1. Form practice involves the memorization of a fixed choreography. As a students skills advance they develop their form by incorporating numerous principles of proper body-mechanics, breathing, meditation, qigong, and intent. It is a process of continual refinement, but it is the process itself that is both beneficial and enjoyable. Taiji forms vary in length. Short forms may have any number of movements (usually between five and sixty), and may be arranged in any order. Traditional long forms tend to have 108 movements, but it is all dependent on how they are subdivided and counted. In actuality, once everything is memorized and movements become constant, any form can be viewed as a single continuous flow of movement from start to finish. While the specifics vary by style, all styles rely on and retain the essential principles described in the T’ai Chi Classics.
At Ziran Martial Arts the following Taijiquan forms are taught:
1. 24 Step Basic Tai Chi Chuan (Yang style interpretation - Chinese National Form)
2. Miao Dao (Double Handed Saber)
3. Yang Family Dao (Chinese Saber or Broadsword)
4. 115 Step Yang Long Form (Kou Yu Chueng Lineage, also pronounced 'ku yu cheng' or 'gu ru chan.' )
5. 42 Step Sword Form (Yang style interpretation-Chinese Competition Form)
6. Yang Jia Michuan Long Form (also Yang Jia) (note: in the Michuan system the number of movements is not counted.)
7. Yang Michuan Sword Form
8. Additional weapons and two person
forms from Yang "Public" and "Yang Michuan".
last updated 8/01/07