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Tai Chi "108 forms"

Introduction

The "108 forms" Tai Tzi Tsuan (Tai Chi) set of techniques is a "traditional" form of the

Yan style. It presents the style almost eactly as it !as oriinally introduced #y Yan $u

Chan. If you are loo%in for the spirit of the Yan style& you need to learn it.

The 108 is the third (amon '& 0 and 108)& the lonest one. If you are already familiar

!ith the "0 forms"& learnin "108" is ust the mater of remem#erin the order of

already familiar techniques. *o!e+er& the o+erall feelin is quite different& some people

may say that the "0 forms" is #etter for them& and some prefer "108 forms".

,ote& that This form (as !ell as t!o shotter ones) is #oth meditation and martial. In

terms of martial applications& you !ill find the "108" quite similar to "0"& ho!e+erthare are some important differences& that ma%es it richer. -s for the meditation aspect&

you !ill find it +ery po+erfull& #oth #ecause of the !ay techniques are arraned& one

after another& and #ecause it simply is the lonest one.

Tai Tzi means "the reat limit". Tsuan means "fist". The fist of the reat limit. The

"limit" is a metaphor here& as many other thins in Chinese philosophy& there is no limit&

#ut only our quest for it.

Fair warning

ne disad+antae the #oo% has& !hen you compare it to the li+e class is the fact& that in

the class the teacher can repeat the "rules" many times. $i%e "%eep your #ac% straiht".

In the #oo% I can only do it here and there& other!ise the #oo% !ill #e too lon.

,e+ertheless& there is a reason teachers repeat these rules& and the reason is / the

students& especially the #einners& #rea% these rules 2Y time they can. This !as

your fair !arnin. $earn the "rules"& or find some other name for !hat you are doin& as

it is not oin to #e "Tai Chi".

Points

In the tet& I am referrin to some points located on the enery meridians. The list of

points can #e found at the !e# site.

Sample

1. Preparation.

,orth

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Initial position3 heels toether& toes toether& %nees straiht& #ut not loc%ed (ust slihtly

#ent). 4alms are turned to!ards the #ody& touchin the sides of the thihs.

In this position& enter the "Chi 5un state"& also called "6/dzi" ("6" as in "#oo%")& the

state of a complete mental relaation& !ith no thouhts.

7eel your #ody ro!in& and dissol+in. f course& at the #einnin you !ill ust

pretend to #e relaed& later this state !ill #ecome natural for you.

Concentrate on the #ai huei point (top of the head)& then mo+e your attention to the

lo!er dan tan.

2. Step ut! aise and #ower $ands

,orth

"4ull" your #ody toether aain& mo+in your attention and your !eiht to your riht

side& startin from the riht foot at the end& 100 percent of your !eiht should #e onyour riht foot.

-s your left foot #ecomes "empty"& step to the left !ith your left foot& %eep your !eiht

on the riht foot. It should #e as it your left foot stepped to the left #y itself. -s your

riht %nee remains (almost) straiht& the only !ay to do this step is #y puttin the left

foot on its toes. 7irst& the thum# of the left foot touches the round& then the second toe

("pointin finer")& the third& and so on. In the same time& #ein shiftin your !eiht to

the left.

-fter all toes are on the round& %eep mo+in your !eiht to the left& so that the outer

ede of the left foot ets in touch !ith the round& first its front part& then the middle&

then the outer side of the heel.

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-t the end& your !eiht should #e distri#uted equally #et!een left and riht feet.

9y mo+in your !eiht from the thum#& #y the circle to the heel& you are creatin the

initial "spin"& as all tai chi mo+ements are #ased in the ne+er/endin circles. This same

circular motion creates the initial spin in your lo!er dan tan (feel it& or at least %eep

your attention there).

-lso notice& that the point in the middle of your foot (yn tsuan& see the list of points at

the !e# site) should not #e pressed aainst the round& it is +ery close& #ut if you ta%e a

strip of paper& you should #e a#le to push it under your foot& from the side of the thum#.

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That means& that the !eiht is more on the outer ede of the foot& then on the inner side.

*o!e+er& in the same time& the thum# must touch the floor.

-fter the !eiht is on #oth feet& !e need to turn our palms so that they face #ac%!ards.

To do it& first& lift your #a#y finer from the surface of your thih& as if it "%no!s" !here

the palm !ill #e& and is oin there. Then lift the rin finer& and so on& e+ery timeturnin the palm a little& too. The last& thum# is turnin. :eep your attention at the

finer that currently mo+es. -lso& ma%e sure your dzan dzi points (shoulders& see the

list of points at the !e# site) are relaed.

,ote& that all that !as said at the !e# site a#out the !ay your palms should #e in Chi

5un& applies to Tai Chi as !ell. The finers should #e straiht& formin a line (not an

arch) !ith the palm. There should #e an arch #et!een the thum# and the pointin finer

(not a sharp anle)& and there should #e an arch #et!een the thum# and a #a#y finer

(!hich means the thum# should not #e in the same plane !here the palm is).

The "meanin" of our steppin to the side !ith focus on the circles !as "!a%in up" the

circles in the lo!er dan tan and in our #ody in eneral. The "meanin" of the net form

is to "a!a%en" our palms.

Imaine that there are t!o spheres& size of a foot#al #all& riht at the le+el of your

palms. You need to allo! your palms to mo+e around them& #rushin their surface. In

the same time& as your attention oes to your palms& the palms should #ecome !armer.

;hen you practice Chi 5un lon enouh& you !ill #e a#le to turn your palms red ust

#y focusin on them.

This little su#/form ta%es a#out < seconds to complete (you can do it slo!er if you

choose to). -s your palms mo+e& they may turn a little& to point at < derees to the

sides.

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-fter your palms mo+ed all the !ay #ac%& mo+e them for!ard at the same traectories&

to end up in the position !here you ha+e started (finers pointin do!n& palms turned

#ac%).

,ote that !e only mo+e (#end and turn) palms& el#o!s and shoulders are not supposed

to mo+e durin this eercise.

Imaine& that your hands are +ery (infinitely) lon& that they o do!n in the round.

:eep your attention at the points dzan dzi at your shoulders& ma%in sure the shoulders

are relaed and do!n. *ands should ,T #e tense.

9rin your hands up/for!ard to the shoulder le+el& %eepin the feelin that they are

+ery lon. The coccy should #e turned for!ard& or (the same thin) you should push

your min men point #ac%& %eepin your #ac% flat& !ith no cur+e for!ard in the !aist. If

you do it correct& you !ill #e a#le to raise your hands !ithout usin physical strenth&

e+en if someone stayin in front of you is holdin your !rists. You !ill push himfor!ard& !hile the force he applies to you !ill o do!n& throuh the middle of your

feet& into the round. ,ote& that if your #ac% is not flat& this same force !ill #rea% your

#alance and you !ill fall #ac%.

Then (do not thin% of lon hands anymore) #end your hands slihtly& and allo! your

hands to o do!n& until the anle #et!een them and your #ody is a#out =0 derees. -ll

this time your palms should #e parallel to the round.

;hile #rinin hands do!n& #end your %nees& so that your #ody mo+es do!n to the

"!or%in" depth (Chi >hi). The "!or%in" depth is personal for e+eryone. 5enerally

spea%in& the deeper you sit& the #etter& #ut most people cannot do that -,? in the sametime to follo! multiple rules and restrictions (mentioned #oth in this tet and at the !e#

site). The !ay it is sho!n at the picture is fine for an a+erae Tai Chi student.

The most important thin to %eep im mind !hen choosin the "!or%in de#th"& as !ell

as !hen doin -,YT*I,5 in Tai Chi& is ,T to #rea% rules. $et@s say you are oin

do!n #y #endin your %nees. Then at some point you !ill reach a limit. To sit lo!er&

you !ill either ha+e to #end for!ard (aainst the rules3 you must %eep your #ac%

straiht)& or to mo+e your coccy #ac% (aainst the rules3 it !ill #end your lo!er #ac%

for!ard. The lo!er #ac% must #e straiht& you should al!ays push the "min men" point

#ac% a little #it). r you !ill ha+e to mo+e your !eiht to your toes& !hich is !ron&

too. Therefore& you should not o do!n #elo! that limit. ,ote& that reconizin yourlimits (and fiin pro#lems as they appear) and opponent@s limits (and forcin him to

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#rea% them& and therefore to loose the #alance) is an important part of Tai Chi martial

techniques.

%. &ard'ff #eft

,orth

6nli%e in 7orm '& in 7orm 108 !e may turn on the "loaded" foot. To comply !ith the

Tai Chi rules& !e need to ma%e this foot empty ;IT*6T physically mo+in our #ody

to!ards the other foot. It may seem impossi#le& #ut is& as the mater of fact& simple.

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-s your !eiht is on your "loaded" foot& mo+e your attention up& from the foot to the

lo!er dan tan (it may loo% as a little mo+e #ac% and then for!ard aain). -s the result&

for a moment& your foot !ill #ecome "empty"& !hile still carryin your #ody !eiht.

-t the follo!in picture& !e mo+e the attention ("chi"& actually) up& ma%in the foot

empty& and then turn the front foot. ,ote& that the "coordination" rule still applies& !ecan only turn the foot toether !ith hips.

Ao+e your !eiht to the riht foot and turn < derees riht (,orth/ast& ,). In the

same time& "ta%e the #all"& left hand at the #ottom of an imainary sphere& riht hand at

top.

;e need to step ,orth from the position descri#ed a#o+e. 7irst& #rin your empty (no

!eiht on it) left foot to!ards the riht foot (din #u position& facin ,).

Then turn left (,)& and do an empty step ,orth !ith your left foot. ,ote that (you

should al!ays %eep in mind thins li%e that as doin 7orm 108 assumes that you are an

"ad+anced" student) !e plan to end up in oon #oo position at the end of the form. It

means that you should not put your left foot to the line that oes ,orth from your rihtfoot. If you do it& then your feet !ill #e too narro! and you !ill not #e a#le to do a

proper oon #oo position. Instead& you need to step ,; (still facin ,orth)& it !ill

uarantee& that in the final oon #oo position your feet !ill #e shoulder!idth apart.

,ote also& that the left foot still points ,orth (as your hips are turned ,orth).

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In the same time !ith the empty step& mo+e your left hand up& finers point to the riht&

!rist (!here you !ould usually !ear !atches) pointin outside. Ao+e the riht hand

do!n& palm do!n& finers pointin for!ard. *alf/!ay& !hen your hands meet& the

finers of your riht hand should touch the inner side of the left !rist (the pulse). ;e do

not eaerate it in this form& #ut this is a (reduced) push& as if you are ma%in your

personal space larer #y pushin !ith your riht hand onto your left hand and !ith your

left hand onto your opponent. nce aain& in this form it is ust somethin to %eep in

mind& not the actual push. In the same time (!hen hands touch each other) your left heel

should touch the floor.

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Ao+e B0 of your !eiht to your left foot to end up in the left oon #oo facin ,orth.

-s you are mo+in your !eiht& mo+e your left hand for!ard at the le+el of your

middle dan tan (the heart)& as if you are pushin aainst somethin. Your riht hand

oes do!n and to the side. It ends up at the le+el of your hip& =0 derees for!ard fromthe plane !here your #ody is (see "rules" listed at the !e# site).

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Turn riht (ast) on your loaded left foot& the final position is riht din #u& hands

holdin a #all.

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(. )rasp the sparrow*s tail

ast

Initial position3 left din #u& hands in the "holdin a #all" position& facin ast.

This form is one of the most important in Tai Chi& as it includes most of its #asic

principles.

Phen +pheng,

9loc% the attac% at the face le+el !ith your riht hand. The palm oes up approimately

to the eye le+el& at the #einnin its thum# is up (he u point up)& at the end it should #e

#a#y finer up.

The hand is lifted only #y the shoulder oint& !hile the el#o! does not #end. :eep in

mind that& as al!ays& the shoulder should remain relaed& and ?;,& do not lift the

shoulder (#y "shoulder" here !e mean the shoulder oint& as the hand oes up& the

shoulder oint should o do!n).

In the same time& #rin your left hand to!ards the solar pleis& #y the small cur+e&

#loc%in it& palm for!ard& finers up.

In the same time do an empty step for!ard at < derees& heel touches the floor first.

Ao+e your !eiht for!ard& to end up in the riht oon #oo& facin ast.

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#ui

"5i+e the hands a!ay"& enterin a fully relaed state. +ery mo+e in Tai Chi #eins and

ends in a fully relaed (not !ea%& #ut mentally relaed) state called "u dzi" ("u" as in

"#oo%"). The relaation is an inner thin& some %ind of readiness to mo+e in any

direction !ithout resistance or delay. -lso& %eep in mind& that "relaed" hands ha+e

nothin to do !ith hih amplitude !a+in hands& the "lui" is a compact and fully

controlled technique. -s soon as you enter an empty state& the net mo+ement !ill

appear #y itself& from this emptiness.

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Turn #oth hands. If the palm !as up& it !ill #e do!n& if it !as do!n& it !ill face up. In

our case& turn the riht hand palm do!n& and left hand palm up. :eep your palms

parallel to the round and at the same le+el. It is necessary to loc% your opponent@s

el#o! properly (as one of the possi#le interpretations). :eep your finers straiht / e+en

if you !or% !ith the real partner& this is a push !ith palms& not a rasp.

The idea of lui (there are many +ariations of this technique) is to uide opponent@s

po!er& so that you are unaffected& !hile he loses #alance.

Turn the #ac% (left) foot a little #it outside& mo+e your !eiht on it& and pull opponent@s

hand in front of your center (lo!er dan tan)& parallel to the round.

,ote& that the term "pull" a#o+e is not quite correct. You are not pullin& #ut rather

pushin do!n !ith your hands and mo+in your opponent around #y turnin your hips.

-s you turn your hips& the foot of the front (riht) le should turn& too& pointin in thesame direction !ith hips.

-lso note& that !e are ,T mo+in hands side!ays on this technique. They are in front

of our #ody all the time. 9y turnin our hips& !e may create an illusion of hands mo+in

to the side& #ut it is ust an illusion. This is a +ery important detail& used in many martial

arts& from Tai Chi& to -i%ido3 !hen you pull !ith your hands& you can only produce a

fraction of the po!er that you can create #y turnin hips instead. This is a simple

mechanics3 your hips are stroner than your hands.

-lso& if you pull #y mo+in your hands to the side& your riht armpit !ill e+entually

close& !hich is aainst the principles. Your opponent can use it #y pushin on yourel#o!& if the armpit is closed& you !ill ha+e no po!er to push #ac%.

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-i

Ao+e your front (riht) hand #y the circle do!n& then up in front of your solar pleis.

The final position should #e the follo!in3 the hand (from the !rist to the el#o!)

parallel to the round and to the chest& the distance #et!een the hand and the chest is

a#out t!o !idths of a palm. The left hand touches the riht !rist (a #a#y finer is at the

pulse)& finers of the left hand pointin up. If you stay in front of the mirror& you should #e a#le to see finers of your left hand& ecept for the last (closer to !rist) oints.

Ao+e your !eiht to the front foot (oon #oo position)& push for!ard !ith your riht

hand (#et!een !rist and shoulder)& and push at your riht hand !ith your left palm.

*o!e+er& durin the !eiht transition your riht hand should remain at the same

distance from your chest. It means& as in the "lui" a#o+e& that !e are usin the po!er of

hips& not the po!er of hands. nly at the end you may "etend" the circle your hands

formin& as if you #reath in& increasin your personal space. -t that point your hand

may mo+e for!ard a #it& increasin the distance #et!een it and your chest.

:eep your attention at the lao un point (see list of points& a!aila#le at the !e# site)&and ma%e sure your finers are straiht and stretched out& as opposed to half/#ent and

!ea%.

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/n

-llo! your left hand to "cra!l" for!ard around the riht !rist (from the thum# D pulse

to!ards the #a#y/finer)& the final position is3 hands etended for!ard at the shoulders

le+el& !rists crossed. Aa%e sure !rists are straiht (not #ent).

The "an" means "!a+es".

Ao+e your !rists apart& in the position "hands are for!ard at the le+el of shoulders".

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Ao+e your !eiht on the #ac% foot& in the same time hands mo+e a little #it side!ays

and do!n. Then push for!ard& thin% of pushin opponent@s shoulders.

6nli%e in 7orm '& in 7orm 108 !e do not lift the foot !hen mo+in !eiht #ac% (in

this particular eercise).

,ote& that you shouldn@t mo+e your hands do!n too much& or you may end up in a

position& from !hich it is not comforta#le to perform a push for!ard.

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Transition to the net form

Turn left on the loaded riht foot& 180 derees. Your #ody should rotate around a

+ertical spine& !ithout mo+in !eiht to the other foot.

?urin this spin& your hands should slide alon the inner surface of an imainary sphere

(or cylinder)& imaine& that you are #ein pushed #ac% and you need to turn and to direct

the pushin force around you. Your #ody is turnin usin this imainary "pushin force&that comes to you throuh your hands. ?o not #end your el#o!s.

It is important to %eep in mind that this turn& as !ell as all Tai Chi mo+es& oriinates in

your hips.

9rin the left foot to the riht foot& its toes touchin the floor (din #u position& facin

;est). $ater in the net form it !ill do a step ;est& to end up in a left oon #oo position

(;est).

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. Single whip.

;est

Initial position3 left din #u& facin ;est. 2iht hand forms a "cla!"& at the le+el of a

shoulder& left hand is palm up& its finers touchin the riht !rist at the pulse area.

*o! to form a "cla!" (a hoo%)3 the four finers should touch the side of a thum#&

imitatin the rasp on an imainainary opponent@s hand. ? ,T #end the !rist.

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?o an empty step to!ards ;est !ith the left foot& heel do!n& at < derees& so that !e

e+entually end up in a proper oon #oo.

Ao+e the riht hand #ac% a little #it& #ut ma%e sure it is still =0 derees for!ard and

,T in the same plane !here the #ody is. In the "!hip"& at the +ery end& !e are oin

to turn the #ody riht a little& and it may create an illusion of the riht hand #ein in thesame plane !ith the #ac%. It is not so& it is still =0 derees& as stated in the "rules" at the

!e# site.

-s you turn your #ody& the left hand mo+es too& toether !ith the shoulder and ,T #y

itself. -t the end of a turn& the riht hand oes a little (ust a little) up& and the left hand

oes a little #it do!n. In the same time& the left !rist #ends up& #ut ust slihtly& the

!rist is still almost straiht.

In the final position your shoulders should #e turned inside a little #it more than your

hips. Your left hand should #e at the shoulder le+el.

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:eep in mind& that all mo+es come from the hips. 4articularly& in the "!hip"& you need

to turn first& and only then to do an empty step. It is not allo!ed to turn and step in the

same time.

6nli%e in 7orm '& !here the opponent@s punch is aimed at your face& in the 7orm 108 it

is aimed at your chest. Your #loc%in (left) hand should mo+e accordinly.

The meanin of this form is3 1) !hile turnin& !e ha+e #loc%ed the opponent@s punch&

and lifted his hand. ') !hile doin an empty step& !e pushed his hand to the side. =)

!hile mo+in for!ard into a un #o position& !e pushed his hand do!n !ith our hand.

:eep in mind& that hands and les should mo+e in a synchronized !ay. This is the

reason Tai Chi is called a dynamic meditation / #y doin comple synchronized forms

!e achie+e the inner emptiness and relaation. In this particular form !e ha+e = parts

(turn / step / oon #oo) and = hand techniques& synchronized toether.

-lso %eep in mind (as al!ays) that the center of ra+ity should not o up and do!n / itis mo+in parallel to the round.

:eep your hands "lon"& do not #end el#o!s too much& and do not #rin your hands too

close to your #ody. If you do it in a com#at situation& the punishment !ill follo!&

immediately.

. aise $ands! Shoulder Stro3e

,

Turn riht (,orth/ast) on your loaded left foot and #rin #oth hands do!n #y circles&

half !ay they mo+e do!n/outside& the second half do!n/inside (to!ards the central

line). -s your hands o do!n& the thum#s should point do!n.

Turn palms finers up and #rin hands up in front of your #ody.

In the final position& finers of the left hand should point at the riht el#o!& and the

finers of the riht hand should point up. The riht hand (its finertips) is at the le+el of

your chin.

You are no! in the sui #u position& the front foot is touchin the floor !ith its heel.Aa%e sure your armpits are "empty".

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,ote that it is a "position"& not a martial technique. You are supposed to simply raiseyour hands& not to #loc% or attac% someone. ;e simply did openin and closin and

ended up in sui #u facin ,.

9y the !ay& reardless the fact that& unli%e in ' forms& !e do not ha+e to mo+e the

!eiht on the #ac% foot in order to turn the front one& nothin pre+ents you from doin

it& especially if you ha+e sore %nee& or some pro#lems !ith the #alance.

-fter the "raise hands" part& !e do the "shoulder stro%e" part.

?o a "small lui"& in the same time& #rin the front (riht) foot close to the left one&

assumin the din #u position.

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>tep for!ard (,) !ith your riht foot& to the riht oon #oo position. ,ote& that as !e

need to end up in the oon #oo facin ,& the step is performed to the ast. If !e step

to ,& then either oon #oo !ill #e facin ,orth& or feet !ill #e on a line& rather then

shoulder!idth apart.

-s !e do a step& #end a >T2-I5*T #ac% for!ard at < derees& performin a "dzi"(pushin) technique. Thin% of stoppin the opponent@s les& or pushin at the shoulders

of an opponent that is tryion to ra# your les.

The riht !rist should #e straiht& the pushin is performed !ith the forearm. 7iners of

the left hand are at the riht !rist (the pulse area)& reinforsin the riht hand.

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This pushin is done #y #ecomin "round"& as if you epand in all directions. It

shouldn@t #e done !ith hands only.

,ote& that the "rules" still apply& the front %nee shouldn@t o for!ard #eyond the toes of

the same foot.

It is also important to %eep in mind the !ay our hips !or% in this (and all other)

techniques. ;hen !e do a "lui"& hips turn left& not hands / hands are still in front of your

#ody. Then you turn riht& and only then step to oon #oo.

4. &hite crane spreads wings

;est

Transition from the pre5ious form

Turn left (;est) on your loaded riht foot. Your hands should remain in the same

position as at the end of the pre+ious form (relati+e to the shoulders). -s you turn& #rin

your #ac% in the +ertical position. *ands !ill o up !ith the shoulders. This can #e

considered as a martial technique& you may notice& that there is a lot of po!er in this

simple turn& and you can push a!ay your opponent as you do it.

,ear the end of the turn& #rin the left foot to the riht one& assumin the left din #oo.

-s you do it& turn your hips < derees riht (,;).

*ere !e "push out"& not that much in the physical space& #ut mostly mentally&

increasin the size of a sphere formed #y our hands. It is done not #y pushin out !ith

your hand& #ut #y stretchin out the finers of the riht hand.

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&hite crane

Turn your hips left (;)& step to a sui #u position !ith your left foot. $eft hand mo+es

do!n and to the side& as if #loc%in a lo! attac%. The riht hand (unli%e in 7orm ')

doin a !ery short& lo! amplitude slap in the opponent face& it does so #y mo+in a#out

< inches for!ard and in the same time #endin (a littleE) in the !rist& so that the "heel"

of a palm oes for!ard.

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;hen you do a final "slap"& there is al!ays a temptation to lo!er your position. You are

not supposed to do it.

-ain& note the !ay hips !or%. ;hen you turn your hips left& they add a reat deal to

the "slap" you performin !ith your riht palm& as !ell as to the #loc% you do !ith the

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left one. -s al!ays& !e are usin po!er of hips& not po!er of hands (one of the fe!

reasons is that hips are much stroner).

8. 6rush 3nee

;est

-fter the "!hite crane"& do the transition form. In this form the riht hand mo+es inside

(to!ards the central line)& its palm turnin to!ards the face (it is a #loc%in technique).

The final position of this transition form is as follo!s3 #ody is turned < derees left&

left hand pointin left and for!ard (more for!ard than left) at the shoulder le+el& its

el#o! do!n and palm up. 7iners of the riht hand point to the left el#o!& riht palm is

do!n. The distance #et!een the riht palm and the #ody (it is in front of the middle dan

tan) should #e a#out t!o !idths of a palm& it is +ery important ,T to #rin your hand

too close to the #ody.

The left foot at the end of a transitional form remains on the same spot on the floor&

turnin !ith the hips (as an "empty" foot should& accordin to the rules).

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Turn your #ody riht& and #rin the left foot to!ards the fiht foot (left din #u position).

In the same time continue mo+in hands& performin eactly the same circles& so that

they end up in the position that is re+ersed& relati+e to !hat !as descri#ed a#o+e3 riht

hand is pointin riht and for!ard& left finers near the riht el#o!.

?o an empty step !ith your left foot (your #ody !ill turn left& of course)& put your left

hand on the imainary opponent@s fist that is attac%in your stomach at the le+el of a

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#elly #utton. In the same time& #rin your riht palm to!ards the temple& as sho!n at

the picture.

,ote& that the riht hand mo+es to the temple #y a circle& as if oin around an

imainary sphere.

Ao+e your !eiht for!ard (left oon #oo position)& the #ody turns left a little #it more&the left hand pushes (!ith the palm& at the side of a #a#y finer) the opponent@s hand to

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the left& mo+in in a circle& as if #rushin the %nee. ,ote& that the left hand does not

mo+e left #y itself& it is still in front of your #ody& that is the #ody that turns.

In the same time& etend the ruht hand for!ard& touchin (pushin) the opponent@s

chest at the le+el of the middle dan tan. ,ote& that the !rist is almost straiht here& as a

eneral rule in Yan style Tai Chi& !e do not #end the !rist& only the minor #endin isallo!ed& #arely to "sho!" the technique.

7. Pla the lute

;est

Initial position3 same as the final position of "#rush %nee" a#o+e. You are in the left

oon #oo& left hand is a#o+e the left %nee and a #it outside& it ha+e ust #loc%ed the

opponent punch in the stomach and pushed the attac%er@s hand to the outside. The rihthand is for!ard& touchin the middle dan tan of an opponent.

7rom this position& step for!ard !ith the #ac% (riht) foot. This %ind of a step (a su#/

step& ust to i+e it a name) is performed !hen you need to release the front foot&

ma%in it empty. The #ac% (riht) foot mo+es for!ard so that its toes are at the line of

the heel of a front foot (the line is perpendicular to the direction of an attac%& it oes

fron , to > in our case). The distance (alon that line) #et!een feet is a#out t!o fists.

,ote& that (considerin the fact& that the #ac% foot !ill e+entually turn < derees to the

riht) this distance i+es us a chance to end up in a proper sui #u position.

The opponent mo+es his hand around your #loc%in hand and punches you in thestomach.

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9rin your left palm a #it up& its palm inside (to!ards the central line)& and #loc% the

opponent@s el#o! inside. In the same time& the riht palm touches the opponent@s hand

near the !rist (a #it to!ards the el#o!& if you do it at the !rist& it !ill #end and the

opponent !ill escape)& pushin it inside& too.

This !ay the opponent@s hand is loc%ed& and you can control his #ody throuh it.

9rin your left foot up (!idth of a palm is enouh) and do!n on the heel& it is a %ic% in

the opponent@s foot. In the same time& your hands should do the push for!ard (!idth of

a palm is enouh)& sendin an impulse into the opponent.

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10! 11! 12. 6rush 3nee

;est& = times

-fter the "lute"& turn your hips < derees riht. -s you do it& pull your front (left) foot

to the din #oo position. In the same time& the riht hand oes "to the side" (it seems that

it does& due to the #ody turn. In reality& it is still almost perpendicullar to the shoulders).

The left hand ends up pointin to the riht el#o!. This is the same hand technique !e

ha+e already seen in the "transition form" of the "!hite crane"& as !ell as in the

"#rushin the %nee".

?o the first "#rushin the %nee"& as descri#ed a#o+e3 step for+ard to the left oon #oo&

the left hand #rushin& the riht hand pushin.

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Turn < derees left on your loaded left foot. Ao+e your !eiht on your left (front) foot

and step for!ard !ith your riht foot& in the riht din #u position. -s you do the step&

#rin hands throuh the "holdin a #all" position& to the already familiar position !iththe left hand pointin left/for!ard& finers of the riht hand pointin at the left el#o!.

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2epeat the "#rush %nee" step& you need to do it three times alltoether& steppin for!ard

!ith the left& riht and left foot aain.

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Important notes3

?o not fall on your foot !hen doin steps. >ee the description of "empty steps".

Aa%e sure hands and feet start and stop mo+in in synch. In this particular technique

there is an equal num#er on hand and feet mo+es& so it should #e easy& pro+ided that you

%eep an eye on it.

Aa%e sure your center of ra+ity does not ump up and do!n as you !al%.

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The "#rushin" is done #y a small circle. -lso& as one hand oes do!n& the other oes

up& as one hand oes for!ard& the other oes #ac%.

7iners of lo!er hand in the final position are for!ard& not do!n. 4alm is do!n.

The "pushin" hand is in front of your middle dan tan in its final position.

1%. Pla the lute

;est

>ee FG

1(. 6rush 3nee

;est

>ee F10

1. Parr! deflect and punch

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;est

9rin your left hand up at the lo!er chest D upper stomach le+el& palm do!n& finers

pointin for!ard. The idea is to put your palm on top of opponent@s attac%in hand

(attac% aimed at your stomach)& it is a +ariation of the lui technique. In the same time&

#rin your riht hand to!ards the left side of your ri#cae& under the left el#o!& ma%ina fist. -s you do it& turn your #ody left at < derees.

,o! you need to slap opponent@s hand (the same one you ha+e #loc%ed) #y the riht

arm& the slap oes do!n& and then to push it to the riht #y turnin your #ody riht. ?o

it !hile mo+in your !eiht on your left foot& the riht fist oes up from under the left

el#o!& and the left palm oes left (to the side of your #ody) and do!n.

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Aa%e sure the fist is relaed& #ut still& it should #e a "correct" fist& !ith straiht !rist.

4ut your riht foot do!n (it is a %ic% at opponent@s foot)& the final heel position should

#e as in sui #u. In the same time& your left hand should continue mo+in to the side of

your #ody and do!n #y a small circle. The riht fist deli+ers a slap (!hich is a #loc%& or

a control you apply to opponent@s hand).

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,ote that at first you turn your #ody left& and no! it is facin for!ard (;est& the

direction of an attac%). $ater in this form you !ill step for!ard turnin your #ody riht&

and then punch !hile turnin it for!ard aain. It is +ery important to ma%e sure that

hands and les mo+e in synch& they #ein and end "su#/forms" simultaneously.

4articularly& at the first part of the form (riht fist under the el#o!)& you should finish

turnin your #ody and prinin your riht fist under the left el#o! in the same time andsimultaneously !ith the !eiht transfer (on the left foot).

In the second part (slap do!n !ith the riht fist)& the #ody turn (for!ard)& the slap and

the riht heel touchin the round should occur at the same time.

Ao+e your !eiht on the front (riht) foot. ,ote& that !e need (at the end of the form)

to et to a oon #oo position. -s the riht foot !ill #e the #ac% one (after the current

step !e are oin to do one more& !ith the left foot)& it should #e at < derees to the

riht relati+e to the direction of an attac%. To do so& !e need to turn the #ody < derees

to the riht& as the riht foot is "empty"& it !ill turn !ith the #ody (hips). Then and only

then !e can transfer the !eiht on the riht foot.

ImportantE Turnin and transferin !eiht at the same time creates the "dou#le !eiht"&

!hich is one of the most common errors in Yan style Tai Chi.

-s you turn& mo+e your hands do!n and to the sides #y circles. Then (continue the

hand@s cur+e/li%e traectory) mo+e your left hand for!ard& as if you are a#out to #loc%

the opponent@s fist at the +ery #einnin of a punch. In the same time& #rin your riht

fist to!ards your hips& at the "ready to punch" position.

Turn your #ody for!ard& left hand #einnin (ust #einnin) to mo+e to!ards the

central line of your #ody (#loc%in to!ards you and inside). >tep for!ard (at < dereesto end up in a proper oon #oo) !ith your left foot.

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Ao+e your !eiht on your left foot (oon #oo position& ;est) and punch !ith the riht

fist at the le+el of your middle dan tan (heart). The left hand should perform the #loc%

!ith the palm& to!ards your #ody& in the final position it should #e finers up& palm to

the riht (left palm facin the riht el#o!).

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1. /pparent &ithdraw and Push

;est

This technique is similar to the last part of a "sparro!"& #ut hands should not o do!n

that much. 7irst& #rin your left palm under the riht hand& as if you are creatin a fence

#e!teen your riht hand and opponent@s hand.

Then mo+e your left palm to!ards the riht !rist. In the same time3 a) open the riht

fist& #) #ein turnin hands around the middle finers& to!ards thum#s. In the final

position& !rists are crossed& palms up& thum#s touchin). ,ote& that !e do it !hile

#einnin to shift the !eiht #ac%& ho!e+er& instead of mo+in the !eiht riht a!ay&

!e turn for!ard the coccy& or& to put it the other !ay& !e push our min men point (on

the #ac%& at the !aist le+el) #ac%. ;e al!ays #ein mo+in #ac% !ith the min men.

Then mo+e hands apart& at the !idth of your shoulders. Imaine opponent holdin onto

your !rists.

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Ao+e your !eiht on the #ac% (riht) foot& #rin your palms to!ards your shoulders

and turn them a #it palms for!ard. You are usin the po!er of your hips (not hands) to

pull an opponent for!ard.

Then mo+e your palms #y a +ery little circles do!n/outside (if your opponent is still

holdin onto your !rists& it !ill loc% his hands)& and push for!ard aimin at opponent@s

shoulders. 7eel your #ody epandin in all directions !hile doin it& you are pushin

yourself into opponent@s space.

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,ote that el#o!s should #e do!n& and the #ac% straiht.

14. Cross hands

,orth

Turn your hips to the riht (,orth) the riht foot turns on its heel ,orth& too.

Ao+e your !eiht to the riht foot& assumin the riht oon #oo (facin ,orth)& and

turn the left foot to the riht& to !here it should #e in a proper oon #oo.

?urin this turn& the hands should "open". The left hand almost does not mo+e& relati+e

to the round. -s the #ody turns& it means that the anle #et!een the left hand and the

line of shoulders increases from G0 derees to a maimum allo!ed 1'0 derees. The

riht hand turns !ith the #ody& unli%e the left hand& it mo+es relati+e to the round& #ut

the anle #et!een it and the shoulders doesn@t chane.

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Ao+e your !eiht to the #ac% (left) foot. *ands mo+e #y circles& in final position the

!rists should cross& riht hand closer to the #ody.

;hen your riht foot #ecomes "empty"& #rin it #ac%& assumin a symmetric position&

feet shoulder !idth apart& facin ,orth.

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