Cheng Man-Ching 8 Methods
1. Wearing the moon on the head like a cap
2. Walking on ice
3. Wading the stream
4. Skulling
5. Standing on the edge of abyss
6. Setting the sail
7. Parting the wind
8. Pushing the clouds
Here’s another version as the 8 methods can be sequenced according to different teachers:
The Eight-method Tai Chi Drill
As taught by Professor Cheng Man-ching in New York City between 1965 and 1975.
Transmitted by Tam Gibbs.
Written by Carol McGonegal of Annapolis, Maryland.
It was also published in the booklet: “In Commemoration of the 3rd Anniversary, Tai-Chi Ch’uan Association” by Shr-jung School at 211 Canal Street, New York, NY.
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1. Walking on Thin Ice
Imagine you are walking on slippery thin ice with one inch of water underneath. You don’t want to break through the ice or slip and fall.
2. Wearing the Moon like a Cap
Add onto any of the other methods, for example after walking on thin ice for a while, we were asked to wear the moon like a cap. The head is upright and you imagine the soft spot on your head is attached to the moon and the feet to the earth.
3. Sculling (plying the oar)
Like the PUSH in the Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail posture. Imagine you are on a boat with an oar getting across a river.
4. Setting the Sail
Like the Fair Lady Weaving at the Shuttles posture. Imagine a Chinese junk, feel yourself raising the sail (pushing the sail up).
5. Chasing Clouds
Like Waving Hands in the Clouds posture. Imagine you are the mountain and your hands are the clouds.
6. Standing over the Abyss or Standing on the Brink
Like the White Crane Spreads the Wings posture. Imagine a ledge at the toe of your back foot.
7. Walking in Water or Wading the Stream
Imagine you are knee deep in a stream with a 3 mph current. Feel the bottom of the stream as you walk.
8. Riding the Wind
Like the Diagonal Flying posture. Imagine you are soaring, gliding through the air.
Yang Symmey 13 by Karla Groesbeck
Symmey 13 – List of moves:
N – Long Commencement, 3 Phases of Tree
E – Peng, Lu, Ji, An (Ward-off, Roll-back, Press, Push)
W – Peng, Lu, Ji, An (Ward-off, Roll-back, Press, Push)
E – Dan Bien (Single Whip)
W – Dan Bien (Single Whip)
N – Embrace Tiger Return to Mountain, Conclusion, Shower of Stars
The Beijing 10 aka Tai Chi 10
The 24 Form performed by the Family who created it.
24 Step Simplified Tai Chi by Master Faye Li Yip, one of the world’s highest authority on the routine. her great uncle Grand master Li Tan Ji structured the routine, which has now become the most popular and most practised routine in the world. Master Faye is the highest authority outside China. Her father Professor Li Deyin is the person who promoted the 24 Beijing style tai chi and he is the highest authority in the world on the routine.
24 Form by our friend, Sifu Qiao
Sifu Karla and Sifu Qiao perform Yang 28 on WTCQ Day 2018
for Han Hoong Wang and Michigan Tai Chi Center.
Yang Family 22 Essentials Form
Yang Family 49 Competition Form
Yang Family 103 Long Form