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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4. Brush Knee
- Begin in last position of form 3.
- Inhaling, turn torso left, lower left hand to hip, and raise right hand up toward head.
- Turn torso toward right, passing right hand across abdomen and moving left hand upward to face level, palm in.
- Raise both hands to level just below eyes, palms in.
- Extend left foot outward, toes up. Move right hand inward toward ear. Let left hand fall downward toward hip, palm down.
- Turn body left at waist. Transfer weight forward onto left leg. Keep left hand above left knee, palm facing knee, and move right hand up, palm forward.
- Extend right hand and palm forward, left hand above left knee, parallel to ground.
- Inhaling, lean back and shift weight onto bent right leg. Raise left foot up onto heel.
- Rotate slowly toward left. Plant left foot on ground, bend right knee, and lift right heel.
- Extend right foot out, heel anchored, toes up. Let right hand fall down to right hip.
- Shift weight forward and place right hand above right knee. Move left hand forward.
- Move right hand down toward right knee and lean forward on bent right knee.
- Bend left knee and lean back, shifting weight to left leg. Raise toes of right foot. Raise both hands up, palms facing each other.
- Rotate torso toward right, bend right leg, and shift weight toward right.
- Exhaling, extend left foot outward to left and draw right hand to right ear. Allow left hand to fall down slowly toward left knee.
- Turn torso left at waist and shift weight forward. Right hand and palm should face forward while left hand remains parallel to left thigh.
- Repeat entire form two more times, for a total of three times on each side.

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