help needed: yang form, 13 steps

[andreux]

Hi everyone,

A few years ago, I studied Tai Chi under a rather esoteric
school. We were initially taught a 13-step short form
that we would go through on a daily basis as the beginning
steps of learning what I believe they said was the Long Yang
Form.

Unfortunately, since moving, I've lost all my old notes.
Now finding myself at a JKD/JF/WC school, I've been trying
to remember the exact sequence of the 13-step
short form as I'd like to personally continue practicing
it. (I found it really relaxing, and now studying the
above, I think that it would help even more.)

My question is: has anyone else used a 13-step
short form, or was this a personal subset of the
long form?

Thanks in advance,
andreux

[David Jamieson]

Hi Andreux.

I'm not certain about 13 steps and it may have been a way of transmission unique to your teacher.

When I learned yang I was first taught short form comprised of 36 sections. When I learned long it was 108 sections but there was repitition and left and right side components to the sets.

I learned these when I was around 12 years old which was 1976.

perhaps the 13 were a break down of your teachers faves or what the tecaer considered the keystones to the way it was taught?

Not sure. Since I learned the Yang short and long formas, I have heard of many other iterations of the Yang style Tai chi. Some say 37 in short some say 40 in long I have heard 102, 108, 113.

I think that as long as the intent is clear and the alignment and breath are good you will be fine.

peace

[No_Know]

Starting out feet apart, tunn right raising right harm; step in with left some then step out initial forwardraising left arm and lowering right.

Does this seem like what you did?


Could be Brush Wild Horses mane, left then right then Grasp Sparrows Tail; Play Guitar (the p'ai pa~)...shoulder stroke; WhiteCrane Spreads it's wings;?; Brush Knee and push...then a grab throw type move; punch and coverhand along underside of forearm; push; rollback; settle.

[andreux]

Hi, and thanks for the responses.

Chances are, Kung Lek is right and the steps I
was taught were just the instructor's personal
favorite "starter set".

Unfortunately, it's been so long that while I
remember many of the moves, I don't remember
the exact sequence. :/

Cheers,
andreux

[Naturalkilla]

If you want to do Taiji like this, why not get a tape of a Yang set such as the 24 that doesn't take too long and that you could choreograph quickly. Why is it so essential that you relearn this particular set?