The 24-posture Simplified Form of t'ai chi ch'uan, sometimes called the Beijing form for its place of origin, is a short version of T'ai chi composed

AUDIO taiji quan
The History form was the result of an effort by the Chinese Sports Committee, which, in 1956, brought together four t'ai chi teachers - Chu Guiting, Cai Longyun, Fu Zhongwen, and Zhang Yu - to create a simplified form of t'ai chi as exercise for the masses. The creators truncated the traditional family style t'ai chi forms to 24 postures; taking between four and five minutes to perform and to give the beginner an introduction to the essential elements of t'ai chi ch'uan, yet retain the traditional flavor of traditional longer hand forms (in general, 88-108 postures).[1] Henceforth, this form was avidly promoted by the People's Republic of China for general exercise, and was also taught to internees in Communist "re-education" camps. Due to this official promotion, the 24-form is most likely the t'ai chi-form with the most practitioners in China and the world over (though no surveys have been performed).
Movements

1.Commencing (Qǐshì, 起 势 ), Preparation, Beginning

2.Part the Wild Horse's Mane (Zuoyou Yémǎ Fēnzōng, 左 右 野 马 分 鬃, LEFT and RIGHT

3.White Crane Spreads Its Wings (Báihè Lìangchì, 白 鹤 亮 翅 , Stork/Crane Cools Its Wings

4.Brush Knee and Step Forward (Zuoyou Lōuxī Àobù, 左右 搂搂 拗 步 Brush Knee and Twist Step, LEFT and RIGHT

5.Playing the Lute (Shǒuhūi Pípā, 手挥 琵 琶(This character is never used alone), Strum the Lute, Play Guitar


6.Reverse Reeling Forearm (Zuoyou Dao djeenn Gong, 左右倒 卷 肱), Step Back and Drive Monkey Away, LEFT and RIGHT


7.Left Grasp Sparrow's Tail (Zuo Lan Quewei, 左揽雀 尾), Grasp the Bird's Tail


1.Ward Off (Peng)2.Rollback (Lu)3.Press (Ji)4.Push (An)
8.Right Grasp Sparrow's Tail (You Lan Quewei, 右揽雀尾)


9.Single Whip (Danbian, 单 鞭


10.Wave Hands Like Clouds (Yunshou, 云手), Cloud Hands, Cloud Built Hands, Wave Hands in Clouds


11.Single Whip (Danbian, 单鞭)


12.High Pat on Horse (Gao Tan Ma, 高探,马, Step Up to Examine Horse)

13.Right Heel Kick (You Dengjiao, 右蹬http://www.nciku.com/search/zh/searchorder/1307594/脚/脚

脚 (腳, 腳)

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• [jiǎo]
• Listen
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Measure Words:

双  [shuāng]

| 只  [zhī] ), Separate Right Foot, Kick with Right Foot

14.Strike to Ears with Both Fists (Shuangfeng Guan ér, 双峰贯耳)


15.Turn Body and Left Heel Kick (Zhuanshen Zuo Dengjiao, 转身左蹬脚)


16.Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg (Zuo Xiashi Duli, 左下势独立)


1.Single Whip Squatting Down, Snake Creeps Down,


2.Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg, Golden Bird Standing Alone


17.Right Lower Body and Bird Stand on One Leg (You Xiashi Duli, 右下势独立)


18.Shuttle Back and Forth (Youzuo Yunu Chuansuo, 右左玉女穿梭), Fair Lady Works with Shuttles, (Walking Wood), Four Corners, RIGHT and LEFT


19.Needle at Sea Bottom (Haidi Zhen, 海底针)


20.Fan Through Back (Shan Tong Bi, 闪通臂), Fan Penetrates Back


21.Turn Body, Deflect, Parry, and Punch (Zhuanshen Banlanchui, 转身搬 拦捶)


22.Appears Closed (Rufeng Sibi, 如封似闭), Withdraw and Push, as if Closing a Door


23.Cross Hands (Shizishou, 十字手)


24.Closing (Shoushi, /收势)


[edit] Variations5-Section Taijiquan: includes 5 routines, each modelled on the choreography of the Beijing 24-Taijiquan-form.

[edit] References1.^ EverydayTaiChi.com
Lee, Douglas (1976). Tai Chi Chuan: The Philosophy of Yin and Yang and Its Application. Black Belt Communications. ISBN 0-89750-044-X.
Robinson, Ronnie (2006). Total Tai Chi: A Step-by-step Guide to Tai Chi at Home for Everybody. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.. ISBN 1-84483-262-7.
Liang, Shou-Yu; Wen-Ching Wu (1996). Tai Chi Chuan: 24 And 48 Postures With Martial Applications. YMAA Publication Center. ISBN 1-886969-33-7.
Kiew Kit, Wong (2002). The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3440-7.
[edit] See alsoWushu (sport)
42-form tai chi chuan
[edit] External linksBeijing 24 aka the 24 step form aka Simplified 24: Overview of the form with suggested reading, video clips and links to resources
Simplified 24 Form T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Yang Style): Bibliography, Links, Quotes, Notes, List.
Shouyu Liang & Sam Masich. Simplified 24 Taijiquan