Contents
Tai Chi Fundamentals
Preparing to Practice Tai Chi
Basic Principles of Tai Chi
Tai Chi Forms
1. Commencing Form
2. Wild Horse Parts Mane
3. White Crane Flashes Its Wings
4. Brush Knee
5. Strum the Lute
6. Curve Back Arms
7. Grasp the Bird’s Tail (Left Style)
8. Grasp the Bird’s Tail (Right Style)
9. Single Whip
10. Wave Hands Like Clouds (Left Style)
11. Second Single Whip
12. High Pat on Horse
13. Kick with Right Heel
14. Strike Opponent’s Ears with Both Fists
15. Turn and Kick with Left Heel
16. Push Down and Stand on One Leg (Left Style)
17. Push Down and Stand on One Leg (Right Style)
18. Work at Shuttles on Both Sides
19. Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
20. Flash Arm
21. Turn Downward to Deflect, Parry, and Punch
22. Apparent Closeup
23. Cross Hands
24. Closing Form
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2. Wild Horse Parts Mane
- Begin in last position of form 1.
- Inhaling, raise right hand to middle of chest, palm down, while turning at waist to straighten left leg. Raise left heel and move left hand downward.
- Position hands parallel to floor, palms facing each other but apart, as if holding a ball. Keep weight on right leg and place left foot next to right, lifting left heel.
- Extend left foot toward left, heel to floor, toe upward.
- Exhaling, transfer weight onto left foot, bend left knee, and move arms across body.
- Rotate left at waist. Raise left hand to chest level, palm facing inward. Lower right hand to hip, palm facing downward.
- Inhaling, shift weight to right leg. Raise toes of left foot and turn them outward. Turn right hand to face right hip. Raise left arm to shoulder level, palm facing ground.
- Shift weight to left leg by bending left leg and turning body left and forward. Left foot should be flat, and right heel should be up off ground but anchored by toes.
- Move right foot next to left foot so that only right toes touch ground. Return arms to “ball holding” position in step 3.
- Exhaling, extend right foot toward right, heel on the ground, toes up.
- Lean forward onto bent right knee. Raise right hand to chest level, palm facing inward with elbow bent. Move left hand down to left hip, palm facing downward.
- Inhaling, lean back and shift weight to left leg. Raise right toes and turn them outward.
- Place left foot perpendicular to right foot. Move hand back into “ball holding” position.
- Extend left foot toward left, heel on ground, toes up.
- Shift weight onto bent left leg and flatten left foot. Raise left hand to chest, palm in. Place right hand beside right hip, palm down.
- Repeat entire form two more times, for a total of three times on each side.


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