In most Tai Chi systems, the Commencement Form (sometimes called Opening Form, Beginning Posture, or in some traditions Awakening the Qi) is much more than “just starting the form.”

It’s a reset for the body and mind that sets the tone for everything that follows. 

• Physically: Aligns posture, centers weight, and switches from normal standing to Tai Chi structure.

• Energetically: Sinks Qi into the Dantian, connects to the ground, and begins the upward–downward circulation.

• Mentally: Drops daily tension and places awareness in the present moment.

Parting the Horse’s Mane teaches how to move from the Ground through the Dantian, letting the arms be led by the body rather than moving independently.

It trains the separation of Yin and Yang — one hand rising and projecting, the other sinking and rooting.

• Physically: Develops balance, weight transfer, and whole-body connection while keeping Song in the joints

• Energetically: Channels Qi from the feet to the palms, creating both expression and reception at the same time.

• Martially: It can uproot, deflect, or enter while maintaining stability and root.

Cloud Hands trains continuous waist-driven movement, with the arms following in soft, circular paths.

It develops lateral stepping while keeping root, balance, and connection between upper and lower body.

The movement constantly alternates Yin and Yang in the hands, maintaining openness in Lao Gong.

• Physically: Builds coordination, fluidity, and the ability to redirect force without breaks or stiffness

• Energetically: Circulates Qi side-to-side like rolling waves, with the Dantian as the driver.

Balancing on one leg unites rooting and rising, training the body to stabilize from the Dantian and spine. The lifted hand expresses upward while the standing leg grounds deeply, ensuring yin–yang separation and whole-body integration.

It teaches stability through micro-adjustments, aligning the vertical axis and keeping balance between earth and sky.

• Physically: Strengthens root, leg stability, and fascial integration along the standing chain (foot → hip → spine → arm). Trains posture and balance without collapsing.

• Mentally: Develops focus, presence, and confidence in instability. The mind learns to stay calm and upright even when challenged.

• Energetically: Directs Qi upward through the spine while rooting downward through the foot, creating a continuous flow along the vertical axis without “breaking” in the middle.

Perspective 1 - 20 Minutes

Perspective 2 - 20 Minutes

This sequence embodies the essence of Tai Chi — expansion, yielding, integration, and release. Each phase flows from the Dantian and Kua, ensuring the whole body moves as one through the four core energies: 
Peng, Lu, Ji, An.

It integrates yin and yang into a complete cycle, training resilience by balancing softness with strength.

• Physically: Builds whole-body coordination through four qualities: Peng (ward-off/expansion), Lu (rollback/yielding), Ji (press/forward integration), and An (push/release). Strengthens legs, waist rotation, and connected arms.

• Mentally: Trains adaptability — expanding when there is space, yielding when pressured, uniting when stable, and releasing when complete. Builds timing, patience, and responsiveness.

• Energetically: Cycles Qi through all directions — outward, inward, unifying, and releasing — keeping the energy wave intact while teaching transformation of force.

Perspective 1 - 20 Minutes

Perspective 2 - 20 Minutes

Perspective 1 - 20 Minutes

Perspective 2 - 20 Minutes