Yang Form Photos | T'ai Chi for Life

Wu Chi

Total Emptiness

Total loss, inactivity, nothingness; dial down the noise from your chattering mind; insist on peace and quiet.

1. Become one with your environment (i.e., you are simply an artifact of that environment.)
1. Dial down; release and lose pressures that weigh upon you; center yourself.

T'ai Chi Opening

Horse Stance

Externally and internally, the whole body should be relaxed and completely natural.

1. Feet should be parallel, about shoulder-width distance apart.

1. Initially, fingers are forward, palms at 45, as if holding eggs under armpits. Your elbows should be slightly bent.

T'ai Chi Opening

The Floating Bubble

1. Hands should act as if strings were pulling the wrists upward.
1. Keep head upright, torso erect, eyes looking forward, attention inward.
1. Close the mouth, touch the tip of the tongue to the front of the palate, sink the shoulders, drop the elbows, and depress the chest

Ward-Off Left

Holding the Beach Ball

1. It should appear as if you are shaping a beach ball with your arms.
1. Keep your movements circular, your limbs rounded.
1. STEPPING: [Fishing Step] The thigh and hand circulate and support each other.

Ward-Off Left

Left Bow Stance

1. As you turn your waist, pivot 45.
1. Ward-off hand moves in an arc from waist (low) to chest (high).
1. Opposite hand moves to protect groin.
1. Keep head and spine erect.
1. Arms and groin are rounded.

Ward-Off Right

Grab the Soccer Ball

1. Ward-off hand moves in an arc.
1. Gather on the left side, as if holding a “soccer” ball.

Ward-Off Right

Right Bow Stance

1. Opposite hand follows, as if rolling, then compressing the ball.

Grasp the Bird's Tail

Reach right, Turn Hands

1. Reach out right
1. Roll back

Grasp the Bird's Tail

Roll back

1. Cast down

Wrist Press

Turn back to 3 o'clock

1. Turn and Press
1. Elbows form a triangle
1. This is a form of elbow strike

Chest Push

Sink back and Push Out

1. Pull back to waist, sink, push
1. SPINE: When the hands sink back, the sinking should come from the spine.
1. MOVING ENERGY: (NOTE: Outward and inward drawing of silk.) Ensure that there are no breaks as you expand and contract.

Single Whip

Elbow Strike, Protect Core

This is repeated often, as it opens all of the joints in the body.

1. Turn right toes inward
1. Sweep

1. STEPPING: [Horse Riding Step] Single Whip is a double-sinking step, with the form of one riding a horse.

Single Whip

Step behind, Face left

1. Turn back to right
1. Step, face to left
1. Left elbow should point toward ground
1. Hook at 45
1. Hips should be slightly open.
1. BODY: There should be no slanting or leaning.

1. STEPPING: After the stride, the head should be centered with the groin.

Hands High

(or Life Hands)

1. Align both arms over the right leg;
1. Left hand should be next to right elbow;
1. All weight should be over the left foot;
1. Right foot touches at heel.

Deflect Left

Throw Down

1. Receiving Energy.

Shoulder Block

Move Diagonal-Right

1. Bring the right foot back, then step to the 45º
1. This should be reminiscent of the Horse Stance: VERY stable.

White Crane Cools Its Wings

(Feather Step)

1. Bring left hip back
1. Shoulders should be relaxed and level
1. RECEIVING ENERGY: When raising the hand, fold from beneath, then go up.

1. STEPPING: [Feather Step] In White Crane Cools Its Wings, the top of the body rises and the inside receives. The point of the toe is lightly placed on the ground.

White Crane Cools Its Wings

(side view)

1. Keep arms rounded
1. Deflect from head
1. Protect groin

RECEIVING ENERGY: When brushing the knee with the other hand, your intention is to go down, so fold from the top.

Deflect Left

Facing 9 o'clock

Move the hand across the body by closing the left kua.

1. Keep centered over the right foot.
1. Drop the left heel gently as you compress.
1. RECEIVING ENERGY: The right hand moves to receive and deflect an opponent’s attack.
1. BODY: You should be centered and comfortable -- no leaning forward.

Deflect Right

Open and reach

1. Arms should appear rounded, as if holding an infant.

1. MOVING ENERGY: Ensure that there are no breaks when moving side to side.

1. STEPPING: [Breaking Step] In Brush Knee with Twist Step, before the stride, the heel should be empty, then very solid upon completion of the Brush Knee.

Step for Brush Knee

Torque and Compress

1. Apply “torque” to the upper arm, as if about to insert the little finger in the your ear.

1. STEPPING: Compress by gathering as you deflect, then expand into the Twist Step.

1. RECEIVING ENERGY: You intend to go back, so fold from the front.

Brush Knee and Twist Step

Bow Stance to 9 o'clock

Open to a forward BoW Stance, brushing the knee, and lightly grinding the rear heel in a Twist Step.

1. BODY: You should be centered and comfortable -- no leaning forward.

Brush Knee and Twist Step

Front view

1. Your deflecting energy is released with the trailing hand, directed by the waist.

Play Lute (or Play Guitar)

Use Sinking Step

Bring the right toes behind the left heel, rock back as you withdraw, close the kua, then sink into the right leg.

1. The left foot is unweighted, but touches at the heel.
1. The arms are positioned over the left leg, with the right hand next to the left elbow.

1. STEPPING: [Sinking Step] In Play Guitar, raise the thigh, then put it back down. When the thigh is lowered, it still contains the idea of circular motion.

Hit Gong and Deflect

Use Dragon Steps

Sink, use the slant step to pivot, com-press, and “hit gong” in preparation for the parry.

1. The Turn the Body Over step is shallow and unweighted.

1. STEPPING: [Turn the Body Over Step] After Hit Gong, place the spine in a position to revolve for striking, and begin Parry. The thighs must have outward and inward drawing of silk.

Parry and Prepare for Punch

Use Second Dragon Step

Use the left hand to deflect and target in preparation for the punch.

STEPPING: [Turn the Body Over Step] After Hit Gong, place the spine in a position to revolve for striking, and begin Parry. The thighs must have outward and inward drawing of silk.
Body: Shift the weight forward by pushing with left leg.

Step and Punch

Punch Power from Right Leg

1. Don’t over-extend
1. TOP OF HEAD: Ensure that the top of the head doesn’t lean forward.
1. SPINE: Ensure that the strike comes from the back.
1. STEPPING: Ensure that the body does NOT follow the steps.
1. COLLECTING ENERGY: The energy should suddenly collect as an outward drawing of silk.
1. STRIKING ENERGY: The strike is on the inside and centered.

T'ai Chi for Life

Learning to Live with Moving Meditation