103-form Yang family tai chi, also called the Traditional Form (or, Long Form), is a prescribed sequence of moves used to practice Yang-style tai chi.

Tai chi forms

The different slow motion solo form training sequences of tai chi are the best known manifestation of tai chi for the general public. In English, they are usually called the hand form or just the form; in Mandarin it is usually called quan. They are usually performed slowly and are designed to string together an inventory of important techniques, and to promote relaxation, as well as other foundational principles.

Duration

This sequence of moves, when performed at its prescribed speed, usually takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes to complete.

Differences between schools

The following is an English translation from Chinese of the form list used by the current Yang family teachers. Other Yang style schools may have significantly different enumeration schemes. The moves can also add up to 85, 88, 108, 113 or 150 depending on how they are counted. The book called Yang Shi Taijiquan ("Yang-style tai chi"), by Fu Zhongwen, breaks the form into each of its discrete movements.

Yang-style 103-Form list of Postures

The 103 postures of the Yang family style of tai chi are as follows: