Taijiquan 24 Form
Standard Simplified Orthodox Chinese National Version, T'ai Chi Ch'uan 24 Movement Form, 1956, Yang Style

Bibliography     List of 24 Postures     Links     Quotes     Descriptions     Lessons    Sections     Introduction

 Videos Online      Descriptions and Instructions for the 24 Movements     Performance Time 

Strategies for Learning the Tai Chi 24 Form

ong 108 Yang Taiji Form     32 Yang Sword Form     55 Yang Classical Sword Form     Sun Style Taijiquan


Research by
Michael P. Garofalo

April 1, 2008

Disclaimer

Cloud Hands Homepage

T'ai Chi Ch'uan: National 24 Form
Standard Simplified Taijiquan Version, 24 Movements, 1956, Yang Style Taijiquan
24 Short Form, Simplified Tai Chi, Standard Beijing Taijiquan 24 Form, Chinese National 24 Form Taiji

    Chen Chang Xing (1771-1853) developed the Chen Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan) Old Frame, First Routine.  He taught the Chen Style Taijiquan to Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872), who developed the Yang Style of Taijiquan.  The grandson of Yang Lu Chan, Yang Cheng Fu (1883-1936) modified and popularized the Yang Style Taijiquan, and published a number of books on the subject in the 1930's. 

    In 1956, the National Physical Culture and Sports Commission of the People's Republic of China, under the leadership of the Taijiquan Committee Chairperson, Professor Li Tian Ji, developed standardized and simplified versions of many T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan) forms.  Professor Li Tian Ji  (1914-1996) led the development of the 24 Taijiquan Form and the 32 Sword Taijiquan Form as well as many other standardized Taijiquan forms, and he is called by many "The Father of Modern Taijiquan."

    The Standard Simplified Beijing 24 Taijiquan Form was based on the Yang Family style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, as epitomized by Yang Cheng Fu.  The 24 Taijiquan Form could be performed in 4 to 8 minutes, and consisted, as would be expected, of 24 movements, although some of the movements have two or three parts.  The 24 Taijiquan Form eliminated some of the movements that are found in the Yang Style Taijiquan 108 long form such as the Sweeping Lotus Kick, Step Up to Seven Stars, Snake Darts out its Tongue, or Carry the Tiger to the Mountain.  The short 24 Taijiquan Form also greatly reduced the number of times that some movements are repeated in the Yang Style 108 long form such as Grasping the Sparrow's Tail, Waving Hands Like Clouds, Left Ward Off, or Single Whip.  The traditional Yang Style Taijiquan long form has 108 movements (postures or parts).   

    The Standard Simplified 24 Taijiquan Form, short form, could be taught fairly quickly to students of various ages in physical education programs.  The brevity of the form appealed to students of all ages.  The short form could be done by large groups of people in rows since the movement choreography is in straight lines.  The short form provided a standard form for use in some competitions.  The new short form was less physically demanding than longer forms and other Tai Chi styles, and appealed to older beginners.  It provided a good introduction to the basic elements of the Yang Family Taijiquan long form.  When done properly, the short form can exemplify grace, beauty, and many fundamentals of the art.  For these reasons, the Standard Simplified 24 Taijiquan Form has become quite popular and is now taught, practiced and played all over the world.  

    Thirty years ago it was difficult to say whether the Standard 24 Form or the Cheng Man-Ch'ing 37 Form were the most popular in America.  Professor Cheng's form, his inspired teaching, his many accomplished students, and his amazing push hands skills, all definitely sparked very sophisticated writing on the subject and intense commitment to his form; and his 37 short form was the most popular in America before 1977.   Now, students have ready access to many more English language books and instructional media (DVDs and VHS videotapes) about the Standard Simplified T'ai Chi Ch'uan 24 Form, and instructors teaching the 24 Taijiquan Form are quite common in America.  Since both forms use Yang style postures and skills, a few Yang style Tai Chi practitioners and teachers can do both the 24 and 37 forms, as well, of course, as the Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan 108 long form.   However, in my opinion, the Standard 24 Taijiquan Form, in the Yang Style, is now the most popular Tai Chi form practiced in America and around the world. 

    Other shortened versions of T'ai Chi Ch'uan long forms are also practiced.  A 48 movement Yang short form is also popular in China.  The Chinese National Wushu Association has developed a 42 movement Yang style competition form.  The Chen style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan also has 11, 18, 32 and 36 movement short forms, as well as a Chen competition form of 56 movements.  Both an 11 and 35 movement version of the Sun style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan also exist.   

     I first learned the Standard 24 Taijiquan Form in 1986, and have enjoyed practicing the form since then.  To assist others in learning this popular Taiji form, I've prepared this webpage and provided many tools and suggestions for learning the 24 Taiji Form. 

    This webpage was first published on the Internet in 2002.  It is one of the more popular webpages on the Cloud Hands website.  In 2007, this webpage was served to over 48,000 persons.  I will make an effort to significantly upgrade the quality of this webpage in 2008, and develop it to the quality of my 32 Sword Form webpage. 

Links, Bibliography, Resources

T'ai Chi Ch'uan: National 24 Form Taijiquan
Standard Simplified Taijiquan, 24 Movements, 1956, Yang Style, Bejing (Peking) National Form 

A Note to Readers:  The Cloud Hands website has been online continuously since 2001.  In this past year, 2007, over 1,041,000 webpages (excluding graphics) were served to readers around the world from the Cloud Hands website.  Since 2005, I have also provided an associated blog to point to changes and additions at the Cloud Hands website:  The Cloud Hands: Mind/Body Movement Arts Blog.  Since Cloud Hands is a very well-established and stable website, it provides readers with a good and secure starting point for their online research into Taijiquan and Qigong.  The Cloud Hands website is funded entirely by Green Way Research, with volunteer efforts by Michael P. Garofalo. 
    Unfortunately, as everyone knows, many other websites and webpages appear and then disappear from the Internet scene.  Authors do not pay to keep up their web hosting services, loose a "free hosting" option, change filenames, or decide to remove webpages for various reasons.  Consequently, links to some good webpages become invalid and the files are no longer found on the Internet.  You may find a some of these "dead links" to nonexistent webpages cited below; and, there is no way to avoid this troublesome situation.  For this reason, when you do find a good and useful webpage, be sure to save the webpage to a folder on your hard drive or server. 
    I welcome and encourage your suggestions for how to improve this webpage.  Your comments, ideas, contributions, and constructive criticism are encouraged.  In particular, I welcome suggestions on how to improve translations into other languages for the names of the movements.  Send your suggestions to my email box.

Alphabetical Index to Cloud Hands Website    

Anatomy of Yang Family Tai Chi.  By Steffan de Graffenried.  Nomentira Publications, 2007.  108 pages.  ISBN: 0979895626.  VSTLC. 

Beginning T'ai Chi.  By Tri Chong Dang.  Tuttle Publishing, 1994.  67 pages.   ISBN: 0804820015.  24 Form is taught. 

Beijing 24 Form.  EveryDay Tai Chi.

Breathing and Taijiquan   Bibliography, links, quotes, notes.

Chang San Feng: Biography, Bibliography, Links, Quotes, and Notes.  Taoist Master Chang San Feng, circa 1300 CE, is the legendary founder of  T'ai Chi Ch'uan.  He is considered to be a Taoist Immortal who lived for hundreds of years.   He is often spoken about and quoted in books by Yang Family Taijiquan enthusiasts.    

Chart of 24 Form:  B&W Drawing of Movement Sequence (Stepping Diagram)

Chart of 24 Form:  B&W Line Drawings of Postures 

Chart of 24 Tai Chi Form:  Color Photographs 

Cheng Man-Ch'ing (1901-1975)   Bibliography, links, quotes, notes.  Professor Cheng created a Yang style 37 movement short form that became popular in the U.S..  

Chen Style of Taijiquan

Chen Taijiquan, Old Frame, First Routine 

Chi (Qi, Internal Energy, Air, Prana)   Links, bibliography, quotes and notes.

Classic Texts of Taijiquan 

Cloud Hands Blog

Cloud Hands - Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung 

The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles and Practice.  By Wong, Kiew Kit.  Shaftesbury, Dorset, Element, 1996.  Index, bibliography, 316 pages.  ISBN: 1852307927.  The 24 movement short form is described and illustrated on pages 70 - 86.  VSTLC. 

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tai Chi and Qigong.  By Bill Douglas.  Alpha Books, 2002, 2nd Edition.  368 pages.  ISBN: 0028642643.  VSTLC.

Dao (Saber, Broadsword) and Taijiquan   Bibliography, links, resources, quotes, notes. 

Drawing Silk: Master's Secrets for Successful Tai Chi Practice.  By Paul B. Gallagher.  Book Surge Publishing, 2007.  266 pages.  ISBN: 1419663127.  A very good introductory text to Tai Chi.   VSTLC. 

Effect of Tai Chi Vs. Structured Exercise on Physical Fitness and Stress in Cancer Survivors.  A clinical trail starting in 2006.  Uses 24 Form Tai Chi. 

The Efficacy of T'ai Chi Ch'uan in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Medical Literature.  By Arianne P. Verhagen,   Monique Immink, Annemieke an der Meulen and Sita Bierma-Zeinstra.  Family Practice Journal: Vol. 21, No. 1. 

Eight Section Brocade Qigong   This is a very common Qigong and warm up exercise set used before one practices Taijiquan.    

Encounters with Master Zhang Sanfeng:  Poems    By Mike Garofalo. 

The Encyclopedia of Tai Chi Chuan.  By Feng Zhigang and Li Binci.  Beijing, China, Education Yard Publishing House, 2005.  ISBN: 7507711706.  

Feng, Alex Dr., 24 Form Instructional videotape. 

First Two Movements Animation   Qi Journal.

Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi): Tiger, Bear, Crane, Deer, and Monkey   I use many variations of the Five Animal Frolics in the Qigong and warm up portion at the beginning of my Taijiquan classes and in my yoga classes in Red Bluff, California. 

Garofalo, Michael P., M.S.  Instructor at Valley Spirit Taijiquan.  Mike has been publishing on the Internet with Green Way Research  since 1992.  Mike began his practice of Taijiquan and Qigong in 1986.  He has taught Taijiquan and Qigong since 2000; and Yoga since 2004.  He teaches at the Valley Spirit Taijiquan Center and at the Tehama Family Fitness Center, both in Red Bluff, California.  He teaches Yang Style Taijiquan and various styles of Qigong and Yoga.  His many web publications (e.g., The Spirit of Gardening, Cloud Hands, Months, etc.) are widely cited and rank high in search engines, and he serves up over 3,000,000 webpages (excluding graphics) each year.  He is currently studying Chen Style of Taijiquan.  He is an avid and knowledgeable gardener, and lives in a rural area in Northern California.  He is a semi-retired library administrator, grant writer, webmaster, and technology manager.  Mike serves as the Chairperson of the Tehama County Commission on Aging, and on the Council of the Passages: Area III Agency on Aging.  You can contact Mike by email or by cell phone at 530-200-3546. 

Grasping the Sparrow's Tail.  The Four Gates: Ward Off, Roll Back, Press, and Push.  Fighting Off Stress:  A 6th Grade Class Lesson.  Grasping the Sparrow's Tail is done from both the right side and the left side in the Taijiquan Beijing Short Form and many times from the right side  in the traditional Yang Family Long Form.  By Michael P. Garofalo.   45K.  

Handbook of T'ai Chi Ch'uan Exercises.  By Zhang, Fuxing.  York Beach, Maine, Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1996.  Index, 198 pages.  ISBN: 0877288917.   Includes detailed description and line drawings of the Simplified 24 Movement Yang style short form, and the standard traditional 88 movement Yang style long form.   Information on major characteristics of Yang style, key points of practice, and push hands.  VSTLC. 

The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi.  By Roger Jahnke, O.M.D..  Chicago, Contemporary Books, 2002.   Index, notes, extensive recommended reading list, 316 pages.  ISBN: 0809295288.

Health and Taijiquan 

How to Best Learn the 24 Simplified Tai Chi Chuan.  By Zhang Qi Hua and Lu Ping.  Beijing, China, People's Physical Education Publishing House, 2000.  ISBN: 7500917031.  

Hsing Yi (Xing I): Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotations, Notes.  I use forward moving drills, a modified Hsing Yi style, with movements from the Yang Style Taijiquan such as Parting the Wild Horse's Mane, Brush Knee, Fair Lady Works the Shuttles, etc.  

Illustrations of Tai Chi Chuan Simplified.  By Y. W. Chong.  In English and Chinese.  Hong Kong, Wan Li Book Co., Ltd., 1981.  96 pages, black and white illustrations.  

Illustrations of the 24 Yang Short Form, Line Drawings.  Prepared by the Jun Nan Shin Martial Arts Academy. 

KU Kung Fu and Tai Chi Club.  The University of Kansas.  Instructions for Yang Style Short Form Tai Chi.  Detailed description by David Hann of 24 Form in a HTML file and a Word.doc file.  Dr. Po-lung Yu and Taichi [video] (49Mb).  Dr. Yu's description of the meaning of Taichi [video] (45Mb).  "Enjoy Taichi!" (Dr. Yu, Mr. Chang, and Mr. Hann) [video] (12Mb). 

Line Illustrations of 24 Yang Form  (By Ju Nan Shin Martial Arts Academy) 

List of Movements in the Simplified 24 Taijiquan Form.   Movement names in English, Chinese characters, Chinese Pinyin, French, German and Spanish.   

List of Sections of the Standard Simplified 24 Form Yang Taijiquan
Section 1, Movements 1 - 5
Section 2, Movements 6 - 9
Section 3, Movements 10 - 15
Section 4, Movements 16 - 19
Section 5, Movements, 20 - 24 

Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan.  Bu Fu Zongwen (1903-1994).  Translated by Louis Swaim.  Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1999.  Glossary, bibliography, 226 pages.  ISBN: 1556433182.  Translations of many Tai Chi classics are included.  A list of the 85 movement long form and detailed notes and descriptions of each movement are provided.  251 movement analysis illustrations.  Over 76 of the illustrations are traced and drawn from photographs of Yang Cheng-Fu.  Detailed descriptions of the long form, pp. 26-162.  Push hands information.  Yang Tai Chi essentials.    I have found this to be an excellent book!  This book was first published in 1963 in China as "Yang Shi Taijiquan".  An informative introduction and good translation by Louis Swaim.  VSTLC. 

Music for the 24 Form Taijiquan

Old Yang Short Form  32 movement form from Yang, Chien Hou and Dr. Shen.  

The Origins of Tai Chi Chuan.   Qi Journal.  

Orthodox Chinese Taiji Quan.    An 88 minute videotape that teaches the standard Yang style, Beijing version, short form of Tai Chi Chuan.  Includes footage of people doing other styles and push hands.  


Pictures of Tai Chi Movements of the 24 Form  

Popular Modern Styles of Tai Chi Chuan   Excellent article by Peter Lim Tian Tek.

Poster of the 24 Form International Competition Taijiquan Routine  

Principles of Tai Chi Chuan by Master Zhang Sanfeng

Push Hands (Tui Shou) in Tai Chi Chuan.  Links, bibliography, resources, quotes, and notes.  

Qigong: Bibliography, Links, Instructions, Resources, Quotes and Notes.  I use many Qigong forms in the warm up portion at the beginning of my Taijiquan classes in Red Bluff, California. 

Qi (Chi, Internal Energy, Air, Prana)   Links, bibliography, quotes and notes. 

Relaxation (Sung, Song) and Taijiquan   Bibliography, links, quotes, and notes.   

River Springs Tai Chi, Simplified Yang Style Tai Chi Set (24 Movements), List of Movements with Chinese characters.   Illustrations for each movement. 

The Root of Chinese Chi Kung: The Secrets of Chi Kung Training.  By Yang Jwing-Ming.  YMAA Chi Kung Series #1.  Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, Yang's Martial Arts Association, 1989.  Glossary, 272 pages.   ISBN: 0940871076.  VSTLC.       

Saber (Dao, Broadsword) and Taijiquan   Bibliography, links, resources, quotes, notes. 

Searching Google to 24 Form Taijiquan:  24 Form T'ai Chi Ch'uan; Yang 24 Form;

Sections of the Standard Simplified 24 Form Yang Taijiquan
Section 1, Movements 1 - 5
Section 2, Movements 6 - 9
Section 3, Movements 10 - 15
Section 4, Movements 16 - 20
Section 5, Movements, 21 - 24

Dr. Shen's Short Form Tai Chi.   Featuring Dr. Zaiwen Shen.  24 movement form.  

Short Form - Cheng Man-ch'ing Version.   Some good ideas about practice.  

Silk Reeling and Circles in Taijiquan   Bibliography, links, quotes, notes.  

Simplified Tai Chi Chuan.   Instructional DVD by Master Liang Shou-Yu and Kelly Maclean.  150 minutes.  Directed by Yang Jwing-Ming.  YMAA Publications, 2005.  Companion to book: T'ai Chi Ch'uan: 24 And 48 Postures With Martial Applications.   

Simplified 24 Form: Bibliography, links, quotes, notes, list of movements.

Simplified 24 Form Tai Chi.  VCD - 2discs.   In English and Chinese.  41 minutes.

Sports for All: 24 Forms T'ai Chi Ch'uan. 

Standard Simplified Taijiquan 24 Form.  Research by Michael P. Garofalo. Yang Style of Tai Chi Chuan, 24 movements.  This webpage includes a detailed bibliography of books, media, links, online videos, articles, and resources.  It provides a list of the 24 movement names in English, Chinese, French, German and Spanish, with citations for sources of the movement names.  It provides detailed descriptions of each movement with black and white line illustrations and  photographs.  It includes relevant quotations, notes, performance times, section breakdowns, basic Tai Chi principles, and strategies for learning the form.  The Peking (Bejing) Chinese National orthodox standard simplified 24 movement Tai Chi form, created in 1956, is the most popular form practiced all around the world.  This is a 450 Kb HTML file, updated in April, 2008.  Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California:  Webpage URL:  http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm. 

Standard Simplified 24 Tai Chi Form, Names of Movements 1-24, 1 Page, PDF Format, 11Kb   By Michael P. Garofalo. 

Sung - Relaxation   Bibliography, links, quotes, and notes.

Sun Lu Tang's Internal Martial Arts: Baguazhang, Xingyiquan, Taijiquan, and Qigong.  Bibliography, Links, Quotes, Resources, Instructions.   

Sun Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Standard Competition 73 Movements Form.  Research by Michael P. Garofalo, M.S..  Webpage: 450Kb, June 2008.  This webpage includes an introduction, information on the history of the Sun Taijiquan forms, a detailed bibliography, extensive links, references to video resources, a large collections of quotations about Sun Taijiquan, recommendations on the best media resources on the topic, and suggestions for learning the 73 competition Sun Taijiquan form.  A detailed comparative list of the names of each of the 73 movements is provided, with source references, and the movement names are given in English, Chinese, Chinese characters, French, German, and Spanish.  This webpage includes detailed descriptions of each of the 73 movements with black and white illustrations for each movement sequence along with commentary and comparisons.  Many additional nomenclature lists and section study charts in the PDF format, photographs and graphics are also provided - over 1.3 MB of information.  This webpage is the most detailed and complete document on the subject of the Sun Taijiquan Competition 73 Form available on the Internet.  This document was published by  Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California, 2008.   URL: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sun73.htm.

Sword (Jian)- T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Sword - Standard 32 Sword Form in the Yang Style

Sword - Classical Yang Style 55 Movement Sword Form  

Tai Chi Beginning: A Complete Workout Reference for Beginners.  By Wen-Ching Wu and Denise Breiter-Wu.  Way of the Dragon, 1998.  128 pages.  ISBN: 1889659037.

The Tai Chi Book: Beginning and Enjoying a Lifetime of Practice.  By Robert Chuckrow, Ph.D..  Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, YMAA Publication Center, 1998.   209 pages.  ISBN: 1886969647.  An excellent general introduction to Taiji from the Yang style perspective.  Includes description, with photographs, of the Cheng Man-Chi'ng short form.  VSTLC. 

Tai Chi - Chinese National 24 Form Taiji   Ottowa Chinese Martial Arts.  Illustrations for all 24 postures of the 24 Form.    

T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong: Techniques and Training.   By Wolfgang Metzger, Peifang Zhou, and Manfred Grosser.  New York, Sterling Publishing Company, 1996.  Index, 144 pages.  ISBN: 0806959576.  Includes a detailed description of the Beijing 24 movement form, pp. 86 -141.   Excellent list and movement chart.  

T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Beijing Short Form.  Yang Style, Standard Simplified Version, 24 Movements, Created in 1956.  List of movements, notes, bibliography, links, and photographs.  Peking short form Taijiquan.  By Michael P. Garofalo.  300Kb HTML file: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm

Tai Chi Chuan Sports.  Edited by the People's Republic of China Physical Education Committee.  Beijing, China, 1996.  ISBN: 7500911505. 

Tai Chi Chuan, Standard Simplified Beijing 24 Form, Names of Movements 1-24, 1 Page, PDF Format, 11Kb   By Michael P. Garofalo.  Version II.

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Bibliography  

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Classics   

Tai Chi Chuan in 24 Forms.  By Donald McPherson and Phyboon Cheng.  Presented in English and Chinese.  Lulu.com, 2006.  160 pages.  ISBN:  1411677242.  

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Martial Applications Advanced Yang Style.  By Dr. Wang, Jwing Ming.  Edited by Alan Doughall.  Jamaica Plain, MA, YMAA Publications, 2nd Edition, 1996.  363 pages.  ISBN: 1886969442.  VSTLC. 

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Movements Illustrated   Photographs of Gao Jiamin.  

Tai Chi Chuan: The Chinese Way.  By Foen Tjoeng Lie.  New York, Sterling Publishing Co., 1988.   126 pages, black and white illustrations, index.  ISBN: 0806968265.   Excellent photos of Mr. Lie doing the form, informative descriptions, and a good introduction.  VSTLC. 

T'ai Chi Ch'uan: 24 And 48 Postures With Martial Applications.    By Master Liang, Shou-Yu and Wu, Wen-Ching; and, edited by Denise Brieter.  Boston, YMAA Publications.   2nd Edition, 1993, 1996.   ISBN:  1886969337.  Index, bibliography, glossary, 153 pages.  In my opinion, this is the best book to purchase when learning the Beijing 24 Short Form.  Detailed instructions, excellent photographs, and extensive martial applications make this a first choice for students.  VSTLC. 

Tai Chi Ch'uan 24 Forms for Curious Learners.  By Andy Ma and Howard Rosenberg.  Paperback or eBook formats.  

Tai Chi Connections: Advancing Your Tai Chi Experience.  By John Loupos.  Boston, MA, YMAA Publication Center, 2005.  Index, 194 pages. 
ISBN: 1594390320.   VSTLC.  All three books by John Loupos are very useful. 

Tai Chi for Beginners: The 24 Forms.   By Lin Williams.  Instructional videotape.  DVD: MBSDVD009. 

Tai Chi for Beginners and the 24 Forms.  By Dr. Paul Lam and Nancy Kaye.  1st Edition, SNP Leefung, 2006.  ISBN:  0977536114. 

Tai Chi for Body, Mind and Spirit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Achieving Physical and Mental Balance.   By Eric Chaline.  New York, Sterling Publishing Co., 1998.  $14.95.  Index, 127 pages.  ISBN: 0806963212.  Detailed Instructions and color photographs  for the 24 movement standard short form.  Includes some qigong exercises.  VSTLC. 

Tai Chi for Health    By Tai-Chi-Xin.  See Also: Tai Chi 24 Forms  

Tai Chi for Health and Vitality: A Comprehensive Guide to the Short Yang Form.  By Robert Parry.  Hamlyn, 2005.  144 pages.  ISBN: 060061090X.

Tai Chi for Health: The 24 Simplified Forms.   By Cheng Zhao and Dan Zhao.  Indiana, Agilceed Books, 2006.  163 pages.  ISBN: 0976118319.  There is also an instructional DVD to accompany this book by Cheng Zhao and Don Zhao.  Overview of 4 Form, detailed descriptions of each movement, general principles, questions and answers, flow charts.  Hundreds of black and white photographs, illustrations, artwork, and graphics.  This is a much better book than the 32 Sword Form book by the same authors.  Dr. Cheng Zhao is a full professor at Indiana State University.  VSTLC. 

Tai Chi for Life: Yang Style Tai Chi.  By Guangzhi Xing.  24 Form Simplified Tai Chi, Tai Chi Sword 32 Form.  Instructional DVD, 90 minutes, Color.  Turtle Press, 2002.  Instruction in English. 

Tai Chi Form Beijing 24 

Tai Chi for Seniors:  How to Gain Flexibility, Strength, and Inner Peace.  By Philip Bonifonte.  New Page Books, 2004.  216 pages.  ISBN: 1564146979.
The 24 form is taught.

Tai Chi for Small Space.   By Jiang Jian-ye.  Based on the 24-form simplified T'ai Chi from in the Yang style.  120 minute videotape.  Jiang's Tai Chi Videos.  

Tai Chi for Staying Young: The Gentle Way to Health and Well-Being.  By Lam Kam-Chuen.  Fireside, 2004.  128 pages.  ISBN: 0743255046. 

Tai Chi: Health for Life.  How and Why It Works for Health, Stress Relief, and Longevity.  By Bruce Frantzis.  Berkeley, California, Blue Snake Books, Energy Arts Inc., c 2006.  Index, 320 pages.  ISBN: 1583941444.   VSTLC.    

Tai Chi Qi Gong.   By Jiang Jian-ye.  117 minute videotape.  24 movement form is taught along with some qi gong applications.   Jiang's Tai Chi Videos. 

Tai Chi Productions Newsletter   Edited by Master Paul Lam, M.D.  He has produced an excellent instructional videotape/DVD on the 24 Form.  

Tai Chi: 6 Forms, 6 Easy Lessons.   By Dr. Paul Lam.   VHS and DVD.  Wellspring Media, 1995, 1998.   ASIN: 1885538715.   An earlier version of Tai Chi: The 24 Forms.  

Tai Chi: The 24 Forms.   By Dr. Paul Lam.  A 120 minute videotape that teaches the Simplified 24 Form, Beijing 1956 version, Yang style T'ai Chi Ch'uan.  This excellent instructional videotape/DVD includes warm up exercises, 6 qigong exercises, 7 movement drills, and extensive and clear step by step instructions and numerous multi-angle demonstrations of the 24 postures in this popular short form.  Dr. Lam, a family physician in Australia, has won gold medals in international Taiji competitions, and has published many good books, newsletters, articles, and produced many fine Taiji instructional videotapes.  VHS videotape (ISBN:1583500197) and DVD version (ISBN: 1583501088).  $30.00.  Produced by WellSpring Media, 1999.  
Reviews   VSTLC. 

Tai-Chi 24 Form.   By Robert Yeoh.   14 pages, PDF format.  Detailed written instructions for each of the 24 postures of the form.  Excellent resource.  

Tai Chi 24 Form, Names of Movements 1-24, 1 Page, PDF Format, 11Kb

Tai Chi 24 Forms   By Tai-Chi-Xin.  See Also Tai Chi for Health   

Taiji 24 Form.   Professor Le Din Yin.  DVD

Taiji 24 Form: Part 1 of 8.  Instructions by Kelly MacLean.  Movements 1, 2 and 3 explained with color photographs. 

Taiji 24 Form   Detailed instructions and scores of photographs.   One of the best on-line instructional resources for the 24 Form.  the 24 Form is divided into 8 sections/webpages for instructional purposes.  Kelly Maclean is a full time instructor, and has taught Taiji and Wushu with Shou-Yu Liang Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute for many years.  Produced by the WushuTaiji Qigong Intstitute.  

Taiji 24 Form, Standard Simplified 24 Taijiquan Form, Names of Movements 1-24, 1 Page, PDF Format, 11Kb   By Michael P. Garofalo. 

Taoism and Taijiquan   

Teach Yourself Tai Chi.  By Robert Parry.  McGraw Hill, 3rd Edition, 2007.  192 pages.  ISBN: 0071490922. 

Total Tai Chi: The Step-by-Step Guide to T'ai Chi at Home for Everybody.  By Ronnie Robinson.   Duncan Baird, 2006.  144 pages.  ISBN:  1844832627. 

Thirteen Postures of Taijiquan.   Bibliography, links, notes, charts, quotes.   8 Gates and 5 Steps of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.

32 Standard Sword (Jian) Form - Yang Style   Bibliography, Links, Quotes, Notes.

Traditional Chen Style Taijiquan

Traditional Yang Family Short Form.   By Howard Choy.  A 39 movement short form.  

Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan 103 Movement Hand Form - Movement Names

24 Form Denotations and Photographs

24 Form (Simplified Form) T'ai Chi Ch'uan - Wikipedia  

24 Form, Standard Simplified 24 Taijiquan Form, Names of Movements 1-24, 1 Page, PDF Format, 11Kb  

24 Forms Tai Chi Chuan.  Demonstration and instruction by Wu A. Ming.  2 instructional DVDs and booklet. 

24 Forms Tai Chi Chuan Simplified.  Instruction and demonstration by Master Jiang Jian-ye.   Instructional DVD or VHS videotape, 120 minutes.  "This video teaches the standardized 24-movement form based on the Yang style that has been popularized in China.  Jiang demonstrates the form and then teaches it step by step. Each form is taught with multiple views and repetitions. There are reviews of segments and the form is demonstrated multiple times at the end, front and rear."  Available from Wayfarer Publications Catalog. 

24 Movement Taijiquan 太極拳 Form and Applications.  Master Shouyu Liang and Sam Masich.  Instructional DVD.  Video preview. 

24 Posture Tai Chi (Erishisishi Tajiquan)   List of postures in English and Chinese.  Includes black and white illustrations of the postures arranged in an S shaped flowing layout.   

24 Simplified Form - Wikipeda  

The 24 Simplified Forms of Tai Chi Chuan.  By Li Deyin.  Beijing, China, The Audio and Video Publishing House of Beijing TV Art Center, 2005.  ISRC CN-C07-02-318-00/V.G4. 

24 Standard Simplified 24 Taijiquan Form.  300Kb. 

Twenty Four Forms Tai Chi Simplified-Enhanced.   By Jiang Jian-ye.  A 90 minute videotape that teaches the standard Yang style, Beijing version, short form of Tai Chi Chuan.  Jiang's Tai Chi Videos.

Valley Spirit Center, Red Bluff, California  

Valley Spirit Taijiquan 

Valley Spirit Taijiquan:  Practice Assignments for Beginners Learning the 24 Form

VSTLC = Valley Spirit Taijiquan Library Collection, Red Bluff, California. 

Wayfarer Publications Catalog  

The Way of Harmony    By Howard Reid.  A guide to self-knowledge through the Arts of Tai Chi Chuan, Hsing I, Pa Kua, and Chi Kung.  London, Gaia Books Limited, 1988.  Index, 191 pages.  ISBN: 0671666320.   Instructions and illustrations of the Short 24 Form can be found on pages 90 - 139.  VSTLC. 

The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing.  By Kenneth S. Cohen.  Foreword by Larry Dossey.  New York Ballantine Books, 1997.  Index, notes, appendices, 427 pages.  ISBN: 0345421094.  One of my favorite books: comprehensive, informative, practical, and scientific.  VSTLC. 

Wild Goose (Dayan) Qigong: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotes, Notes.

Wu Ji - Standing Meditation

Yang Family Style Tai Chi Chuan Traditional Long Form, 108 Movements.  By Michael P. Garofalo.  100 Kb+  Provides a list of the movements divided into five sections for teaching (.html and .doc versions available).  Includes a bibliography, links, notes, and quotations.   Provides a list comparing the Yang Long Form 108 to 85 postures sequence.    

Yang Modified 24 Postures Short Form.   Lots of line drawings for each of the postures in the 24 form.    27Kb.   Mirror

Yang Modified 24 Postures Short Form.   Line drawings, names. 

Yang Short Form   27Kb.   F. Wysoki.  

Yang Short Form Pictorial   A long sequence of color photographs of students performing the short form in a park.  From Dragon Studios. 

Yang Style Short Form 24 Beijing Style     A list of the 24 movements in this form.  

Yang Style Short Form     A list of the 24 movements in this form.

Yang Style Short Form, 24 Form.  A list of the 24 movements in this popular form. 

Yang Style Short Form Tai Chi.  Written by David Hann.  Detailed narrative about performing the 24 Form.  54Kb. 

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan and Its Applications.   By Yang, Jwing-Ming.  VHS videotape.  Boston, YMAA Publications, 1995.  ASIN: 0940871181.   Applications for postures in the 24, 48 and 108 forms.  

Yang Style Taijiquan Short Form, Peking Version 24 Movements.     

Yang Style Taijiquan Long Form 108 Movements  

Video Resources Online
Standard Simplified National T'ai Chi Ch'uan 24 Form, Yang Style

Tai Chi, 24 Yang Form, M Du Feu, UTube 2007, 6:18 min. 

Les 24 Mouvements du Style Yang  (Vinz - 24 Yang Style Taijiquan), Google Video, 1006, 7:21 min.

Yang Tai Chi National 24 Forms, Narration in Chinese, UTube, 2006. 4:37 min.  A young woman doing a graceful performance.  Mirror

Tai Chi Chuan Yang.  Google Video, 2006, 4:13 min.  Very good and strong performance by a young woman.   

Tai Chi Chuan - Yang - Forma 24 movimentos.  UTube Video, 2007, 3:40 min.  A young man performing in a courtyard. 

Tai Chi Chuan Yang Simplified.  Utube Video, 2007, 5:47 min.  A young woman, Rie Takahashi, performs the form. 

Tai Chi Form 24 Form.  UTube Video, 2006, 7:19 min.  Master Jesse Tsao performs. 

Yang Tai Chi National 24 Form.   Video - Google, 4:37.  Graceful young lady in a pink Tai Chi uniform. 

Yang Taijiquan 24 Form.  UTube Video, 2006, 5:51 min.  A young woman performs the form. 

Tai Chi 24 Forms.  UTube Video, 6:25.  Performed by Paul Lam, M.D.. 

Search UTube:  Tai Chi Chuan Yang 24

Return to the Main Index for this Webpage

List of Movements
National Standard T'ai Chi Ch'uan 24 Short Form
Standard Simplified Version, 24 Movements, 1956, Yang Style Taijiquan

2.  Wild Horse Shakes Its Mane    (Ye Ma Fen Zong)  

Part the Wild Horse's Mane  (Yema Fenzong)   [Liang & Wu]
Wild Horse Waves Its Mane  [Zhang Fuxing]
Parting a Wild Horse's Mane  (Zuo You Ye Ma Fen Zong)  [Foen Tjoeng Lie]  
Wild Horse Parts Its Mane  [Chong] 
Parting the Horse's Mane  [Metzger & Zhou]
Wild Horse Splits Mane  [Zhao] 
Wild Horse Shakes Its Mane 
Mustang Tosses Its Wild Mane 
Left (左 : Zou) Part the Wild Horse's Mane (Zou Yema Fenzong)
Right (右 : You) Part the Wild Horse's Mane (You Yema Fenzong) 
Wild Horse Shakes Its Mane  [Garofalo] 
Le Cheval Sauvage Secoue Sa Crinière 
Wildes Pferd Rüttelt Seine Mähne
El Caballo Salvaje Sacudare Su Melena
野马分鬃  : Ye Ma Fen Zong  :  Parting the Wild Horse's Mane 

3.  White Crane Spreads Its Wings    (Bai E Liang Chi)   

White Crane Spreads Its Wings  (Baihe Liangchi)  [Liang & Wu, Zhang Fuxing]
The Stork Spreading Its Wing  (Bai Ne Liang Chi)  [Foen Tjoeng Lie]
Stork Spreading Its Wings  [Metzger & Zhou]  
White Crane Spreads Out Its Wing  [Chong] 
White Crane Shows Its Wings  [Zhao] 
White Stork Spreading Its Wings
White Crane Lifts Its Wings
White Stork Cools Its Wings
White Crane Spreads Its Wings  [Garofalo]
La Grue Blanche Répand Ses Ailes 
Weißer Kran Verbreitet Seine Flügel 
La Grúa Blanca Separa Sus Alas 
白鵝亮翅  :  Bai E Liang Chi 

4.  Brush Knee    (Lou Xi)    

Brush Knee and Step Forward  (Louxi Aobu)  [Liang & Wu] 
Brush Knee and Twist Step  [Zhang Fuxing]   
Brush You Knee and Step  (Zuo You Lu Xi Niu Bu)  [Foen Tjoeng Lie]
Brushing Your Knees and Stepping  [Metzger & Zhou]
Brushing the Knees and Taking Zigzag Steps  [Chong] 
Brush Knee and Turn Steps  [Zhao] 
Twist Step, Brush Knee, Palm Strike
Brush Knee [Garofalo] 
Genou De Brosse 
Bürste Knie 
Rodilla Del Cepillo
左搂膝拗步  :  Lou Xi Ao Bu  :  Brush Knee and Twist Step 

6.  Step Back and Repulse Monkey    (Dao Nian Hou)    

Reverse Reeling Forearm (Daojuan Gong)  [Liang & Wu]
Step Back to Drive the Monkey Away  [Zhang Fuxing; Chong]  
Step Back and Swirl Your Arms  (Zuio You Dao Jun Hong)  [Foen Tjoeng Lie]
Fending Off the Monkey  [Metzger & Zhou]
Back-rolling the Forearms  [Chong] 
Repulse the Monkey  [Zhao] 
Repulse Monkey and Step Back 
Step Back and Drive Monkey Away 
Step Back and Repulse Monkey  [Garofalo] 
Étape Arrière et Singe D'échec 
Schritt Rückseitig und Repulse-Affe  
Paso Trasero y Mono de la Repulsión 
倒撵猴  :  Dao Nian Hou  

7.  Grasping the Sparrow's Tail - Left   (Zuo Lan Que Wei)   

Left-Grasp the Sparrow's Tail  (Zuolan Quewei)  [Liang & Wu]
Grasp the Bird's Tail on the Left  [Zhang Fuxing] 
Grasping the Sparrow's Tail - Left  (Zuo Lan Qiao Wei)  [Foen Tjoeng Lie: Metzger & Zhou]
Grasping the Bird's Tail, Left Mode  [Chong] 
Left Grasp the Peacock's Tail  [Zhao] 
Grasp the Sparrow's Tail to Left Side
Grasping the Peacock's Tail to Left 
Four Gates
Grasp the Sparrow's Tail to the Left Side (Zuo Lan Qiaowei)
Grasping the Sparrow's Tail - Left  [Garofalo] 
Saisir le Côté Gauche de la Queue du Moineau
Fassen der Endstück-linken Seite des Spatzen 
Agarrar el Llado Izquierdo de la Cola del Gorrión
拦雀尾左  :  Lan Que Wei Zou :  Grasp the Bird's Tail Left

10.  Waving Hands Like Clouds    (Yun Shou)

Wave Hands Like Clouds  (Yunshou)  [Liang & Wu]
Wave Hands Like Clouds  [Zhang Fuxing, Zhao]  
Move Hands Like Clouds  (Yun Shou)  [Foen Tjoeng Lie] 
Moving Hands Like Clouds  [Metzger & Zhou]
Waving Hands Like Clouds Drifting By  [Chong] 
Waving Hands Like Clouds
Cloud Built Hands
Wave Hands in Clouds
Waving Hands Like Clouds  [Garofalo]  
Les Mains Ondulantes Aiment Des Nuages 
Wellenartig Bewegende Hände Mögen Wolken 
Las Manos Que Agitan Tienen Gusto De las Nubes
云手  :  Yun Shou 

Return to the Main Index for this Webpage

Descriptions and Instructions for the 24 Movements
Standard Simplified 24 Taijiquan Form in the Yang Style
 

First Section of Standard Simplified 24 Form Tai Chi (Yang Style)
Movements 1 - 5