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Forms
Forms are a set series of movements that we learn in Tai Chi. Once learnt the Form pattern is then refined and improved. One eventually reaches a level in Form Practice where the next movement is automatically performed by the body with minimal guidance. Progression is made by learning more challenging movements and increasing the number of movements. We achieve this by introducing new Forms. Progress is also achieved by increasing one’s awareness of relaxation in the mind and body, which is only possible once the movements become more automatic. The key is to stay very aware while performing the Form maintaining present moment awareness and avoiding drifting off into a dream! Below is a list of my Front Facing Forms.
Simplified Sun Style Beginner Form
This is one of my front facing forms. It’s purpose is to introduce beginners to Tai Chi in the simplest and most effective way. Also I believe that no effort should be wasted. No form should be learnt and then disgarded later on when one learns more complex form. I teach this form everywhere. I teach in my main club, care homes, over sixties, special needs, EMI sufferers. It has so much energy and is such an achievable little form. I usually manage to teach the first part of this form within 5-6 weeks.
Sun Style Beginner Form extended.
I’ve added extensions to the form above to add more movement, new movements of balance, increased coordination and foundation movements for future forms.
Yang Style Beginner 9 Forms.
The Easy 8 Forms is a little known form that is part of the Beijing Government Forms. It is a shortened version of the more popular Yang Style 24 Forms. This beginner form has all the basic movements of Yang Tai Chi in it. I have modified this form to make it even more simple than the original. I have taken out the complexity of stepping to the side and developed a forward step that is repeated throughout the form. This enables one to practice the form in a very confined space. As The Form does not take up a lot of space it can be comfortably practiced indoors. Fluid Practice of Tai Chi is essential to gain the maximum relaxation while in motion. Stop-start practices are disrupting and break up the flow. A compact form dispenses with this inconvenience.
I have also added multiple repetitions of each movement. This means that as each new movement is performed it is then repeated for a given number of times before the next new movement is performed. This transforms the practice into becoming a Tai Chi Moving Meditation. Traditionally one needs to know a form so well before one can settle into it and relax. Continually focusing on remembering what the next movement is, takes away the deeper relaxation of the form and turns it into a memory exercise. My new easier version of the 8 forms is now a Master Relaxation Tai Chi Form. By removing the need to constantly change stances and move into new movements, one can sink into the rhythm of the form and relax more deeply. The deeper the relaxation, the better the Chi(Energy) Flows. Using 4 repetitions per movement the form takes 9 to 11 minutes to perform. This is double the time it takes to complete the 24 Forms, which generally takes 5 minutes. The longer one can continue in the form the deeper one goes into the Tai Chi Deep state of Relaxation. Extending the duration of the forms brings about a profound shift in one’s brain waves moving into a higher vibration that is beyond thinking. The state of relaxation one feels is really beyond description. Suffice to say that once experienced there is no substitute.
The other very important reason this form is transforming my Classes is that it’s very easy to follow the Instructor. As there are no directional changes, one can always follow the Instructor in the Front. For Someone who has ever tried a Tai Chi Class or taught a Class knows this is one of the most frustrating aspects for both Instructor and Student. Also the repetition of the same movements makes it easier to learn and follow.
Finally, with the repetitions of the same movement one can finish a class and then go home and practice the movement continuously. It can loop for as long as you want. This enables a new student to go home the first evening and practice the opening sequence over and over. As one learns 3 or 4 movements one can use the repetition technique to extend the duration of the form up to as long as is desired.
Now you have read about the 9 Forms Yang, I have to say at the moment I am not teaching it as The Sun Style part one and two has proved sufficient in basics to warrant jumping straight into the Next Level Form.
Next Level.
The next Form after this is the Zen Combined Form.
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