Tai Chi "40 forms" tutorial Online tutorials covering Tai Chi '40 forms', of the Yan style. All little details covered. Beginners and advanced readers will find it equally useful.

All contents of this site is provided strictly on the AS IS basis. The author should not be held responsible for any negative effects that may result from reading or applying the information or using software provided here. The author does not make any medical, financial or other claims - all statements are author's opinions ONLY. Use your own judgment. Visibility is very important for this site. If you like it please link to this URL or use our online form to add your reciprocal link. Learn more about reciprocal links Tai Chi "40 forms" Introduction The "40 forms" Tai Tzi Tsuan (Tai Chi) set of techniques was created from the "traditional" 108 forms, by removing repetitions and some minor adjustments of the technique. The idea was to create a straightforward form, that is shorter, but still includes all the essential movements. Therefore, we now have 3 "major" forms (there are many other forms, and they are important, too. The fact that I do not call them "major" should not misgiude you). The first is "24 forms", that by all means should be learned first. It is easier to learn, and some skills that are assumed present in 40 or 108 forms students, are emphasized in 24 forms. The second one is "40 forms". It is a "fully functional" one, and people that prefer to skip it and jump right to 108, probably make a mistake. The 108 is the third, the longest one. If you are already familiar with the "40 forms", learning "108" is just the mater of remembering the order of already familiar techniques. In this tutorial, we will focus on the "40 forms" of Tai Tzi Tsuan of the style Yan, called after the master Yan Lu Chan. Tai Tzi means "the great limit". Tsuan means "fist". The fist of the great limit. The "limit" is a metaphor here, as many other things in Chinese philosophy, there is no limit, but only our quest for it. Fair warning One disadvantage the book has, when you compare it to the live class is the fact, that in the class the teacher can repeat the "rules" many times. Like "keep your back straight". In the book I can only do it here and there, otherwise the book will be too long. Nevertheless, there is a reason teachers repeat these rules, and the reason is - the students, especially the beginners, break these rules EVERY time they can. This was your fair warning. Learn the "rules", or find some other name for what you are doing, as it is not going to be "Tai Chi". Points In the text, I am referring to some points located on the energy meridians. The list of points can be found at the web site. Sample 0. Initial form. Tsi Shi North. Initial position: heels together, toes together, knees straight, but not locked (just slightly bent). Palms are turned towards the body, touching the sides of the thighs. In this position, enter the "Chi Gun state", also called "U-dzi" ("U" as in "book"), the state of a complete mental relaxation, with no thoughts. Feel your body growing, and dissolving. Of course, at the beginning you will just pretend to be relaxed, later this state will become natural for you. Concentrate on the bai huei point (top of the head), then move your attention to the lower dan tjan. "Pull" your body together again, moving your attention and your weight to your right side, starting from the right foot; at the end, 100 percent of your weight should be on your right foot. As your left foot becomes "empty", step to the left with your left foot, keep your weight on the right foot. It should be as it your left foot stepped to the left by itself. As your right knee remains (almost) straight, the only way to do this step is by putting the left foot on its toes. First, the thumb of the left foot touches the ground, then the second toe ("pointing finger"), the third, and so on. In the same time, begin shifting your weight to the left. After all toes are on the ground, keep moving your weight to the left, so that the outer edge of the left foot gets in touch with the ground, first its front part, then the middle, then the outer side of the heel. At the end, your weight should be distributed equally between left and right feet. By moving your weight from the thumb, by the circle to the heel, you are creating the initial "spin", as all tai chi movements are based in the never-ending circles. This same circular motion creates the initial spin in your lower dan tjan (feel it, or at least keep your attention there). Also notice, that the point in the middle of your foot (jyn tsuan, see the list of points at the web site) should not be pressed against the ground, it is very close, but if you take a strip of paper, you should be able to push it under your foot, from the side of the thumb. That means, that the weight is more on the outer edge of the foot, then on the inner side. However, in the same time, the thumb must touch the floor. After the weight is on both feet, we need to turn our palms so that they face backwards. To do it, first, lift your baby finger from the surface of your thigh, as if it "knows" where the palm will be, and is going there. Then lift the ring finger, and so on, every time turning the palm a little, too. The last, thumb is turning. Keep your attention at the finger that currently moves. Also, make sure your dzjan dzi points (shoulders, see the list of points at the web site) are relaxed. Note, that all that was said at the web site about the way your palms should be in Chi Gun, applies to Tai Chi as well. The fingers should be straight, forming a line (not an arch) with the palm. There should be an arch between the thumb and the pointing finger (not a sharp angle), and there should be an arch between the thumb and a baby finger (which means the thumb should not be in the same plane where the palm is). The "meaning" of our stepping to the side with focus on the circles was "waking up" the circles in the lower dan tjan and in our body in general. The "meaning" of the next form is to "awaken" our palms. Imagine that there are two spheres, size of a footbal ball, right at the level of your palms. You need to allow your palms to move around them, brushing their surface. In the same time, as your attention goes to your palms, the palms should become warmer. When you practice Chi Gun long enough, you will be able to turn your palms red just by focusing on them. This little sub-form takes about 5 seconds to complete (you can do it slower if you choose to). As your palms move, they may turn a little, to point at 45 degrees to the sides. After your palms moved all the way back, move them forward at the same trajectories, to end up in the position where you have started (fingers pointing down, palms turned back). Note that we only move (bend and turn) palms, elbows and shoulders are not supposed to move during this exercise. Imagine, that your hands are very (infinitely) long, that they go down in the ground. Keep your attention at the points dzjan dzi at your shoulders, making sure the shoulders are relaxed and down. Hands should NOT be tense. Bring your hands up-forward to the shoulder level, keeping the feeling that they are very long. The coccyx should be turned forward, or (the same thing) you should push your min men point back, keeping your back flat, with no curve forward in the waist. If you do it correct, you will be able to raise your hands without using physical strength, even if someone staying in front of you is holding your wrists. You will push him forward, while the force he applies to you will go down, through the middle of your feet, into the ground. Note, that if your back is not flat, this same force will break your balance and you will fall back. Then (do not think of long hands anymore) bend your hands slightly, and allow your hands to go down, until the angle between them and your body is about 30 degrees. All this time your palms should be parallel to the ground. While bringing hands down, bend your knees, so that your body moves down to the "working" depth (Chi Shi). The "working" depth is personal for everyone. Generally speaking, the deeper you sit, the better, but most people cannot do that AND in the same time to follow multiple rules and restrictions (mentioned both in this text and at the web site). The way it is shown at the picture is fine for an average Tai Chi student. The most important thing to keep im mind when choosing the "working debth", as well as when doing ANYTHING in Tai Chi, is NOT to break rules. Let's say you are going down by bending your knees. Then at some point you will reach a limit. To sit lower, you will either have to bend forward (against the rules: you must keep your back straight), or to move your coccyx back (against the rules: it will bend your lower back forward. The lower back must be straight, you should always push the "min men" point back a little bit). Or you will have to move your weight to your toes, which is wrong, too. Therefore, you should not go down below that limit. Note, that recognizing your limits (and fixing problems as they appear) and opponent's limits (and forcing him to break them, and therefore to loose the balance) is an important part of Tai Chi martial techniques. 1. Ward-Off Left North Unlike in Form 24, in Form 40 we may turn on the "loaded" foot. To comply with the tai chi rules, we need to make this foot empty WITHOUT physically moving our body towards the other foot. It may seem impossible, but is, as the mater of fact, simple. As your weight is on your "loaded" foot, move your attention up, from the foot to the lower dan tjan (it may look as a little move back and then forward again). As the result, for a moment, your foot will become "empty", while still carrying your body weight. At the following picture, we move the attention ("chi", actually) up, making the foot empty, and then turn the front foot. Note, that the "coordination" rule still applies, we can only turn the foot together with hips. Move your weight to the right foot and turn 45 degrees right (North-East, NE). In the same time, "take the ball", left hand at the bottom of an imaginary sphere, right hand at top. We need to step North from the position described above. First, bring your empty (no weight on it) left foot towards the right foot (din bu position, facing NE). Then turn left (N), and do an empty step North with your left foot. Note that (you should always keep in mind things like that as doing Form 40 assumes that you are an "advanced" student) we plan to end up in goon boo position at the end of the form. It means that you should not put your left foot to the line that goes North from your right foot. If you do it, then your feet will be too narrow and you will not be able to do a proper goon boo position. Instead, you need to step NW (still facing North), it will guarantee, that in the final goon boo position your feet will be shoulderwidth apart. Note also, that the left foot still points North (as your hips are turned North). In the same time with the empty step, move your left hand up, fingers point to the right, wrist (where you would usually wear watches) pointing outside. Move the right hand down, palm down, fingers pointing forward. Half-way, when your hands meet, the fingers of your right hand should touch the inner side of the left wrist (the pulse). We do not exaggerate it in this form, but this is a (reduced) push, as if you are making your personal space larger by pushing with your right hand onto your left hand and with your left hand onto your opponent. Once again, in this form it is just something to keep in mind, not the actual push. In the same time (when hands touch each other) your left heel should touch the floor. Move 70% of your weight to your left foot to end up in the left goon boo facing North. As you are moving your weight, move your left hand forward at the level of your middle dan tjan (the heart), as if you are pushing against something. Your right hand goes down and to the side. It ends up at the level of your hip, 30 degrees forward from the plane where your body is (see "rules" listed at the web site). Turn right (East) on your loaded left foot, the final position is right din bu, hands holding a ball. 2. Grasp the sparrow's tail Lan Tsuevei East Initial position: left din bu, hands in the "holding a ball" position, facing East. This form is one of the most important in Tai Chi, as it includes most of its basic principles. Phen (pheng) Block the attack at the face level with your right hand. The palm goes up approximately to the eye level, at the beginning its thumb is up (he gu point up), at the end it should be baby finger up. The hand is lifted only by the shoulder joint, while the elbow does not bend. Keep in mind that, as always, the shoulder should remain relaxed, and DOWN, do not lift the shoulder (by "shoulder" here we mean the shoulder joint, as the hand goes up, the shoulder joint should go down). In the same time, bring your left hand towards the solar plexis, by the small curve, blocking it, palm forward, fingers up. In the same time do an empty step forward at 45 degrees, heel touches the floor first. Move your weight forward, to end up in the right goon boo, facing East. Lui "Give the hands away", entering a fully relaxed state. Every move in Tai Chi begins and ends in a fully relaxed (not weak, but mentally relaxed) state called "u dzi" ("u" as in "book"). The relaxation is an inner thing, some kind of readiness to move in any direction without resistance or delay. Also, keep in mind, that "relaxed" hands have nothing to do with high amplitude waving hands, the "lui" is a compact and fully controlled technique. As soon as you enter an empty state, the next movement will appear by itself, from this emptiness. Turn both hands. If the palm was up, it will be down, if it was down, it will face up. In our case, turn the right hand palm down, and left hand palm up. Keep your palms parallel to the ground and at the same level. It is necessary to lock your opponent's elbow properly (as one of the possible interpretations). Keep your fingers straight - even if you work with the real partner, this is a push with palms, not a grasp. The idea of lui (there are many variations of this technique) is to guide opponent's power, so that you are unaffected, while he loses balance. Turn the back (left) foot a little bit outside, move your weight on it, and pull opponent's hand in front of your center (lower dan tjan), parallel to the ground. Note, that the term "pull" above is not quite correct. You are not pulling, but rather pushing down with your hands and moving your opponent around by turning your hips. As you turn your hips, the foot of the front (right) leg should turn, too, pointing in the same direction with hips. Also note, that we are NOT moving hands sideways on this technique. They are in front of our body all the time. By turning our hips, we may create an illusion of hands moving to the side, but it is just an illusion. This is a very important detail, used in many martial arts, from Tai Chi, to Aikido: when you pull with your hands, you can only produce a fraction of the power that you can create by turning hips instead. This is a simple mechanics: your hips are stronger than your hands. Also, if you pull by moving your hands to the side, your right armpit will eventually close, which is against the principles. Your opponent can use it by pushing on your elbow, if the armpit is closed, you will have no power to push back. Dzi Move your front (right) hand by the circle down, then up in front of your solar plexis. The final position should be the following: the hand (from the wrist to the elbow) parallel to the ground and to the chest, the distance between the hand and the chest is about two widths of a palm. The left hand touches the right wrist (a baby finger is at the pulse), fingers of the left hand pointing up. If you stay in front of the mirror, you should be able to see fingers of your left hand, except for the last (closer to wrist) joints. Move your weight to the front foot (goon boo position), push forward with your right hand (between wrist and shoulder), and push at your right hand with your left palm. However, during the weight transition your right hand should remain at the same distance from your chest. It means, as in the "lui" above, that we are using the power of hips, not the power of hands. Only at the end you may "extend" the circle your hands forming, as if you breath in, increasing your personal space. At that point your hand may move forward a bit, increasing the distance between it and your chest. Keep your attention at the lao gun point (see list of points, awailable at the web site), and make sure your fingers are straight and stretched out, as opposed to half-bent and weak. An Allow your left hand to "crawl" forward around the right wrist (from the thumb / pulse towards the baby-finger), the final position is: hands extended forward at the shoulders level, wrists crossed. Make sure wrists are straight (not bent). The "an" means "waves". Move your wrists apart, in the position "hands are forward at the level of shoulders". Move your weight on the back foot, in the same time hands move a little bit sideways and down. Then push forward, think of pushing opponent's shoulders. Unlike in Form 24, in Form 40 we do not lift the foot when moving weight back (in this particular exercise). Note, that you shouldn't move your hands down too much, or you may end up in a position, from which it is not comfortable to perform a push forward. Transition to the next form Turn left on the loaded right foot, 180 degrees. Your body should rotate around a vertical spine, without moving weight to the other foot. During this spin, your hands should slide along the inner surface of an imaginary sphere (or cylinder), imagine, that you are being pushed back and you need to turn and to direct the pushing force around you. Your body is turning using this imaginary "pushing force, that comes to you through your hands. Do not bend your elbows. It is important to keep in mind that this turn, as well as all Tai Chi moves, originates in your hips. Bring the left foot to the right foot, its toes touching the floor (din bu position, facing West). Later in the next form it will do a step West, to end up in a left goon boo position (West). 3. Single whip. Dan Bjan West Initial position: left din bu, facing West. Right hand forms a "claw", at the level of a shoulder, left hand is palm up, its fingers touching the right wrist at the pulse area. How to form a "claw" (a hook): the four fingers should touch the side of a thumb, imitating the grasp on an imaginaginary opponent's hand. DO NOT bend the wrist. Do an empty step towards West with the left foot, heel down, at 45 degrees, so that we eventually end up in a proper goon boo. Move the right hand back a little bit, but make sure it is still 30 degrees forward and NOT in the same plane where the body is. In the "whip", at the very end, we are going to turn the body right a little, and it may create an illusion of the right hand being in the same plane with the back. It is not so, it is still 30 degrees, as stated in the "rules" at the web site. As you turn your body, the left hand moves too, together with the shoulder and NOT by itself. At the end of a turn, the right hand goes a little (just a little) up, and the left hand goes a little bit down. In the same time, the left wrist bends up, but just slightly, the wrist is still almost straight. In the final position your shoulders should be turned inside a little bit more than your hips. Your left hand should be at the shoulder level. Keep in mind, that all moves come from the hips. Particularly, in the "whip", you need to turn first, and only then to do an empty step. It is not allowed to turn and step in the same time. Unlike in Form 24, where the opponent's punch is aimed at your face, in the Form 40 it is aimed at your chest. Your blocking (left) hand should move accordingly. The meaning of this form is: 1) while turning, we have blocked the opponent's punch, and lifted his hand. 2) while doing an empty step, we pushed his hand to the side. 3) while moving forward into a gun bo position, we pushed his hand down with our hand. Keep in mind, that hands and legs should move in a synchronized way. This is the reason Tai Chi is called a dynamic meditation - by doing complex synchronized forms we achieve the inner emptiness and relaxation. In this particular form we have 3 parts (turn - step - goon boo) and 3 hand techniques, synchronized together. Also keep in mind (as always) that the center of gravity should not go up and down - it is moving parallel to the ground. Keep your hands "long", do not bend elbows too much, and do not bring your hands too close to your body. If you do it in a combat situation, the punishment will follow, immediately. 4. Raise hands Ti Show Hanshi North Turn right (North) on your loaded left foot and bring both hands down by circles, half way they move down-outside, the second half down-inside (towards the central line). As your hands go down, the thumbs should point down. Turn palms fingers up and bring hands up in front of your body. In the final position, fingers of the left hand should point at the right elbow, and the fingers of the right hand should point up. The right hand (its fingertips) is at the level of your chin. You are now in the sui bu position, the front foot is touching the floor with its heel. Make sure your armpits are "empty". Note that it is a "position", not a martial technique. You are supposed to simply raise your hands, not to block or attack someone. We simply did opening and closing and ended up in sui bu facing NE. By the way, regardless the fact that, unlike in 24 forms, we do not have to move the weight on the back foot in order to turn the front one, nothing prevents you from doing it, especially if you have sore knee, or some problems with the balance. Continue to Tai Chi '40 forms' eBook Free Taichi and Chi Gun Course The course consists of five E.mails and provides introductory information about Tai Chi, Chi Gun and some related topics. Compare to $$$ that you will have to pay elsewhere. All you need to do is to enter your name (nickname will do) and E.mail address in the form below. Name: E-Mail:

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chi gung
Another name for Chi Gun.

exercise martial arts stretching
The exercises you find on this site can help in martial arts. On a long run, they are one of the best choices.

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Tai Chi and Chi Gung are among the most efficisent stress management techniques.

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Tai Chi has many "forms". They are intended for different purposes and levels.

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Stretching is very important, much more important then people think.

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Meditation is a way to relax, physically and mentally.

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Here you will find an illustrated tutorial.

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On this site, you will find Tai Chi classes with all the necessary details.

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On this site, you will find Tai Chi classes with all details explained.

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Tai Chi is intended primarily for self-development and self-healing.

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On this site you will find a Chi Gung warm-up routine.

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Tai Chi is popular all around the world.

art asian martial
Tai Chi evolved from martial arts, but currently it is more of a meditation technique.

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Stretching is absolutely necessary for our body to be healthy.

meditation technique relaxation
Meditation is a relaxed state, between asleep and awake.

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On this site you will find sequences of pictures, explaining Tai Chi and Chi Gung techniques.

exercise shoulder stretching
Stretching shoulders is one of the ways to affect the neck area of our backbone.

stress relief activity
Dynamic meditation is a good stress relief.

exercise free stretching
Stretching the muscles, we are increasing the blood flow to joints and ligaments, making sure they receive the necessary nutrition.

free meditation technique
Chi Gung is a very efficient meditation technique.

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It is also called Chi Gung Therapy. Chi of one person is used to heal another.

stress relief tip
Relax

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On this web site you will find illustrated textbooks.

child exercise program
Children can do Tai Chi and Chi Gung exercises, supervised.

relaxation technique child
By learning Chi Gung relaxation techniques, children learn to avoid stress.

neck stretching exercise
Strecthing the neck area should be done carefully, and if there is a problem or pain - supervized by the doctor.

tai chi the 24 form
One of the most popular Tai Chi forms.

tai chi the 40 form
One of the most popular Tai Chi forms. Makes a reasonable compromise between the long 108 and simplified 24 forms.

tai chi the 88 form
See 108 forms. It depends on the way forms are counted.

tai chi the 108 form
One of the most popular Tai Chi forms. Presents a complete "traditional" form of Yan style Tai Chi.

stress reduction and relaxation workbook
Use this site as your source of stress reduction information.

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Here you will find the Beginner's Chi Gung class.

back exercise stretching
Stretching the back increases the flow of nutritients to the vertebrae. It is also a self-massage for a backbone.

before exercise stretching
Stretching should be done before Chi Gung exercises. It will increase the efficiency of a class.

management personal stress
Learning Tai Chi will help you to manage the stress.

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Teenagers can do Tai Chi and Chi Gung exercises.

breathing proper technique
In Tai Chi, breathing is very important.

chi tai yoga
Focusing on breathing helps us to empty the mind.

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At this web site you will find strecthing exercises, with all the illustrations you need.

stretching flexibility exercise
Flexibility is very important.

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On this web site we posted the Tai Chi, Chi Gung and some other tutorials.

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In Tai Chi, the back is always straight, however no tention is used.

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Tai Chi is an exellent fitness program

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We used Poser software to create illustration to our Tai Chi books.

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Find our illustrated stretching guide.

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Tai Chi makes people free of stress

different martial art style
Tai Chi is more than just a different martial arts style. It is a meditation technique.

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Tai Chi and Chi Gung are reported to releave the pain in many cases.

chi history tai
There are 5 styles of Tai Chi and countless variations.

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You will find an online exercise program.

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There are five "classical" styles of Tai Chi, named after their founders.

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There are many benefit of tai chi. It is improving the health and releaves the stress.

leg stretching exercise
It is very important to exercise legs, as the way we walk may affect our back.

breathing relaxation technique
Chi Gun is a breathing relaxation technique.

tai chi fighting
Tai Chi can be used as a fighting technique at an advanced level. However that is not the main objective of the Tai Chi training.

tai chi instructions
On this site you will find tutorials, with illustrated Tai Chi instructions.

tai chi clothes
Use free style clothes. Avoid tight closes, creating pressure on the body.

stress management relaxation technique
Relaxation is one of the best stress management tools we have.

tai chi for senior
Ols people can do Tai Chi. Usually, they report signifficant positive changes in health and related areas (memory and so on).

tai chi move
Tai Chi moves are slow, smooth, without sharp angles or tension.

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On this site you will find the tutorial with explanations and pictures about strething and warm-up.

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We use Poser software to create illustration to the books on Tai Chi and Chi Gung.

martial art information
Consider this site, together with Karate site as a source of martial arts and meditation techniques information.

choosing a martial art
It really depends on what you want. Kung Fu is more impressive. Karate is efficient. Tae Kwon Do can be learned fast. Aikido is slow to learn, but it gives an incredible sence of awareness. Tai Chi helps to relax and improve health.

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Consider this site, together with Karate site as a source of martial arts and meditation techniques instructions.

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On this site you will find waste amount of Tai Chi information.

learning how to meditate
Meditation is easy. Actually, this is the most common obstacle, as people expect it to be difficult, and work hard to prove it.

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Peace of mind has its benefits. The ability to make unclouded judgment in the stressfull situation. Balance. Health. Ability to enjoy life...

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Tai Chi evolved from the martial arts technique.

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On this site you will find the exercise programs, both for beginners and advanced students.

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The Wu style is one of five "classical" Tai Chi styles.