The Tai Chi13 (Taiji Shi San Shi ) form is short.  It consists of 8 postures in 5 main directions plus left and right and:

 

It is quick to learn

Can be practised in a small space

Involves cultivation of inner balance and stability

Forms a solid basis for learning one of the longer forms

Deepens your knowledge of any longer Tai Chi form

Is beautiful

 

In China they use, in this form, the image of a King surrounded by his 8 guards.  He is quiet and stable, alert to possible dangers and ready to direct his protectors.  Master Shen Jin described this state as like being at ‘home’.  Being at home with yourself but ready to respond and change.

 

In this Tai Chi method Stepping (BoFa) is central.  Here the principle of Yin and Yang is applied to the safe and smooth transfer of weight from one foot to another.  This is the essence of being in balance – knowing where we are, knowing where our weight is, knowing where we are going.  Then we can move freely.  It is also helps with balance problems and/or an overactive mind (the two things often being linked!).

 

Within all the 8 postures we seek how to be  centred and stable (Zhongding) by exploring  these 6 Tai Chi qualities:

Full (Xu) and Empty (Shi)

Lifting (Sheng) and Sinking (Jiang)

Open (Kai) and Closed (He)

 

More information to follow on how to create this beautiful form.