The Lu 64 Move Form

'ai Chi has been practiced in China for thousands of years. It is performed in slow motion based on a continuous flowing movement coordinated with deep breathing. It resembles an effortless dance, but every movement is precise and is performed with a great deal of internal strength.

The 64 movement Yang Style is a beautiful, rounded style of body movement. The complete form takes about 20 minutes to perform. The space required is about 12’ to the right and to the left, and about 6’ in front and behind you. Many prefer to practice outdoors, not just because of the space used, but because of the pleasure of integrating one’s energy with the universe. Each movement is a succession of an opposite action, so that the hand which is above descends and the hand which is below rises. No movement is complete in itself; it is always moving towards its opposite. The end of one is the beginning of another. This reflects the way of nature. Everything in the universe is constantly changing and renewing itself in a cyclical pattern, so it is with T'ai Chi. Movements are forever changing. No posture is held - it is a continuous flow, each posture melting away as soon as it is formed. It is by practicing T'ai Chi that one is able to harmonize oneself with internal balancing changes, and to flow peacefully with eternal change.

It is important to remember the Essential Principles when performing T'ai Chi: be relaxed and rooted, hold your head erect, move as a cylinder, keep legs flexed, harmonize, and concentrate.

There are 64 distinct movements in this form, which include the following moves: