There are many length Tai Chi forms. 24 postures to more than 100. Even though our form has been called “the short form” it is really of medium length. When you count the repetitions, which you should for accurate comparison, we have 65-70 depending upon how many Repulse Monkeys and Cloud Hands you do. It should be pointed out that Tai Chi originally had only 13 postures so these forms are much longer. Quality matters more than quantity. I learned the “long form” first and, while I go through it every now and then, I think our form is completely adequate. The one advantage that the long form might have is that it is . . . . longer, i.e., it keeps you practicing for a longer period of time. So, do ours twice.
Kim
1 comment:
As someone who started with CMC's short form through Ben Lo folks, i eventually learned the Long form from Fu Zhong Wen in Shanghai in 1990's. I have to say, I agree, in "quality over quantity", however there are many postures CMC left out in particular: Needle at sea bottom, open fan, high pat horse (2), turn elbow and chop with fist, white snake spit tongue, Hit tiger left and right, double punch ears....
I know he did this for a reason to teach beginners quickly, not sure why he did not let his professional students/instructors learn Long form.
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