Tai Chi “Forms” or “Routines” (“Taijiquan Taolu”)
The most recognisable aspect of tai chi training is the slow, graceful routines that combine martial movements with qigong, stretching, balancing, proper posture, and the refinement of subtle body mechanics to improve the health and power of mind, body, and spirit.
Practising a tai chi routine provides a complete workout, deep relaxation, a clear mind, inner peace, an leaves you feeling both rested and invigorated.
While traditional routines typically took 1-3 years to learn and 20 60 minutes to perform onece; modern simplified and standardised routines have been created over the past 50 years that can be learnedin a few lessons and performed in 3- 10 minutes.
Each style of tai chi has its own unique routines with unique characteristics. But the fundamental principles governing how the routines are performed is the same for every traditional style.
The types of routines include: solo routines, weapon routines, 2-person routines.
Following is a list of some of the more popular tai chi routines.
Modern Tai Chi Routines
To learn the a traditional tai chi routine would typically take a student between one and three years. While some teachers can get students through the basic choreography in about six months, a proper understanding of the form would take much longer. Mastery of the form is an ongoing process. A teacher would never start teaching solo without at least ten years in a traditional school.
Modern routines have been created since the 1950’s as a means of making tai chi more accessible to the masses. Routines with as few as 8 movements are now taught in courses of only 6 – 10 weeks. Ongoing instruction will certainly deepen the students’ understanding and provide greater benefit. However, for people who can only take 1 or 2 classes per week, a shorter and simpler form may actually provide greater benefits for health and fitness, as the complexities of long routines can interfere with the teaching of the fundamental principles.
5-Section Tai chi Curriculum
The 5-section tai chi is a modern routine created by Sam Masich. It is part of a comprehensive curriculum which includes:
- The basic 5-section tai chi
- 5-section 2-person tai chi
- 5-section tai chi sword
- 5-section 2-person tai chi sword
- 5-section Chen style
Here are two videos. The first is of a simultaneous demonstration of the “5-section Yang”, “5-section Sword” and the “5-section 2-Person” routines. The second is of a two-person 5-section sword routine.
Above: Video demonstration at tai chi Caledonia of simultaneous Yang, Sword, and Two—person routines.
Below: Video demonstration of the 5-section two-person tai chi sword.
International Standard Tai Chi Routines
As wushu competitions grew in popularity there was a growing need for some kind of standardization for judging. One solution was to create standard choreographed routines that would put competitors “on and equal footing”. This standardization was a bit controversial, but many masters saw the potential benefit of uniformity. So, in 1989, a committee* was organized by the Chinese Wushu Research Institute of China in order to create seven standard routines for the various categories of wushu taolu (form) competition. These categories included:
- Long Fist (Changquan)
- Southern Fist (Nan Quan)
- Tai Chi (Taijiquan)
- Broadsword (Dao)
- Spear (Qiang)
- Sword (Jian)
- Cudgel (Gun)
The routines were “certified” by the Chinese Wushu Association and promoted throughout the world. Athletes competing in national and international events were soon required to learn these routines. These competition routines had a big influence and were taught in many schools for the next twenty years. They are still used in tournaments around the world, sometimes with special categories set aside for them. But there are also divisions for competitors who choreograph their own routines. In international competitions, participants can now choreograph their own routines, with points given for required elements.
*This committee included Pang Lintai, Zhao Changjun, Den Changli, Wang Jie, Bai Wenxiang, Liu Yuping, Yuan Wenqing, Huang Jiangang, Zhang Shan, Fu Quanzhi, Zhang Guangde, Pen Ying, Li Wnying, Men Huifeng, Chen Lihong, Ji Yue-e, Li Tainji, and Li Deyin.
42 Posture Combined tai chi (International Standard Routine)
Created specifically as a competition routine, the 42 form combines elements of the Yang, Chen, Wu, and Sun styles of tai chi. The overall “flavour” of the routine is seen as being consistent with Yang Style. In competition, it is meant to be performed in 5 – 6 minutes. Deductions are made to a competitor’s score if the routine goes over or under time.
42 Posture Tai chi Sword
Following the success of the 42 Posture Combined Routine, the 42 sword form combines elements of the Yang, Chen, Wu, and Sun styles of tai chi sword.
Other Competition Routines
With the movement to standardize competition routines, came the creation of routines specifically for