Yang style "Old Frame" 108 Movement Long Form of Taijiquan
The Yang 108 Movement "Old Frame" form is divided into three forms: Short form, Second form, and Third form. Once all the forms are learned, they are practiced as the 108 Movement Long form. Click here to view videos of Sifu Bear's performance of each form as well as his performance of the Dragon Studios Staff form. Note: videos may take some time to load, depending upon your connection speed.
The form is practiced slowly; the movements precise and relaxed. Performing the movements allows the chi to flow freely through the practitioner, maintaining health and vitality. By learning to practice in a meditative way, the practitioner learns to quiet the mind and move with confidence. By practicing with the body relaxed, the practitioner learns to keep the meridians open, channeling internal energy into the limbs, making the movements both powerful and effortless. Once the practioner has learned and perfected their slow execution of the form, they are encouraged to increase their speed until they can move at a "combat" speed and still have a free chi flow and effortless movement.
Yang Short Form
The Yang "Short form" is a series of 27 movements which moves the chi one revolution through the body. The Short form introduces several moves that are repeated throughout the Long form and provides the foundation for all Taiji movement. The "13 Postures" of Tai Chi are found in the Short form. Click here to view a pictorial of the Yang "Short form".
- Opening of Tai Chi
- Grasp the Bird's Tail Right
- Grasp the Bird's Tail Left
- Roll Back and Push Up (The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out)
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike (The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out)
- Press Forward and Roll Wrists (The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out)
- Separate Hands and Push (The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out)
- Turn to Single Whip
- Lift Hands and Step Forward to Play Guitar (right hand lead)
- Reverse Throat Strike
- Elbow Strike
- Crane Spreads Wings
- Play Guitar (left hand lead)
- Stroking the Wild Horse’s Mane
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Right
- Brush Knee, Twist Step and Slant Strike Right (Slant Flying -1)
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Left
- Brush Knee Twist Step and Slant Strike Left (Slant Flying-2)
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Right
- Brush Knee, Twist Step and Slant Strike Right (Slant Flying-3)
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Left
- Brush Knee, Twist Step and Slant Strike Left (Slant Flying-4)
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike Right
- Stroking the Wild Horse’s Mane
- Step Out and Hammer Right
- Sweep the Foot and Ram
- Apparent Closing
Yang Second Form
The Yang "Second form" builds on to the movements of the Short form, demonstrating the full range of movement and combat technique offered through Taijiquan practice. The Second form continues directly from Short form, hence the movement name, "Apparent Closing," above.
- Embrace Tiger, Return To Mountain
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Single Whip
- Cobra Strike
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (right hand)
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (left hand)
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (right hand)
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (left hand)
- Stroking the Wild Horse’s Mane
- Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
- Raise Arms Like Fan
- Back Fist Strike
- Step Back, Sweep the Foot and Ram
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Single Whip
- Wave Hands Like Clouds (three steps to the left)
- Single Whip Strike
- Blooming Lotus
- Palm Strike
- Wheel Kick (right foot)
- Crane Kick (left foot)
- Turn Left, Toe Trap, and Dragon Stomp (left foot)
- Slant Flying
- Roll Back to Reverse Strike
- Slant Flying
- Ram to the Ground
- Step Out and Hammer Right
- Step Back, Sweep Foot and Ram
- Crane Kick (right foot)
- Step Forward to Throw the Tiger
- Step Backward, Throwing the Tiger
- Step Backward, Striking the Tiger
- Step Backward, Striking the Tiger
- High Block, Duck, and Kick Up with Left Foot
- Grasp Knee then Step to Wind to the Ears
- Open and Pivot Right
- High Block, Duck, and Kick Up with Right Foot
- Grasp Knee then Step to Wind to the Ears
- Pivot Behind to Left
- High Block, Duck, and Kick Up with Right Foot
- Ram Strike
- Apparent Closing
Yang Third Form
The Yang "Third form" closes out the series with a few challenging movements. Like Second form, Third form continues directly from "Apparent Closing"
- Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Single Whip
- Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane
- Ward off Left
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Single Whip
- The Beautiful Lady Works the Shuttles
- Ward off Left
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Turn to Single Whip
- Wave Hands Like Clouds
- Single Whip Strike
- Snake Creeps Down
- Golden Cock Stands on Right Leg
- Golden Cock Stands on Left Leg
- Dragon Stomp Left
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (right hand)
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (left hand)
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (right hand)
- Step Back and Repulse Monkey (left hand)
- Stroking the Wild Horse’s Mane
- Needle at the Bottom of the Sea
- Raise Arms Like Fan
- White Snake’s Tongue Leaps Out
- High Block, Step Up and Ram
- Pass Through to Throw, Step and Push
- The Waves Go In - The Waves Go Out
- Quarter-turn to Single Whip
- Blooming Lotus
- Stroking the Wild Horse’s Mane
- Slant Flying, Striking with Palms
- Dragon Stomp Left
- Step Back to Repulse Monkey, Striking with Right Palm
- Step Back to Repulse Monkey, Striking with Left Palm
- Stroking the Wild Horse’s Mane
- Step Out to Hammer Right
- Sweep the Foot and Ram
- End of Taiji, Return To Wuji
