hands
Push	Shift Forward; push from the Tan T’ien
Upward Double Block	Shift Right; turn Right; pivot Left heel; hands high. Shift Left; circle hands down
Cross Hands	Cross wrists, Right behind Left; circle hands up, then toward you, then down. Scissors out; separate hands
Close	Lower hands to starting position

Yang Style Short Form per the Shen Tao Institute, Dennis Reynolds, Ph.D., Lic.Ac., Director

Last Updated: 10/23/2001