Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Fair Maiden Weaves with Shuttle ~ Left (Move 68)

This video shows move 68 of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form which is called "Fair Maiden Weaves with Shuttle : Left".

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Fair Maiden Weaves with Shuttle ~ Right (Move 67)

This video shows move 67 in the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  This movement is called "Fair Maiden Weaves with Shuttle: Right".

Should it be called the Tai Chi 8 Form or the Tai Chi 10 Form?

In my last post discussing the Tai Chi 8 Form / Tai Chi 10 Form you found out a couple reasons why the same form, with the same movements will end up with the movements being counted differently according to different instructors.  In this post we will take a quick look at which name is better for the Tai Chi 8 Form / Tai Chi 10 Form.

This is both a very easy and somewhat difficult question to answer.  The name it should be called really comes down to perspective and preference.  Therefore, there is no single name that is necessarily better than the other.

As mentioned in a previous post, calling this form the Tai Chi 10 Form is the most practical and logical name for several reasons.  One is that pretty much ever other Taijiquan form counts the beginning and ending movements of the form.  Therefore, it makes sense to follow the convention with this form as well.  Additionally, it gives a more accurate count for the movements that are being done. 

However, some still prefer calling this form the Tai Chi 8 Form.  To me, calling it the Tai Chi 8 Form simply sounds better and looks more appealing in writing.  Whereas, calling it the Tai Chi 10 Form seems a little more rigid somehow. 

In all honesty, there are two main things that determine whether you should call it the Tai Chi 8 Form or the Tai Chi 10 Form.  The first is what your instructor calls it.  Out of respect, it is best to call it the same thing your teacher calls it.  The second is your own preference.  If you are learning the form from videos, or if your instructor has no preference as to what the form is called, because both names are valid, call it whatever resonates with you and enjoy practicing this unique form.

You may wonder what makes this form unique?  Why was it made and why you should learn it?  Stay tuned for future posts where we will dive into more details on the Tai Chi 8 Form / Tai Chi 10  Form.

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Fair Maiden Weaves with Shuttle ~ Left (Move 66)

This video shows the movement "Fair Maiden Weaves with Shuttle: Left", which is the 66th move of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Single Whip (Move 65)

This video shows "Single Whip" which occurs several times in the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  This is the 65th movement of this form.

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Grasp Sparrow's Tail ~ Ward off, Rollback, Press, Push (Move 64)

This video demonstrates move 64 of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  This movement is called "Grasp Sparrow's Tail: Ward off, Rollback, Press, Push".

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Parting Wild Horse's Mane ~ Right (Move 63)

In this video you will find instructions for move 63 of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  The name of this movement is "Parting Wild Horse's Mane ~ Right".

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Parting Wild Horse's Mane ~ Left (Move 62)

This video offers instructions on the 62nd movement of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  THis movement is called "Parting Wild Horse's Mane ~ Left".

Why are the Tai Chi 8 Form and 10 Form Postures Counted Differently?

The last time we discussed the Tai Chi 8 Form/10 Form we discussed how these two forms are really the same form that has had its movements counted differently.  In that post I promised to discuss why anyone would count moves differently and cause confusion by doing so.  A person who is new to the world of Tai Chi would probably think that the 8 Form and the 10 Form are two separate forms based on their names and that is not helping anyone.

Unfortunately, the practice of calling the same form by more than one name is quite common in the world of Tai Chi.  If you look at the Yang style long form, for example, you will find people who say it has 85 moves, the Yang family counts it at 103 movements, and many people list 108 movements in the form.  It is important to note, however, that all of these forms are essentially the same.

There are two main driving factors that play into the numbering of a form.  One is Chinese numerology.  Certain numbers are considered more auspicious than others.  Thus a form's movements will be counted in a way that adds up to a more auspicious number.  The number eight for example is considered to be a lucky number, therefore, counting the postures of the 10 Form in such a way that it comes out to 8 movements is more stylish than simply counting the movements.

The other approach to counting the movements of a form is to consider practically what each move is and count it accordingly. Very straight-forward and practical, but not as much fun and certainly less thought-provoking.

Since there is no consensus about exactly how to count the moves of a Tai Chi form, the current practice of calling a single form by several names will probably continue indefinitely.  If you are new to Tai Chi, having an instructor that can help you navigate the wild-west of Tai Chi form names can be very helpful.  In my next post I will discuss which name is better for the Tai Chi 8 Form / 10 Form.  Stay tuned.

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Parting the Horse's Mane ~ Right (Move 61)

This video explains the 61st movement of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  The name of this movement is "Parting the Horse's Mane ~ Right".

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Moves 59 - 60

In the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form, movements 59-60 are exact duplicates of movements 18-19.  Since previous videos have given detailed instructions for these movements they are summarized and reviewed in this video, but are not taught in great detail.   If you need more details go to our Tai Chi Forms page and watch the videos for movements 18-19 (or see links below).

The Names for movements 59-60 are listed below:
59. Grasp Sparrow's Tail: Ward off, Rollback, Press, Push
60. Single Whip







18. Grasp Sparrow’s Tail: Ward off,Rollback, Press, Push
19. Single Whip

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Moves 55 - 58

In the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form, movements 55-58 are exact duplicates of movements 14-17.  Since previous videos have given detailed instructions for these movements they are summarized and reviewed in this video, but are not taught in great detail.   If you need more details go to our Tai Chi Forms page and watch the videos for movements 14-17 (or see links below).

The Names for movements 55-58 are listed below:
55. Step Forward, Parry, and Punch
56. Seal Tight (Apparent Close Up)
57. Embrace the Tiger and Return to the Mountain
58. Close Form / Transition Form (Cross Hands)

Move 58 is the end of the second section of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.






14. Step Forward, Parry, and Punch
15. Apparent Close Up
16. Embrace the Tiger and Carry it to the Mountain
17. Close form/Transition form (Cross Hands) (End of 1st part of form/ beginning of 2nd part)

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Turn Body and Chop with Fist (Move 54)

This video offers instructions for the 54th movement of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form, which is called "Turn Body and Chop with Fist".

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Turn Body and Right Heel Kick (Move 53)

This video shows instructions for the 53rd video of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  This movement is called "Turn Body and Right Heel Kick".

What is the Tai Chi 8 Form? Is it different from the Tai Chi 10 Form?

The first thing to know about the Tai Chi 8 Form is that it is identical to the Tai Chi 10 Form.  If that is the case, why are they named differently?  It all has to do with how you count the movements of the form.  The 8 Form does not count the first and last movements "1. Begin Taiji" or "10. Close Taiji".  The movements are listed below so you can see what I mean.  The first number listed represents how the movements are counted in the 10 Form and the numbers in brackets correspond to how the movements are counted in the 8 Form.

1. Begin Taiji
2. (1) Repulse Monkey (Right & Left)
3. (2) Brush Knee and Push (Left & Right)
4. (3) Part the Horse's Mane (Left & Right)
5. (4) Cloud Hands (Left & Right)
6. (5) Rooster Stands on One Leg (Right & Left)
7. (6) Heel Kick (Right & Left)
8. (7) Grasp the Sparrow's Tail (Right & Left)
9. (8) Cross Hands
10. Close Taiji

Why would anyone choose to cause confusion by counting the moves differently?   That is a great question and we will get into the answer in a future post.  Stay tuned.



#taichi #taijiquan #taiji #taichichuan

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Left Heel Kick (Move 52)

This video Explains the 52nd movement of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form.  This move is called "Left Heel Kick".

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Twin Fists Strike Opponent's Ears (Move 51)

In this video the 51st movement of the Yang Tai Chi 108 Form is explained.  The name of this movement is "Twin Fists Strike the Opponent's Ears". 

Yang Tai Chi 108 Form: Right Heel Kick (Move 50)

This video explains the 50th movement of the Yang style Tai Chi 108 Form.