Jan 10, 2014 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
1. Glide the weight back onto the right foot while arms become horizontal – palms down. 2. Turn your waist to the right while pivoting on the left heel so that toe faces the front wall. At the same time, the arms arc upwards in unison so that the elbows are at...
Jan 10, 2014 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
1. Turn the waist slightly to the left, opening both palms slowly while slowly turning them to face upward. The arm is pushed forward by the waist turn until right elbow is above left wrist. 2. Pour the weight onto the right foot while turning the waist right to the...
Jan 10, 2014 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
Get ready, this is a long one! 1. Begin to shift the weight onto the right leg while lifting the left toe. 2. Turn waist and toe to the left diagonal. At same time, the left palm begins rotating inward while the right arm drifts downward. 3. Push hips forward to the...
Jan 10, 2014 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
This movement is also known as Play “Pipa” 1. Pushing the hips forward, glide weight forward onto left foot allowing right foot to follow through by lifting off the floor and traveling inward, place it back down at one half shoulder width. 2. Turn waist...
Feb 12, 2013 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
Think Taiji Walk! 1. Keeping all weight on the right (get ready for a thigh burn) turn waist slightly left while right hand lowers in front of center line (palm faces chest) and left hand rises similar to roll back. 2. Turn waist right while first arcing, then raising...
Feb 12, 2013 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
In Chinese mythology, the White Crane is a symbol of longevity and patience. It can stand on one leg in complete stillness, waiting almost an eternity for the perfect moment to quickly strike. The fighting abilities of the white crane is said to have inspired the...
Feb 12, 2013 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
This movement is less about the shoulder and more about the upper arm and elbow. Do not lean forward into this movement! Move from the right hip and keep spine upright. 1. While you sit fully on your left leg, the waist turns slightly to the left and the right foot...
Feb 12, 2013 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
This begins a series of movements that will keep weight on a single leg in the final expression of the movements. Get ready to feel those thigh muscles! 1. Leading with the hips (waist), pour weight into the left leg — moving first toward side wall, then the waist...
Jun 7, 2011 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
An excellent posture for chi circulation. It is popular to get into the final expression of this movement and hold for some time to circulate the chi and strengthen the body. 1. Pour most of the weight onto the left leg while backing away from you own hands, thereby...
Jun 7, 2011 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
Grasp Sparrow’s Tail is completed with Push. 1. Pushing off the right foot, shift the weight almost completely onto the left leg. Keep the right knee slightly bent. At same time “wash left hand over right” palms face down. 2. Draw the elbows down and back...
Jun 7, 2011 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
The fourth part of Grasp Sparrow’s Tail is Press. 1. From the end of Roll Back, begin to turn waist to face side wall while also beginning to pour weight into right leg. At same time, begin to send fingers of left hand toward side wall with hand coming closer and...
Jun 7, 2011 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
The third part of Grasp Sparrow’s Tail is Rollback. Here the importance of the waist in Taiji practice is emphasized. 1. Shifting very little extra weight onto the right foot, turn the waist slightly to the right. The right forearm and both hands extend slightly right...
Jun 24, 2010 | Taiji (Tai Chi), Movements of CMC 37, Online Tai Chi, Tai Chi Videos
Just Breathe Tai Chi and Qigong Resources News and Articles Live Online Zoom Class Guide Testimonials Tell Your Tai Chi Story Videos Movements of the Cheng Man Ching 37 Form Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga Books, Videos and Music Related Events Friends of Just...
Jun 9, 2010 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
Originally published June, 2010. Updated December, 2025. Written and taught by Kris Brinker of Just Breathe Tai Chi classes. Kris has been teaching Tai Chi walking and Tai Chi forms for over 20 years. Tai Chi Walking Is Trending for Boosting Mood & Metabolism But...
May 25, 2010 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
Ward Off Right continues Grasp Sparrow’s Tail and begins by 1- Relax the right hip joint and push all weight forward on to the left leg, peeling up the right heel 2-Turn waist right, forming a slanted ball with the hands – left hand on top – pivoting...
May 25, 2010 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
Ward Off Left begins the series know as Grasp Sparrow’s Tail – a collective name for: Ward Off Left, Ward Off Right, Roll Back, Press and Push. Continuing from the end of Beginning, 1-Relax the left hip joint and fully sit into the left leg. 2-Turn waist...
May 11, 2010 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
Taiji is stillness in motion and motion in stillness. The beginning movement demonstrates the separation of yin and yang as stillness is transformed. 1. Arms float upward like bubbles from the bottom of a pond. Wrists are bent and tranquil – fingers being drawn...
Apr 29, 2010 | Movements of CMC 37, Taiji (Tai Chi)
First movement – “Preparation”… Better not to think of “Preparation” as preparing to begin the form, but rather as preparing to let go of everything else. Allow the day to slip away, prepare to pay attention to only yourself, to...
