Tai Chi Section 1 of the Dual Symmetrical Yang style introduces the foundational movements of the traditional Yang Style Tai Chi long form (AKA the 108 form), as adapted by Grandmaster Tchoung Ta-Tchen.
To make training more balanced and effective, Grandmaster Tchoung divided the long form into six sections and developed his signature Dual Symmetrical system, where each posture is performed on both the right and left sides of the body. This unique method trains coordination, posture, and whole-body strength.
Practicing Dual Symmetrical Yang Style Tai Chi Section 1 builds a solid foundation for Tai Chi beginners, promoting health, stress reduction, balance, flexibility, and personal growth, while also preparing students for the deeper principles and advanced sections of the form.
This page and video are for educational reference only and are not a substitute for in-person instruction with a qualified Tai Chi teacher.
Tai Chi Section 1 Form
Guidelines for Beginners to Remember:
- Shoulder-Width Stances
With the exception of the back stance, most stances (such as Bow Stance, Empty Stance, and Taiji Stance) are practiced with the heels approximately shoulder-width apart.- Think railroad tracks, not a tightrope—each foot has its own line instead of both feet being on the same front-to-back path.
- Foot Positioning
In most stances, the front foot points straight forward while the back foot turns out 45°–90° for stability. - Pivoting
Pivot on the heels when stepping forward or adjusting stance, not on the balls of the feet. - Unweight Before Turning
Always unweight the foot before turning on the heel, and initiate the turn from the hips, not just the leg. - Knee Alignment
Knees should stay aligned over the feet and should never extend past the toes to protect the joints.
List of Movements:
(in English, Chinese, and Pinyin)
- Preparation (N)
预 备 Yùbèi
Wuji Stance - Opening (N)
起式 Qǐ shì
Taiji Stance - Right Ward-off (N)
右掤 Yòu pēng
Right Bow Stance - Left Ward-off (N)
左掤 Zuǒ pēng
Left Bow Stance - Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail (E)
揽雀尾 Lǎn què wěi
(Consists of Ward-off, rollback, press, push)
(掤, 捋, 擠, 按 péng, lǚ, jǐ, àn)
Right Bow Stance - Single Whip (W)
单鞭 Dān biān
Left Bow Stance - Raise Hands (N)
提手上势 Tí shǒu shàng shì
Right Empty Stance - Dragon Turns Head (N)
龍回頭 Lóng huí tóu
(Consists of pulldown, split, elbow, shoulder)
(採, 挒, 肘, 靠 cǎi, liè, zhǒu, kào)
Right Empty Stance - White Crane Spreads its Wings (W)
白鹤亮翅 Bái hè liàng chì
Left Empty Stance - Vertical Split, Transition to other side (S)
- Left Ward-off (S)
左掤 Zuǒ pēng
Left Bow Stance - Right Ward-off (S)
右掤 Yòu pēng
Right Bow Stance - Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail (E)
揽雀尾 Lǎn què wěi
(Consists of Ward-off, rollback, press, push)
(掤, 捋, 擠, 按 péng, lǚ, jǐ, àn)
Left Bow Stance - Single Whip (W)
单鞭 Dān biān
Right Bow Stance - Raise Hands (S)
提手上势 Tí shǒu shàng shì
Left Empty Stance - Dragon Turns Head (S)
龍回頭 Lóng huí tóu
(Consists of pulldown, split, elbow, shoulder)
(採, 挒, 肘, 靠 cǎi, liè, zhǒu, kào)
Left Empty Stance - White Crane Spreads Wings (W)
白鹤亮翅
Bái hè liàng chì - Brush Knee and Push (W)
搂膝拗步Lōu xī ǎo bù
Right Bow Stance with a Follow-through Step - Play the Pi Pa (W)
手挥琵琶 Shǒu hūi Pí pā
Right Back Stance - Brush Knee and Push (W)
搂膝拗步 Lōu xī ǎo bù
Right Bow Stance - Deflect, Parry, Punch (W)
搬拦捶 Bān lán chuí
Right Bow Stance - Withdraw and Push/Apparent Closing (W)
如封似闭 Rú fēng shì bì
Right Bow Stance - Brush Knee and Push (W)
搂膝拗步 Lōu xī ǎo bù
Left Bow Stance with a Follow-through Step - Play the Pi Pa (W)
手挥琵琶 Shǒu hūi pí pā
Left Back Stance - Brush Knee and Push (W)
搂膝拗步 Lōu xī ǎo bù
Left Bow Stance - Deflect, Parry, Punch (W)
搬拦捶 Bān lán chuí
Left Bow Stance - Withdraw and Push/Apparent Closing (W)
如封似闭 Rú fēng shì bì
Left Bow Stance - Turn to Cross Hands (N)
十字手 Shí zì shǒu
Return to Wuji Stance
End of Dual Symmetrical Yang Style Tai Chi Section 1