Posture height characteristic of training in tai chi

When a person performs tai chi chuan forms, most postures should meet the following:

1. the entire body moves in an integrated, coordinated way;
2. the whole body keeps in a stable, smooth, and upright way; no obvious ups and downs pusposely; Keep the balance between top and down;
3. the whole body may have slightly ups and downs. The changes are so small that it is not easy to notice for other viewers;
4. try to send the DanTian Qi (from the core of the body) down;
5. relax the waist; sink Qi;
6. the whole body weight sinks to the bottom of the both feet through the bones of supporting legs;

To have a look of a few tai chi pictures, visit my blog at:

http://tai-chi-for-health.blogspot.com/

http://tai-chi-sword.blogspot.com/

My 24 simplified tai chi form book is just listed in Amazon.com under the author name: Cheng Zhao
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976118319/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-5689733-0606456?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

Many people think Yang style tai ji is always slow. You may click the following link to view the fast yang style tai chi long forms in about 4 minutes. This long form in a normal pace takes about 30 minutes. Click the following address to view Master Li Guang Qi's Tai Chi Fast forms:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=494009639744200269

Tai Chi Form - Demo Posture

The above pictures demonstrated how to perform "Wild Horse Splits its Mane".

The teaching and learning DVDs of Tai Chi Hand and Sword forms are available upon request from me:
Cheng Zhao, Ph.D
Terre Haute, IN
Email: taichi.cheng@gmail.com
To have a look of a few tai chi pictures, visit my blog at:
http://tai-chi-sword.blogspot.com/
http://tai-chi-for-health.blogspot.com/

My 24 simplified tai chi form book is just listed in Amazon.com under the author name: Cheng Zhao

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976118319/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-5689733-0606456?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

How to practice tai chi chuan/sword forms

To tell the quality of a person’s tai chi forms, we need to examine the following:
(1) The angles of the body when performing each posture and the transitions between each movement; (2) the pace of the movements; (3) the height of each posture. A person is considered a good practitioner when he/she can carry out every movement gracefully, with coordination and precision. A good tai chi practitioner keeps the almost same height during the execution of the form. He/she does not bob up and down. The ending form finishes in the place the opening form began. The form is practiced in a constant and regular pace. The movements of the limbs should be coordinated with the waist. All postures should be erect, coordinated, continuous, flowing, and balanced throughout the forms. The whole body should be relaxed. Each posture demostrated eight balances: 1. Top and Down balance; 2. Front and Back blance; (3) Left and Right balance; 4. Inside and Outside balance. These eight balances or harmonies come from Taoism, the foundation of Tai Chi.

The teaching and learning DVDs of Tai Chi Hand and Sword forms are available upon request from me:
Cheng Zhao, Ph.D
Terre Haute, IN
Email: taichi.cheng@gmail.com

To have a look of a few tai chi pictures, visit my blog at:
http://tai-chi-sword.blogspot.com/
http://tai-chi-for-health.blogspot.com/

My 24 simplified tai chi form book is just listed in Amazon.com under the author name: Cheng Zhao

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976118319/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-5689733-0606456?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155

Tai Chi Sword: The 32 Simplified Forms

Tai Chi Sword is a weaponry form of Tai Chi practice, in which the sword is viewed as an extension of body, not a separate part of Tai Chi practice. All Tai Chi weaponry forms preserve the same principles of Tai Chi Chuan (the hand form of Tai Chi). The practice of Tai Chi sword requires a person to follow the sword forms correctly, to balance the sword with body well, and to apply power to the right of point of force. It also requires the person to understand and display as well the meanings of offensive and defensive moves within each form. It is important to show accurately shift of body weight, the empty (insubstantial) and solid (substantial) moves, and the variations of sword forms. The ultimate goal is to move the body and sword in unity with right balance and rhythm.

In 1957, the Chinese Sports Committee developed a simplified version of Tai Chi Sword based primarily on the Yang style. This simplified form is a series of 32 sword forms that can be performed in about three or five minutes. It was designed as an easily learned series of movements that could be used by anyone to improve their health.

The teaching and learning DVDs of Tai Chi Hand and Sword forms are available upon request:

Cheng Zhao, Ph.D
Email: taichi.cheng@gmail.com

My 24 simplified tai chi form book is just listed in Amazon.com under the author name: Cheng Zhao

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976118319/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-5689733-0606456?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155