Form 34: (Xie Bu) Qin Da (Hold and Punch in Crossed Squatting Stance)

Qin means  "grab, capture" , and Qin Da means grab and punch. Because Qin Da is competed together with different stances and footwork, there are other Qin Da movements such as Xie Bu Qin Da (Hold and Punch in Crossed Squatting Stance), Shang Bu Qin Da (Step Forward, Grab and Punch), and Xiao Qin Da (Small Grab and Punch). Tai chi boxing requires proper kung fu clothing to practice.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Step forward with the right foot, and bend two legs to a Xie Bu. Xie Bu means resting stance: two legs cross and get close to a full squat; one foot lands on the ground completely with tiptoes pointing outward, the other foot lands on the ground with the upper part of it, with the knee leaning against the outside of the leading calf and the hips resting on the heel. When the left leg is beneath the right one, it is called Zuo Xie  Bu-left resting stance, while when the right leg is beneath the left one, it is called You Xie Bu-right resting stance.
Upper limbs: Press and grab with the left palm circling from left to front, turn the palm into a fist and position it to the front of the abdomen, with the palm side of fist facing downward and the Hukou part inward; drop the right fist from the body side, and shoot it out forward and downward along the left forearm, till the abdomen height. with the palm side of fist facing upward, eyes looking at the right palm.

Key Point
Perform movements continuously and smoothly, and tum the waist in harmony with all the rest parts of the body.

Form 33: Zhuan Shen Da Lu (Turn Body with Full Roll-back)

This form is so named because it is performed by tuming the body nearly 360 degrees with full roll-back of two palms. What to wear when practicing tai chi boxing, kung fu clothing is the smart choice, especially tai chi clothing.

Key Point
Stand with feet together, turn the body and roll hands back softly and smoothly; roll hands back around the waist, and when two palms change from roll-back to elbowing, keep the shoulders and crotch relaxed and down, and two armpits empty.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Stand with two feet parallel (the weight is held more on the left leg); turn the body to left around the upper part of the right foot, with the heel outward swinging; step back with the left foot to a left side bow stance.
Upper limbs: While standing with two feet parallel, curve the left arm and lift it to the front of the chest with the palm facing outward, and turn the right arm outward and lift it to the right side of the body with the palm facing upward; as the body is turned to left, horizontally roll back two palms to left; as the weight is transferred leftward to form a side bow stance, turn the left arm outward, taking the palm-changed flst to the left waist with the palm side of fist facing upward, bend the right arm, turn it outward and roll it back to the front of the body with the palm side of fist facing obliquely upward; keep the upper part of the body naturally straight and centered, eyes looking at the right fist.

Form 32: Ma Bu Kao (Lean in Horse Stance)

This form is so named because it is performed with the left arm and body thrust supported by a half horse stance. Tai chi is traditional chinese martial arts, there are also kung fu clothing specially designed for it.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Step left forward with the left foot; transfer weight leftward to form a half horse stance. Upper limbs: Turn the left arm inward before the right abdomen, with the hand closed, and thrust the fist to the left side of the body until it stops before the left knee, with the palm side of fist facing inward and the fist surface facing downward; move the right palm from the right side of the body via the ear side to help the left arm thrust forward, with the palm facing left and fingers clinging to the inside of the left forearm; turn the upper part of the body slightly to left and keep it straight and centered, eyes looking left forward.

Key Point
Step forward with the left foot, with the heel landing first, and transfer weight forward to form into a half horse stance in which two feet stand at an angle below 90 degrees, the crotch is kept round and the right knee buckles inward.

Form 31: Du Li Tuo Zhang (Lifting Palm and Standing on One Leg)

This form is so named because it is performed by standing on one leg and lifting one palm up before the body.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Stand steady with the left leg bent slightly and bend the right leg and lift it up with tiptoes dropping down naturally.
Upper limbs: Turn the right palm upward, and hojd it up before the body, with the palm facing upward and the wrist level with the chest; circle the left palm leftward and upward until the body side, with the wrist reaching the shoulder height, the palm facing outward with fingertips obliquely upward, eyes looking at the right palm.

Key Point
See Jin Ji Du Li for movements of the lower limbs. Hold the right palm up and thrust the left palm outward forcibly in the opposite direction.

Form 30: Xu Bu Ya Zhang (Press Palm in Empty Stance)

This form is so named because it is top-down palm pressing in coordination with the empty stance.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Move into a right empty stance.
Upper limbs: Press the left hand top down over the right knee, with fingertips pointing to right; circle the right hand over the knee until reaching the right crotch side with fingers pointing forward, eyes looking down forward .

Key Point
Stand in the empty stance to an extent that there is no need to hold breath. Keep the waist relaxed and the crotch down. Move the tiptoe of the left foot outward at some 45 degrees, aligned to the knee. Don't lean the upper part of the body forward as the center of gravity is lowered.

Form 29: Tui Bu Chuan Zhang (Step Backward & Thrust the Palm)

This form is so named because it consists of the upper and lower movements of stepping backward and thrusting the palm.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Step backward with the right leg, bend the left leg to a left bow stance.
Upper limbs: Thread the left palm from the right forearm, with the palm facing upward and the wrist reaching the shoulder height; push the right palm beneath the left elbow.

Key Point
Step backward, thread the left arm forward, turn downward the right arm and push the palms at the same time. Keep the head uplifted and the crotch relaxed and down.

Form 28: Jin Ji Du Li (Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg-Left Side & Right Side)

This form is so named as it is performed with one leg standing and the other lifted, one hand raised up and the other dropped, appearing like a rooster standing on one leg.

Key Point 
Keep the head uplifted and the shoulders sunk when standing on one leg. Move hands up and down at the same time and in harmony with leg lifting.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Stand on one leg, with the other  leg lifted with tiptoe dropping naturally.
Upper limbs: As the knee is bent and the leg  lifted up, swing the palm at the same side to the front of the body, with fingertips reaching the eyebrow height, and push the other palm 'down to the crotch side, eyes looking forward at the palm swung up.

Form 27 (Dan Bian) Xia Shi(Lowering Movement-Single Whip)

The form is so named because the lowering movement of the body is like a hovering eagle drops suddenly to rush  at a rabbit. Names for Xia Shi (lowering  movement) vary in different routines  when it is supported by different hand  techniques. The 42 Forms include two Xia Shi postures, Dan Bian Xia Shi (Single Whip and Lowering Movement) and Chuan Zhang Xia Shi (Thread Palm and Lowering Movement). Dan Bian Xia Shi consists of two connected movements, namely Xia Shi and Dan Bian (Single Whip).

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Curve the left leg to a full squat, and straighten the right leg to a right Pu Bu (crouch stance). Pu Bu is one of the basic stances in Chinese martiat arts, formed by parting two legs left and right 4 t0 5 times the length of foot, with one leg bent to a full squat while the knee and tiptoes pointing outward, and the other leg straightened close to the ground, both feet landing on the ground completely. When the left leg is straightened, it is called Zuo Pu Bu (left crouch stance), and when the right leg is straightened, it is called You Pu Bu (right crouch stance).
Upper limbs: Raise the left hand in a hook shape to the left shoulder height; swing the right hand over the face to the inside of the left elbow, and thread it forward before the abdomen along the inside of the right leg, eyes looking at the right palm.

Key Point
Keep the body straight and centered, with the bent leg landing on the ground compietely without lifting the heel.The leg for lowering movement should be straightened.

Form 26: Xie Fei Shi (Oblique Flying)

The posture is so named because of its unfolding movements, with arms opening and closing like Kunpeng (a legendary huge bird) obliquely flying in the sky with its wings spread.

Key Point
This posture shows the movements of threading and thrusting. It should be performed in an unfolding manner.

Detailed Explanation
This posture is typical of the Wu-style Tai Chi Boxing.
Lower limbs: Step forward with the left foot, transfer weight leftward, and turn right the body to form into a left bow stance.
Upper limbs: As the left foot is moved forward, circle the left hand right downward until the outside of the right knee with the palm facing right; turn the right hand inward and withdraw it to the front of the left shoulder with the palm facing outward; while transferring weight leftward, cross two arms before the chest, with the right hand downward and the left one upward; lift the left hand to the front of the left shoulder, and drop the right hand from the inside of the right forearm to the right crotch side; as the body turns right to form into a left bow stance, push two arms left upward and right downward, eyes looking at the right side.

Form 25: Jin Bu Zai Chui (Step Forward & Punch Downward)

Twist step forward, shoot the fist out from top down like planting in a deep pit.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Drop the right foot forward with tiptoe spread outward, and transfer weight onto the right leg; step forward with the left leg, landing with the heel; transfer weight forward to form into a left bow stance.
Upper limbs: As the right foot drops, turn the upper part of the body right, turn two arms outward, circling the left palm upward and rightward white turning the right palm down to the waist; as the left foot advances, circle the right palm rightward and upward, curve the elbow and close the hand and rest it on the right ear side with palm side of fist facing downward, and circle the left fist downward to the abdomen; as weight is transferred forward to form into a left bow stance, shoot the right fist down forward until the abdomen height, with the fist surface facing down forward and the eye of fist facing left, and swing the left fist over the left knee until the left crotch side, eyes looking at the right fist.

Key Point
Circle two arms as the waist turns to left and right. Punch downward in harmony with the bow stance, with the waist upright, buttocks down and the trailing leg bent stightly.

Form 24: (Zhuan Shen) Pai. Jiao(Furn Body & Slap Foot)

A leg technique in Tai Chi Boxing,  named according to the character of   movement compjeted. Stand with one leg, kick forward or to the side with another leg, and flap the instep with the hand. Depending on what movement to connect, there are different foot slap postures, such as Zhuan Shen Pai Jiao (Turn Body and Slap Foot), Shi Zi Pai Jiao (Cross Hands and Slap Foot), Pai Jiao Fu Hu (Slap Foot and Tame the Tiger), and Zuo Pai Jiao (Slap Foot-Left Side).

Key Point
When slapping the foot, keep the center of gravity steady, and spread two arms. Swing the leg up quickjy and slap liquidiy at a height depending on the flexibility of the leg, with the upper part of the body kept straight and centered. Middle-aged and old people may slap the calf instead of foot.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Buckle the left foot inward to the outside of the right foot, and turn backward the body with the upper part of the right foot as pivot; bend the left leg slightly, and lift the right leg slightly bent; the right foot kicks up forward with flat instep.
Upper limbs: Circle two palms downward from both sides to the front of the abdomen; cross two palms upward before the chest (with the right palm outward, two palms facing inward); turn two arms inward and spread them left and right; raise the left palm left backward, with the palm facing outward and the wrist level with the shoulder; slap the right foot in front of the body with the right palm, eyes looking right forward.

Form 23: Zuo Fen Jiao(Kicking with Toes Forward-Left Side)

See You Fen Jiao for detail.

Key Point
See You Fen.liao for detail.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Stand with the Jeft leg bent slightly; with the left instep unfolding, toes slowly kick up forward to above the waist.
Upper limbs: Circle two palms downward and inward from two sides, cross them before the abdomen, turn them inward and rest them before the chest. When kicking with the right foot, part arms fefc forward and right respectively, with patms facing outward, fingers facing upward, the wrists level with the shoulders, elbow joints bent slightly and the right arm aligned with the right leg, eyes looking at the left palm.

Form 22: Shuang Feng Guan Er(Punching Ears with Both Fists)

The form is so named because when punching the opponent' s ears with both fists the movement is as fast as the wind blowing. An alternative story about the name is that when punching the two fists appear to be mountain peaks.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Drop the right foot obliqueiy right forward, and transfer weight forward to form into a right bow stance.
Upper limbs: Drop two palms down to the waist side; change palms to fists and punch from both sides forward and upward to the height of ears, with frsts a head width apart, the eye of fist obliquely facing downward, two arms curved into a clamp shape, and eyes looking forward.



Key Point
Keep the head uplifted, neck muscles relaxed, shoulders and eibows down, the waist and crotch hands ctosed loos eIy:form into fhe bow stance in  harmony with the punch by fists,reIeasing power to the eye of fist.

Form 21: You Fen Jiao(Kicking with Toes Forward---Right Side)

It is a foot technique so named because when kicking the instep is tensioned and toes perk. There is also Zuo Fen ]iao (Kicking with Toes Forward---Left Side).

Detailed Explanation
You Fen Jiao have the same movement with Zuo Fen Jiao, simply in the opposite direction. Take the left side as an example below.
Lower limbs: Stand with the right leg bent slightly. curve the left leg and lift it to the waist height; with the left instep unfolding, toes slowly kicked up forward to above the waist.
Upper limbs: Circle two palms downward and inward from two sides, cross them before the abdomen, turn them inward and rest them before the chest. When kicking with the left foot, part arms left forward and right respectively, with palms facing outward, fingers facing upward, the wrists leveJ with the shoulders, elbow joints bent slightly and the left arm aligned with the left leg, eyes looking at the left palm.



Key Point
Lifting leg and circling hands from bottom to top shafl be in harmony; parting feet and hands to both sides shall be in harmony.

Form 20: (Du li) Da Hu (Step Backward and Stand on One leg to Hit the Tiger)

This form is typical of the Wu-style Tai Chi Boxing. It is so named because two fists are uplifted as done to hit a tiger. When performed with one leg standing, the posture is termed Du Li Da Hu, a Wu-style movement.

Detaited Explanation Lower limbs: Stand firm with the left leg bent slightty, curve and lift the right leg; take the right foot to the front of the crotch, with tiptoes perking and buckled inward. Upper limbs: Slowly close hands, raise the left frst from the body side, and move the right fist to the left chest; lift the left fist left forward before the forehead with the palm side of fist facing outward and the eye of fist obliquely downward, and move the right fist before the left chest with palm side of fist facing inward and the eye of fist facing upward. Key Point Take a step back, transfer weight rightward steadily, and turn the waist to circle the arm and roll back; bend and part two arms in harmony with the left leg curving and uplifting and the tiptoes hooking up.

Form 19: Yun Shou (Wave Hands like Clouds)

As the name implies, two arms turn around and circle up and down, left and right as the waist turns, like both clouds winding around and flying into the sky.

Detailed Explanation
Take the left side as an example.
Lower limbs: Move the left foot leftward with tiptoes landing first: transfer weight leftward, take the right foot back to the inside of the left foot, and bend knees to a half squat.
Upper limbs: Circle both palms leftward, with the left one across the face and the right one across the abdomen,  both of them facing inward ; while transferring weight leftward and taking the right foot back to near the left one, turn two palms gradually at the left of the body, with the left one facing outward, the right one towards the inside of the left elbow, facing inward , eyes looking at the left palm.



Key Point
Keep the head uplifted, the waist upright, the shoulders sunk, the elbows down, the waist relaxed and buttocks down, with feet standing distinctively emptily and firmly; circle arms and palms with waist as pivot and the upper and lower parts of the body moving in harmony.

Form 18: Ye Ma Fen Zong (Wild Horse Parts His Mane-Left and Right Sides)

A posture specific to the Chen-style Tai Chi Boxing. It is said that wild horses defend against their enemies by parting their mane. As the name implies, the posture refers to the movement of two arms parting to left and right, just like a wild horse' s mane split when the horse is running.

Detailed Explanation
It is typical of the Chen-style Tai Chi Boxing. Take the right posture as an example.
Lower limbs: Curve the right knee and lift the right leg up; after the right heel falls onto the ground, step forward with the right foot not off the ground, and transfer weight forward to form into a right bow stance.
Upper limbs: As the right leg lifts forward, rest the right palm down from the side onto the right knee with the palm facing upward, and swing the left palm to the left side of the body; as weight is transferred forward to form into a bow stance, thread the right palm forward with the palm facing upward, fingertips forward and the wrist level with the shoulder. and move the left palm to the left of the body with the palm facing outward , flngertips obliquely upward and the wrist level with the shoulder.

Key Point
Keep the upper part of the body straight and centered, part two arms with the waist as pivot; at a speed in harmony with crotch movement and the transferring of weight.

Form 17: Yan Shou Gong Chui (Cover Hands and-Strike with Arm)

This form is named after the feature of power release. It refers to the movement of punching with two hands covered to conceal the fist throwing point. Yan means  "close, cover" ; Gong refers to the part of the arm between the elbow and the shoulder; Chui means  "fist."

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Step leftward with the left heel not off the ground; transfer weight to between two legs and bend two knees to a half squat; transfer weight slightly rightward and then leftward to form into a left bow stance.
Upper limbs: Bend the knees to a half squat as the left foot moves leftward, turn two palms inward before the face and move them downward until they cross (with the left palm over the right one) at the right side of the lower abdomen, and part them to both sides, with the palms turning outward and level with the shoulder; as weight is transferred rightward, turn two arms outward with elbows moving inward, position the left palm to the front of the body with the palm facing upward and level with the shoulder, turn the right palm into a fist, and curve arms and cross them before the chest, with the palm side of fist facing upward, eyes looking at the left palm; as the lower limbs move into a left bow stance, turn left the upper part of the body, turn the right fist and shoot it out forward with the thumb side of fist facing downward , and withdraw the left palm to the left abdomen, eyes looking at the right fist.

Key Point
The movements should show the natural and reverse reeling in Tai Chi Boxing, with both sides of the waist constantly changing in emptiness and solidness. Move the waist and back like a tensioned bow; and shoot the fist out like shooting an arrow.

Form 16: Zuo You Deng Jiao (Heel Kicks-Left and Right)

This form is named after a leg technique in Tai Chi Boxing of chinese martial arts. To perform this form, one leg supports the body, the other curves and then kick with tiptoes hooked, releasing force from the heel. Kicking with the left or right foot is named "Zuo Deng Jiao" (Left Heel Kick) or  "You Deng Jiao" (Right Heel Kick), and the continuous movement of kicking with the left and right feet altemately is termed  "Zuo You Deng Jiao"  (Heel Kicks-Left and Right).

Key point
Bend the supporting leg slightly and keep the waist and crotch sunk and relaxed. Circle and cross two palms in harmony with knee bending and leg lifting, with the upper part of the body upright. Part two palms in harmony with heel kick, releasing force from the heel.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Transfer weight leftward, step on the ground with the left foot slowly, and take the right foot back to the inside of the left foot; curve the left leg slightly, lift the right leg with the knee bent and kick right forward slowly, with tiptoes hooked up.
Upper limbs: As weight is transferred onto the left leg, take back and lift the right leg, thread the right palm over the left forearm and circle it upward and rightward and then downward, leftward and upward, circle the left palm downward and leftward, across the left waist, and then leftward, upward and rightward, cross two palms in front of the chest (with the right one outward), with wrists reaching the shoulder height; while kicking with the right leg, part two palms to both sides in an arched way, with the palms facing outward, the wrists leveled to the shoulders, the elbows bent slightly, the right arm aligned to the right leg, and eyes looking at the right palm. Left Heel Kick has the same movements as Right Heel Kick, simply in the opposite direction.

Form 15: Yu Nu Chuan Suo (Fair Lady Works at the Shuttle-Right & Left Sides)

Yu Nu Chuan Suo is named after the continuous and repeated movement towards four or two oblique corners, appearing like a young girl working gracefully at a shuttle.

Detailed Explanation
This movement is typicai of the Yang-style Tai Chi Boxing. Take right side as an example.
Lower limbs; Step right forward with the right foot, follow a step with the left foot, and move the right foot forward to form into a right bow stance.
Upper limbs: While stepping forward with the right foot, lift the left palm with fingers clinging to the inside of the right wrist to the front of the chest via the abdomen; as the left foot follows a step, turn the waist to right, circle two palms from left to the front flatly (with the righ,t palm facing upward), and then transfer weight onto the left foot; turn the waist to left, curve the right arm and turn it inward, circle the right palm rightward and backward flatly to above the right shoulder, and at the same time take the left paim back to the left waist side; as the right foot once again moves forward to form into a right bow stance, turn the waist to right, turn inward and put up the right arm until the right palm reaches the upper front of the right forehead; push the left palm forward from the waist, with the palm facing forward and fingertips pointing at the nose tip, eyes iooking at the left palm. This form has the same movements for left side and right side, simply in the opposite direction.

Key Point
Move flexibly and make sure that footwork is distinctively empty and solid. The turn of waist
should be in harmony with arm movements and footwork.

Form 14: Zhuan Shen Tui Zhang (Turn Body and Push Palm on Right & Left Sides)

Zhuan Shen Tui Zhang is named after its form of movement－――turning the body and then pushing the palm.

Detailed Explanation
Take Left Side as an example.
Lower limbs: Buckle the left foot and turn the body right backward around the left heel and right sole; step forward with the right foot, and move the left foot in the same direction to form a left "T" shaped stance.
Upper limbs: As the body is turned, drop the right palm to the front of the abdomen via the right chest, and furt the left palm to the left ear side from obliquely behind the left shoulder; as the right foot is moved forward, have the left foot follow it to form into a "T" shaped stance, and sweep the right palm over the right knee till the right crotch side, with the palm facing downward and fingertips facing upward; push the left paim forward, with the palm facing forward and fingertips pointing at the nose tip.

Key Point
When turning the body, keep the neck muscles, waist and crotch reiaxed and make sure that two feet are in distinctive empty and solid stances; when stepping forward, keep the center of gravity steady and the crotch sunk; move the trailing foot flexibly in harmony with the movement of pushing palm; when holding postures, bend the knee and keep buttocks down, with the knee of the supporting leg pointing at tiptoes. The distance between two feet is about 10 cm.

Form 13: Zhou Di (Kan) Chui (Fist under Elbow)

Elusive and disguised, this form uses the fist to guard beneath the elbow, poised to defend against the opponent and protect oneself. It implies watch, defense and readiness to move.

Key Point
Make sure that the whole body is in harmony up and down. With the head uplifted and the waist upright, use the waist to drive two arms, eyes following the leading hand. When holding postures, keep the head uplifted, the neck upright, the back broadened and the armpits empty.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Take a crescent step left forward with the left foot, move the right foot a hatf step in the same direction, and transfer weight onto the right foot with the knee slightly curved; step forward with the left foot, with the left heel landing on the ground, and raise tiptoes to form into a left empty stance.
Upper limbs: As the left foot is moved forward, move the left palm upward and leftward in front of the body from before the abdomen, through beneath the right forearm, until the head height, and circle the right palm from before the right chest to the left chest down to the right side of the crotch; as the right foot foliows the left one, continue to circle the left palm leftward and downward to the left side of the body, and circle the right palm right and forward to the front of the body (with the palm obliquely facing upward); when the left foot moves forward into a left empty stance, turn the left palm to an inclined standing palm and strike it out forward over the right wrist, with fingertips reaching the eyebrow height, turn the right palm into a ftst before the body and take it back to beneath the left elbow, with the eye of fist facing upward; keep the upper part of the body upright, with the chest facing forward in a slightly oblique way, eyes looking at the left palm.

Form 12: ( You) Dan Bian (Single Whip -Right Side)

See (Zuo) Dan Bian for detail.

Key Point
See (Zuo) Dan Bian for detail.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Take a right step with the right foot and transfer weight onto the right leg to form an L-shaped stance.
Upper limbs: Turn two arms inward , slowly part them to left and right respectively, and curve two arms slightly, with two palms outward in a standing way straight before the eyes, eyes looking at the left hand.

Form 11: Kai He Shou (Open and Close Hands)

Specific to the Sun-style Tai Chi Boxing(traditional chinese kung fu), Kai He Shou is named after the opening and closing movements of hands.

Detailed Explanation
The opening and closing movements of hands in the 42 Forms are typical of the Sun-style Tai Chi Boxing.
Lower limbs: Stand with the feet parallel, one empty and the other firm (knees bent slightly); hold weight onto the left leg, and lift the right heel.
Upper timbs: Sink the elbows with two palms opposite to each other, open hands left and right  before the chest until a shoulder width, with weight slightly transferred onto the right leg, eyes looking forward; as weight is transferred to left, close  hands inward until a face width, eyes looking at the middle between two palms.

Key Points
When opening and closing hands, there should be a sense of reeling between two palms; the change in empty and solid stances between two feet should be in harmony with the opening and closing  movements of hands; in the empty stance, the heel should be slightly off the ground.

Form 10: Ru Feng Si Bi (Apparent Close Up)

Cross two arms to form an oblique  ‘‘十’’shape, resembling a seal. The movement of withdrawing one hand while horizontally prodding the other hand is called  "Feng" (seal), while the movement of bending two elbows and pushing hands out is called "Ge"  (parry, block). It seems to close a two-leaf door when two hands are tumed and pushed forward. In Tai Chi Boxing, the action of the two types of movement is termed  "Feng Ge Ji Bi Fa"   (the method of arm sealing and parrying).

Key Point
Keep the head uplifted, the shoulders sunk, elbows down, and the waist relaxed, and ensure that the hand movements of Feng, Ge, Bi (close) and Tui  (push) are in harmony with the movement of the lower limbs' weight.



Detailed Explanation
The 42 Forms have some features shared with the Yang-style and Sun-style Tai Chi Boxing.
Lower limbs: Transfer weight backward to form into a left seating stance from the left bow stance, with left tiptoes hooked upward; transfer weight forward, take the right foot back to behind the left foot to form a right T-shaped stance, with tiptoes landing on the ground.
Upper limbs: Thread the left palm from beneath the right forearm, palm upward; turn the right fist into palm facing upward; as weight is transferred backward to form into a seating stance, part two palms, curve arms and turn them inward, and draw them back to the chest at a shoulder width, with the palms obliquely opposite to each other. Turn two palms downward to the front of the abdomen, and as the right foot follows, push two palms forward at a shoulder width, wrists level with the shoulders and eyes looking at two palms.

Form 9: (Jin Bu) Ban Lan Chui(Advance, Parry and Punch)

As the name implies, Ban Lan Chui, where Ban means "move" and Lan  "block" , means that in defense and attack terms, the palm is used to move the incoming fist left or right so as to block the opponent' s attack, and the fist is used to attack the opponent's ribs or chest.

Key Point
Use the waist to drive two arms for defense and attack. When parrying, keep the heat uplifted, the shoulders sunk, the waist upright and the crotch down, strike out backfist with the elbow joint as pivot, while transfer weight forward.



Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: When performing the Ban movement, step the right foot forward to form into a right empty stance, with the right heel landing on the ground and tiptoes hooked; when performing the Lan movement, step the left foot forward to form into a left empty stance, with the left heel landing on the ground and tiptoes hooked; when performing the Chui(punch) movement-rtransfar-weight forward to form into a left bow stance.
Upper limbs: When performing the Ban movement, turn the right fist with the elbow as pivot and move it forward along the inside of the left arm, with the palm side of the fist upward above the chest height; push the left palm to the left crotch side, eyes looking at the right fist: then as the body turns right, take a left step, turn the left forearm outward, circle the left fist from left to the front till the front of the body with eyes looking at the left fist, and take the right fist back to the right side of the waist, with the palm side of the fist upward; form into a bow stance, and throw a punch forward with the right fist. Turn the eye of fist upward to the chest height, and take the left palm back to the inside of the right forearm, eyes looking at the right fist.

Form 8: Lu JiShi (RoIl Back 8:Press forward-Right and Left Sides)

This posture is named after the two hand techniques---Lu (Roll Back) and Ji (Press). A very important form of tai chi chinese martial arts.

Key Point
Horizontally smear the palm as the foot is buckled and the weight transferred forward to form into the bow stance; take the rear foot back when rolling back two palms; press two arms forward as the bow stance is formed. Roll back gently, and when rolling back downward, keep the head uplifted, the shoulders sunk, the elbows down, and the upper part of the body straight and centered; push forward horizontally as the bow stance is formed. When rolling back and pressing, ensure that the leg be distinctively empty or firm and the center of gravity be kept steady.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Buckle the left foot and transfer weight forward to form into a left bow stance. Upper limbs: Thread the right palm over the left forearm and circle horizontally from left to right forward with the palm obliquely downward, and turn the left palm outward to beneath the inside of the right elbow, with the palm obliquely upward ; roll back two palms downward from the front, with the left palm down to the outside of the left crotch and the right palm to the front of the abdomen, and at the same time take the right foot back to the inside of the left right; as the right foot is moved right forward to form into a right bow stance, turn two forearms (the left forearm turned inward and the right one outward), curve the arms and lift them up (the palms opposite to each other), and press them forward via the chest, with arms arched, the fingers of the left palm clinging to the right wrist with the palm outward and fingertips obliquely upward, the right palm inward with fingertips pointing to left, at the height of the shoulder. Keep the upper part of the body straight and centered, eyes looking at the right wrist. This form has the same movements for left and right sides, which are simply in the opposite direction.

Form 7: Pie Shen Chui (Parry & Turn to Punch)

Pie Shen is also known as  "Shan Shen" ,both translated as "parry" . As the name implies, Pie Shen Chui (Parry & Tum to Punch) of tai chi boxing refers to the slightly horizontal attack on the opponent with the fist by taking advantage of the centrifugal force produced by the arched movement of the fist, using the waist as pivot.

Detailed Explanation
Lower Limbs: Step the left foot obliquely left forward to form into a left bow stance.
Upper limbs: Parry and punch with the left fist after it turns before the abdomen, with the palm side of fist obliquely upward and at the height of the head, and position the right hand to the inside of the left forearm, eyes looking at the left fist.

Key Point
When parrying and punching, use the waist to drive the arm, turn and press down the forearm with the shoulder joint as pivot, in order to increase the strength of the fist.

Form 6: Lou Xi Ao Bu (Brush Knee & Twist Step)

"Ao Bu"  (Twist Step), a martial art term, means pushing the right or left palm when the left or right leg is ahead so that hand and leg twists left and right. "Lou Xi"  (Brush Knee), a method used to attack the opponent' s lower part of the body, refers to the movement of hand brushing or pressing down the knee. The two postures are used in a combined way.

Detailed Explanation
Lou Xi Ao Bu-Left Side.
Lower limbs: Step forward with the left foot, with the heel falling to the ground; transfer weight forward to form into a left bow stance.
Upper limbs: Bend the right elbow, and take the right hand back beside the ear with the palm obliquely forward; drop the left hand down along right ribs to the front of the abdomen, eyes looking forward. Push the right hand forward with standing palm, with fingertips level with the nose; brush the right hand over the knee to the right crotch, eyes looking at the right palm.

Key Point
Step forward and transfer weight forward to form into a bow stance. Keep the waist relaxed, the crotch down and the upper part of the body centered, and turn the waist in line with the movement of upper limbs. When pushing the palm, use the inclined palm first with fingertips forward, rest the wrist and then change to the standing palm.

Form 5: Bai He Liang Chi (White Crane Spreads Its Wings)

Keep the upper part of the body straight and centered, and spread the arms symmetrically left and right, up and down, like a white crane spreading its wings, after which the posture is named. The posture alternatively means spreading one arm and showing two arms as they rise, fall and turn.

Detailed Explanation
Lower limbs: Transfer weight onto the right leg, and take the left foot back to form into a left empty stance.
Upper limbs: Beginning with two hands poised to hold a ball, arch the right hand over the right forehead as the body turns right, and then place the left hand to the inside of the right forearm; as the body turns left place the right hand before the right forehead, palm inward, and arch the left hand via the front of the body down to the side of the left crotch, eyes looking forward.

Key Point
With the head uplifted, the waist relaxed and the crotch down, unfold hands obliquely upward and downward, or straight upward or downward as the waist turns left and right emptily or solidly, which is done in line with footwork.
This is the 5 form of tai chi kung fu, tai chi is a traditional chinese martial arts, if you also like this, read the later articles.

Form 4: TiShou (Lifting I-lands)

In Tai Chi Boxing(proper tai chi uniforms are necessary), the force used to lift a thing up is canned  "ti"  (lift). This posture gives special prominence to the movement of upper limbs, lifting the arm as done to lift a heavy thing, after which Ti Shou is named.

Detailed Explanation
Lift one hand up, with the other hand used for assistance and defense.
Lower limbs: Transfer weight onto the left leg, with the right heel falling to the ground, tiptoe raised, and form into a right empty stance.
Upper limbs: Change the right hooking hand to palm, horizontally move the arms slightly to left, bend the left elbow, make the right palm inclined and standing and lift it in front of the body, pointing to the inside of the right elbow, eyes looking at the right palm.

Key Point
Uplift the head, sink the shoulders, relax the waist, and keep the crotch down, with the arms and the body looking stretched.

Form 3: (Zuo) Dan Bian (Single Whip-Left Side)

This form compares the movements of waist straightening, neck uplifting and body turning to the handle of a whip and the movement of spreading arms for attack to the whip. As the name implies, the movements are like riding a horse and raising the whip.

Detailed Explanation
The 42 Forms have two s'ngle_w,hips, namely Zuo Dan Bian (Left Single Whip) typical of the  Yang-style Tai Chi Boxing, and You Dan Bian  (Right Single Whip) typical of the Sun-style Tai  Chi Boxing. To perform Zuo Dan Bian, one hand suspends and forms a hook shape and the other  whisks or shoots out before the chest.
Lower limbs: Take a step left forward with the left foot, landing with the heel; transfer weight forward to form into a bow stance.
Upper limbs: Change the right palm, into a hooking hand at the same height to the shoulder; circle the left palm left forward, and turn the left palm and push it out forward, with the palm forward, the wrist leveted to the shoulder, the tip of the forefinger pointing to the nose tip, and eyes looking at the left palm.

Key Point
Uplift the head, sink the shoulders, relax the waist,keep the crotch relaxed and down, and extend arms left and right with the waist as pivot. Move force from the feet, through the back, to fingertips.

Form l: Qi Shi (Beginning Position)

Qi Shi of tai chi (chinese martial arts) refers to the first movement performed when any part of the body starts to move from stillness. It generally begins with one feet moving or taking a step, the knees and crotch bent, the weight held on the lower part of the body, and both hands first rising then falling.

Detail Explanation
Lower limbs: Take a left step shoulder-width apart with the left foot; fall to the ground gradually from the toes to the full sole of foot, with the toes pointing forward and the weight transferred to between the legs; bend the knees and hold weight on the lower part of the body.
Upper limbs: After the foot falls to the ground, raise the arms forward and upward, palms downward, elbows slightly bent shoulder-width apart, until they reach shoulder height; sink the shoulders and elbows, and roll back and push both hands down to the front of the abdomen, with the palms opposite to the knees.

Key Point
Take the step and transfer weight even and slowly,with the foot rising and falling lightly; focus the mind on the wrists when raising the arms, with fingers dropping naturally; as the arms drop, rest the wrists and spread fingers, rolling back and pushing down.

Yu Bei Shi(Preparatory Position)

Yu Bei Shi of tai chi(kung fu martial arts) refers to the preparation made consciously and in posture before exercising.

Detailed Explanation
Stand straight with the feet together, the arms dropped naturally and the palms inward, looking straight forward.

Key Point
Body requirement: Keep the body straight and centered, keep calm and relaxed, keep the shoulders and elbows down, sink the chest and raise the back, and bend the knees slightiy. internal requirement:Keep lips and teeth closed, breathe naturally, and focus the mind on Dantian.