Tai Chi Short Form

How to do it

Move through a short form continuously at roughly walking-pace slowness, never fully straightening the legs and never stopping between movements. Let the breath find its own rhythm rather than matching it to the shapes. If you don't know a form yet, ten minutes of Cloud Hands is a complete practice on its own.

1. 1Commencing FormFeet shoulder-width, arms float up and settle down. Everything begins here.
2. 2Parting the Wild Horse's ManeStep and shift, one hand rising and one sinking, left then right.
3. 3White Crane Spreads Its WingsSit back on one leg, one hand lifts to the temple, the other settles by the hip.
4. 4Brush Knee and PushStep forward, one hand brushes past the knee, the other pushes forward. Alternate sides.
5. Cloud Hands5Shift side to side, hands circling as though turning a wheel.Full instructions →
6. 6Grasp the Bird's Tail — leftWard off, roll back, press, push — the four core energies, on the left.
7. 7Grasp the Bird's Tail — rightThe same four, mirrored to the right.
8. 8Cross Hands and CloseBring the hands to cross at the chest, then let them sink. Stand still before you walk away.