Simplified Pictures of Tai Chi Chuan Movements 1

Directions are given in terms of the 12 hours of the clovk. Begin by facing 12 o'clock , with 6 o'clock behind you, 9 o'clock at your left and 3 o'clock at your right. Thus a turn to 1 o'clock is one of 30o to the right and a turn to 1-2 o'clock is one of 45 du.

Series I

Form I Commencing form

1. Stand naturally with feet shoulder-width apart, toes pointing forward, arms hanging naturally and ahands at your sides. Look forward (fig.1)
   Pointo to remember: Hold head and neck erect, with chin drawn slightly inward. Do not protrude chest or draw abdomen in . Be relaxed by alert.
2. Raise arms slowly forward and upward to shoulder level with palms facing downward ( Figs. 2-3)
3. Keeping torso erect, bend kness while pressing palms down gently, with elbows dropping to wards kness . Look forwar. (Fig. 4)
4. Point to remember: Hold shoulders and elbows down. Fingers are slightly bent. Weight is equally distributed between both legs. While bening knees, keep waist loose and relaxed and buttocks slightly pulled in. The lowering of arms should corrdinate with the bending of knees.

Form2 Part the Wild Horse's mane on Both Sides

1. Turn torso slightly to the right (1 o'clock) and shikt wight onto right leg. Raise right hand until forearm comes in front of right part of chest, while left hand moves in a downward are until it comes under right hand, palms facing each other as if holding a ball ( henceforth referred to as the " ball-holding gesture"). Bring left foot next to the right foot and riest toes on floor. Look at right hand. ( Figs, 5-6)
2. Turn body to the left(10 o'clock) while left foot steps forward towards 8-9 o'clcok, bending knee and shifting weight onto left , and right leg straightens with heel pressing down on floor to form a left " bow step" . As you turn your boy slightly leftwar, gradually raise left forearm obliquely to eye level with palm facing obliquely upward and elbow slightly bent, and lower right hand beside right hip with palm facing downwar and fingers pointing forward. Look at left hand. ( Figs. 7-9)
3. "Sit back" slowly-move torso backwar as if reay to take a seat-and shift weight onto right leg. Raise toes of left foot slightly and turn them outward beforeplacing the foot flat on floor . Then bend left leg and turn body to the left (5 o'clock), shifting weight back again onto left leg . Make a ball-holding gestures in front of left part of Chest , left hand on top. Then draw right foot forward to side of left foot and rest toes on floor. Look at left hand. (Figs. 10-12)
4. Take a right bow step by moving right foot a step towards 9-10 o'clock, straightening left leg with heel pressing on floor and bening right leg at knee. At the same time , turn body to the right (8 o'clock), gradually raise right hand obliquely up ward to eye level with palm facing obliquely upward to eye level with palm facing obliquely upward and elbows slightly bent, and press left hand down beside left hip with palm facing downward and fingers pointing forward. Look at right hand (Fig.13-14)
5. Repeat movements in 3) above, reversing "right" and "left". (Figs .15-17)
6. Repeat movement in 4) , reversing "right" and "left" (Figs. 18-19)

Points to remember: Hold torso erect and keep chest relaxed. Arms should move in an arc. Prevent arms from stretching out fully when separating hands. In turning body, waist serves as the axis. Tempo of movement in taking "bow steps" and in separating hands must be even and synchronized. When stepping forward, place your foot slowly in position, heel coming down first. Knee of leg in front should not go beyond toes, which should point forward; the rear leg should be slightly straightened, forming an angle of 45 degrees with ground. Heels should not be in a straight line, the distance between them bing 10-30 cm. Face 9 o'clock in te final position.

Form3 White Crane spreads Its Wings

1. Turn torso slightly to the left (8 o'clock). Make a ball-holding gesture in front of left part of chest, left hand on top. Look at left hand. (Fig. 20)
2. Draw right foot a half-step towards left foot and then "sit back". Turn torso slightly to the right (10 o'clock). Look at right hand with weight or right leg, mvoe left foot slightly forward and rest toes lightly on floor. (You have now taken a left " empty step ".) At the same time , turn torso slightly to the left (9 o'clock), and raise right hand until it is in front of right temple , palm turned inward, while left hand moves downward until it stops in front of left hp, palm turned down ward and fingers pointing forward. Look straight ahead.(Fig. 21-22)

Points to remember : Do not thrust chest forward. Arms should be rounded when they move up or down. Bend left leg slightly at knee. Shift of wight backward should be corrdinated with the raising of right hand. Face 9 o'clock in the final position.