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.



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