Yang Style Long Form, Part 1 · Mindful Moves Tai Chi Chuan

Part one covers the first 20 postures. As a beginner, the goal is to focus on body structure and the sequence. Then, as you advance, you slow it down with every movement flowing into the next and expressing the tai chi principles with your form.

The Yang Style Long Form, often called 108 movement, is the traditional long form of Yang family tai chi. It traces back to Yang Luchan, who learned from the Chen family in the 1800s, and it took the shape most of us practice today under his grandson, Yang Chengfu. It has three parts with posture repetition. That repetition is the point, though. Every time a posture returns, you get another chance to settle into it, find your root, and notice what your body is actually doing. You’ll also find the count and the names shift a little depending on the lineage (some call it 85 or 103).

End Notes

Like many martial arts forms, as this form was passed along from teacher to student and from one language to another, there are small changes to the movements and the terminology used. This is how I learned the form.

The lessons

1. Beginning FormCommencement

2. Ward off leftGrasping Sparrow's Tail

3. Ward off rightGrasping Sparrow's Tail Coming soon

4. Roll backGrasping Sparrow's Tail Coming soon

5. Press forwardGrasping Sparrow's Tail Coming soon

6. Sit back then pushGrasping Sparrow's Tail Coming soon

7. Single whip Coming soon

8. Lifting hands Coming soon

9. Elbow stroke to white crane flashes its wings Coming soon

10. Brush knee and strike Coming soon

11. Play the guitar Coming soon

12. Left brush knee and strike Coming soon

13. Right brush knee and strike Coming soon

14. Center brush knee and strike Coming soon

15. Play the guitar Coming soon

16. Brush knee and strike Coming soon

17. Scoopcatch the record Coming soon

18. Deflect, parry and punch Coming soon

19. Seal the breath and push Coming soon

20. Close by throwing the soap bubble Coming soon