for B. Klein and others ~ Tai Chi style question?

Question

My friend does 24 form short with the same names that we usually see in the Yang form, but some of her moves are different. For example, she comes out of High Pat the Horse by crossing the ankles, weighted left leg in front, then the right leg comes up and she holds it bent at first, then kicks the leg out straight with the left arm out straight and right hand down and back. Then she brings both hands up in front with palms toward the face, at eye level. From there, Double Bees Buzzing looks conventional, and the turn around to stand on one leg, but Single Whip Squatting Down looks more like something I would call "needle UP from the bottom of the sea." She called it "White Tiger" and says this is an older style than what is usually taught. Does this resemble any style that you have seen? I'm enjoying doing it along with her, but I'd sure like to know what it is!

Bob Klein · Accepted Answer

There are many interpretations of each style.  I have never heard of Double Bees Buzzing but the description you give above seems like forms I have seen.  I have not heard of White Tiger Tai-chi, but there are many animal forms of Tai-chi.  In the case of animal forms, the movements are completely different and not at all like Yang form.  See Tai-chi Tiger Form which I just put up on Youtube.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw-cNBM-aMs)
Also see my "Tai-chi Yang short form  on Youtube
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHYnOjSt8kQ and let me know if what you are practicing seems similar.  The 24 movement form is a specific form, created by the Chinese government and there are many dvds on that form so it should be easy to check the veracity of what you are practicing.  You didn't mention where your friend learned the form.  If you have questions about it you could contact her teacher.  In any case, don't worry about how different people practice differently.  The important thing is that the basic Tai-chi principles are there.  (See www.movementsofmagic.org for articles on Tai-chi principles).  Fluidity, connection to the ground, use of the whole body so that each joint (especially within the torso) is in constant fluid motion, expansion on inbreath and sinking on outbreath, expansion of palms and bottom of the feet on inbreath, head and palms finishing one movement as the hips begin the next, etc., etc. It's the principles that constitute Tai-chi.  You did say you enjoy doing it and that is also very important.  Enjoy your Tai-chi!

for B. Klein and others ~ Tai Chi style question?

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