Paul Lam – Tai Chi 24 Forms

These are the movements of the official Tai Chi 24-form, which is often referred to as the “Simplified” form. Because tai chi is passed down in an oral tradition, forms tend to slowly evolve and change based on the students and the teacher’s understanding, body type, and preferences. But, this Simplified 24-form is standardized and is used in performances and competitions around the world. The form listed and shown below is an authentic and accurate version of the 24-form. The author’s father, Grandmaster Liang Shou-Yu, was a student and then a teacher of tai chi in China at the time this form was created and popularized.

Be sure to watch the video for an artistic look at Master Helen Liang’s 24-form.

Section 1

1. Commencing Form
   起勢
   Qishi
2. Left and Right Part the Wild Horse’s Mane
   左右野馬分鬃
   Zuo You Ye Ma Fen Zong
3. White Crane Spreads Its Wings
   白鹤亮翅
   Bai He Liang Chi
4. Left and Right Brush Knee and Push Forward
   左右摟膝拗步
   Zuo You Lou Xi Ao Bu
5. Playing Lute
   手揮琵琶
   Shou Hui Pi Pa

Section 2

6. Repulse Monkey Left and Right
   左右倒卷肱
   Zuo You Dao Juan Gong
7. Grasp Sparrow’s Tail Left
   左攬雀尾
   Zuo Lan Que Wei
8. Grasp Sparrow’s Tail Right
   右攬雀尾
   You Lan Que Wei
9. Left Single Whip
   单鞭
   Dan Bian

Section 3

10. Wave Hands Like Clouds
    雲手
    Yun Shou
11. Left Single Whip
    單鞭
    Dan Bian
12. High Pat on Horse
    高探馬
    Gao Tan Ma
13. Right Heel Kick
    高探馬
    You Deng Jiao
14. Strike to the Ears with Both Fists
    右蹬脚
    Shuang Feng Guan Er
15. Left Heel Kick
    雙峰貫耳
    Zhuan She Zuo Deng Jiao

Section 4

16. 16. Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg
        左下勢獨立
        Zuo Xia Shi Duli
    17. Right Lower Body and Stand on One Leg
        右下勢獨立
        You Xia Shi Duli
    18. Fair Lady Works with Shuttles
        右左玉女穿梭
        You Suo Yu Nu Chuan Suo
    19. Needle at Sea Bottom
        海底针
        Hai Di Zhen

Section 5

20. Fan Through the Back
    閃通背
    Shan Tong Bei
21. Turn Body, Deflect, Parry, and Punch
    轉身搬攔捶
    Zhuan Shen Ban Lan Chui
22. Apparent Closure
    如封似閉
    Ru Feng Si Bi
23. Cross Hands
    十字手
    Shi Zi Shou
24. Closing Form
    收勢
    Shoushi