Basic forms of tai-chi

Answer 1

Almost all Tai Chi practiced nowadays is either the Yang or Wu style (although a few practice the Chen or Hao).

Tai Chi styles are generally done in two ways- long forms and the short forms. Long forms yield more benefits for the student, but require a longer amount of time to be set aside for them and have a much higher degree of difficulty to learn. While some quality is definitely sacrificed, short forms yield a large degree of benefits and are much easier and simpler to learn.

Of all the Tai Chi short forms, the most basic and well known is the Yang 24 move short form. This article does a fairly good job detailing the subject:

http://www.taichimaster.com/tai-chi/tai-chi-secret-how-to-choose-a-tai-chi-style/

If you want to have access to the best resource on the subject and the different forms of Tai Chi, their difficulty, who teaches them and what they can accomplish I would recommend getting the book Tai Chi Health for Life.

Also, if you want to get technical, the basic components of Tai Chi exist within Qigong, and the best form that exists within Qigong (which while simple contains most of the attributes and benefits one would get from practicing Tai Chi) is known as Cloud Hands. It's actually simple enough to be detailed within an instructional booklet (as opposed to a 5000 page tome for a Tai Chi form), with the book on it being called "Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body."

My own opinion is that the best way to learn Tai Chi is to first extensively master the energy components within the form from a simpler qigong form before beginning the Tai Chi one. If you're open to that, The Energy Gates method is the classic one that's been taught for the past few thousand years in China!

Answer 2

Having recently read Mathew Polly's book "American Shaolin" (copyright 2007), I am convinced that the art is continually growing exponentially daily.

HOWEVER, in the popular cartoon movie "Kung Fu Panda, there are five styles listed: Tiger, Crane, Praying Mantis, Monkey, and Viper.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nice answer above and a good start. Techniques can be broadly used to mean System or Style. It's more direct interpretation is the actual motions and tactics within a system or style.

Shaolin has so many variations there are 72 sub-systems taught at the Hunan Temple. Some say there are 108. Included within are the Animal Styles and Specifics styles. All methods use Punching, kicking, striking with knees, head, elbows, hip, and shoulder. They use Chin-Na (Seize-Control: joint locks, airway attacks, pressure points, etc.) and Throwing and Grappling techniques. Weapons also plays a large part of training.

Animals:

Tiger- uses strength, tenacity, and power with iron like grip to rip, tear, and crimp an opponent weak points.

Crane-uses grace, timing, tendon/ligament strength, and balance to evade, strike, and throw the opponent. the Cranes beak hand and motions resembling the flapping and shaking of wings and the one-legged stances are characteristic of the Crane.

Snake- quickness, precision, whipping, entangling, and finger strikes to sensitive areas are the trademarks of this reptilian mimicry that is also known for low postures requiring strong legs.

Leopard/Panther- The closed paw, rapid close-in fighting, and intricate footwork makes this catlike style quite a fearsome addition to one's Kung Fu arsenal. The extended knuckles are used in the leopard strikes along with arm catches and sweeping kicks.

Dragon- Twisting, Rising, Dropping, a mix of many characteristics make this mystical creature come alive in the motions and tactics of the dragon. the unique dragon claw uses strong grips and two fingered pokes and stabs using reinforced single finger also. It is a well respected fighting animal system.

Praying Mantis- The Mantis Hook Claw. Reverse Hook, angular punches, low kicks, arm locks, leg sweeps, body throws, and strong stances make it a formidable system. the mimicry of the bobbing of the Mantis and it's ability to stop and begin motion in a flash are amazing!

Monkey- Tricky, unorthodox, gymnastic, playful, decoy-like positions make this perhaps the most aesthetically pleasing antics of Shaolin outgrowth. Flexibility, agility, and precarious balance and timing are all necessary to do Monkey and it's various versions" Standing/Stone/Drunken, etc.

Specific Styles or Taolu (Forms) one must learn to advance:

Six Harmonies Fist

Lohan/Arhat Fist

Cannon Fist

and the list goes on...

The weapons range from the Staff, to broadswords, to exotic whip chains, and meteor hammers.

I advise you to do a deeper study on all this and there must be Library, online, and so much here at Answers for you to learn from...then hopefully you will one day find a good Shi-Fu (teacher father) to learn under.

Hope this helps you broaden your understanding.

Answer 3

The only ones I know are monkey wolf and sholin (that might be spelled wrong) but there are more.

Answer 4

Perhaps Shaolin. It could be Wing Chun; people knew what it was because of Bruce Lee.