The Beijing 24-Step Short Form is not an ancient family form but a modern, standardised routine commissioned by the Chinese government in 1956 to promote physical fitness and cultural activities for the masses. A committee led by Li Tianji (李天骥) and other renowned tai chi masters such as Chen Zhaokui (陈照奎) – a representative of Chen style – and Li Jingwu (李经梧) created the form as a simplification of the Yang Style long form (108 movements) retaining its most representative postures, removing repetitions and simplifying the more difficult movements, still retaining the health benefits and core principles of tai chi. It became a huge success and the most widely practiced tai chi form in the world.
The 24 Shi
- 起势 Qǐshì
Commencing / Opening - 左右野马分鬃 Zuǒyòu Yěmǎ Fēnzōng
Part the Wild Horse’s Mane (Left & Right) - 白鹤亮翅 Báihè Liàngchì
White Crane Spreads Its Wings - 左右搂膝拗步 Zuǒyòu Lōuxī Àobù
Brush Knee and Step Forward (Left & Right) - 手挥琵琶 Shǒuhuī Pípá
Playing the Lute / Strum the Pipa - 左右倒卷肱 Zuǒyòu Dào Juǎngōng
Reverse Reeling Forearm / Step Back and Repulse Monkey - 左揽雀尾 Zuǒ Lǎn Quèwěi
Left Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail - 右揽雀尾 Yòu Lǎn Quèwěi
Right Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail - 单鞭 Dān Biān
Single Whip - 云手 Yún Shǒu
Cloud Hands - 单鞭 Dān Biān
Single Whip (repeated) - 高探马 Gāo Tànmǎ
High Pat on Horse - 右蹬脚 Yòu Dēngjiǎo
Kick with Right Heel / Right Kick - 双峰贯耳 Shuāngfēng Guàn’ěr
Strike Both Ears / Twin Peaks Box Ears - 转身左蹬脚 Zhuǎnshēn Zuǒ Dēngjiǎo
Turn and Kick with Left Heel - 左下势独立 Zuǒ Xiàshì Dúlì
Left Lower Body and Stand on One Leg - 右下势独立 Yòu Xiàshì Dúlì
Right Lower Body and Stand on One Leg - 左右穿梭 Zuǒyòu Chuānsuō
Fair Lady Works the Shuttles (Left & Right) - 海底针 Hǎidǐ Zhēn
Needle at Sea Bottom - 闪通臂 Shǎn Tōngbì
Flash the Arm / Fan Through the Back - 转身搬拦捶 Zhuǎnshēn Bān Lán Chuí Turn
Deflect, Parry, and Punch - 如封似闭 Rú Fēng Sì Bì
Apparent Close-Up / As If Sealing Shut - 十字手 Shízì Shǒu
Cross Hands - 收势 Shōushì
Closing / Conclusion
A quick B/K animation showing the most relevant steps of the sequence
