The Beijing 24 Short Form - Tai Chi Transformation

The Beijing 24 Form

The Beijing 24 posture Simplified Form of Tai Chi Chuan (太极拳), named for its place of origin and sometimes called the Peking form, is a short version of Tai Chi composed of twenty-four unique movements. This form is sometimes called the Yang 24 in honor of the source of these sequences, but the Yang family has since developed other variations of shorter forms. This very popular 24 posture set is now most commonly called the Beijing 24 to avoid confusion.

History

The Beijing 24 posture Simplified Form was created by the Chinese Sports Committee 1956. The Committee brought together four Tai Chi teachers – Chu Guiting, Cai Longyun, Fu Zhongwen, and Zhang Yu – to create a simplified form of Tai Chi as exercise suitable for the general public. The creators truncated the traditional Yang family style Tai Chi forms to 24 postures; taking about six minutes to perform and to give the beginner an introduction to the essential elements of Tai Chi Chuan, yet retain the traditional flavor of traditional longer hand forms (in general, 88-108 postures). Henceforth, this form was avidly promoted by the People’s Republic of China for general exercise, and was also taught to internees in Communist “re-education” camps. Due to this official promotion, the 24-form is most likely the Tai Chi form with the most practitioners in China and the world over (though no surveys have been performed).

Movements

1. Commencement (Qǐshì, 起势)
2. Part the Wild Horse’s Mane (Zuoyou Yémǎ Fēnzōng, 左右野马分鬃), Left and Right
3. White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Báihè Lìangchì, 白鹤亮翅)
4. Brush Knee and Step Forward (Zuoyou Lōuxī Àobù, 左右搂膝拗步), Left and Right
5. Playing the Lute (Shǒuhūi Pípā, 手挥琵琶)
6. Step Back and Repulse Moneky (Zuoyou Dào juǎn gōng, 左右倒卷肱), Left and Right
7. Left Grasp Sparrow’s Tail (Zuo Lǎn Què Wěi, 左揽雀尾)
1. Ward Off (Peng, 掤)
2. Rollback (Lǚ, 捋)
3. Press (Jǐ, 擠)
4. Push (Àn, 按)
8. Right Grasp Sparrow’s Tail (You Lǎn què wěi, 右揽雀尾)
9. Single Whip (Dān biān1. , 单鞭)
10. Wave Hands Like Clouds (Yúnshǒu, 云手)
11. Single Whip (Danbian, 单鞭)
12. High Pat on Horse (Gāo tàn mǎ, 高探马)
13. Right Heel Kick (Yòu dēng jiǎo, 右蹬脚)
14. Strike to Ears with Both Fists (Shuāng fēng guàn ěr, 双峰贯耳)
15. Turn Body and Left Heel Kick (Zhuǎnshēn zuǒ dēngjiǎo, 转身左蹬脚)
16. Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg (Zuo Xià shì dúlì, 左下势独立)
1. Snake Creeps Down,
2. Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg
17. Right Lower Body and Stand on One Leg (You Xià shì dúlì, 右下势独立)
18. Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (Yòuzuǒ yùnǚ chuānsuō, 右左玉女穿梭), Left and Right
19. Needle at Sea Bottom (Hǎidǐ zhēn, 海底针)
20. Fan Through Back (Shǎn tōng bì, 闪通臂)
21. Turn Body, Deflect, Parry, and Punch (Zhuǎnshēn Bānlánchuí, 转身搬拦捶)
22. Apparent Closing (Rúfēng shìbì, 如封似闭)
23. Cross Hands (Shízìshǒu, 十字手)
24. Closing (Shōushì, 收势)

In This Section

• Beijing 24 Short Form

More to Come

The Beijing 24 Short Form section is still under development. Additional training information is coming soon.