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

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

Section 3

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

Section 4

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

Section 5

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