I’ve been studying Tai Chi since I retired in 2010. For most of that time I have maintained an online Tai Chi Notebook, not because I am any kind of authority–I’m not!–but because it helps me. I’m a writer–I learn best by writing. Also, it helps to have video links and lists of names within easy reach.
I am currently studying, at a distance, with Master Jesse Tsao, with whom I have traveled to China twice. I have also studied with Grandmaster Aiping Cheng, who moved to Austin a couple of years ago, much to my delight, and with a wonderful Taiwanese master named Frank Lee.
I first learned Tai Chi at Master Gohring’s Tai Chi and Kung Fu in Austin, but I have also practiced for some years with a woman named Long Feng, who studied with a master in her native Sichuan Province, and with other Chinese friends in my neighborhood. Among them in particular, Hu Pei Yi, a national-level instructor and coach from Jiangying, has been extremely generous with her excellent teaching. Most of what I know about sword I have learned from her.
I am in black, with a gold fan, and that’s Hu Pei Yi in white next to me, with a blue fan. Long Feng is on my other side, with a gold fan like mine. Lily, with the red fan and blue shirt, is the subject of one of my books, Red Sky in the Morning.
My Chinese friends mostly don’t speak English. Most are about my age, with grown children who have moved to this country. I’ve picked up very little conversational Chinese, but I’ve learned a fair amount of what I call Taijiese–Chinese names and instructions for Tai Chi movements and forms. A number of pages in this notebook are devoted to the study of these terms.
This is me, doing blissful early morning Yang in the Wudang mountains.
My practice encompasses both traditional and modern Tai Chi. I know traditional Yang-style tai chi best, and I have studied Chen style for almost as long, but in recent years, I have been more and more drawn to the Wu and Sun styles.
I’m not an instructor. The material in this notebook is not reviewed or approved by anyone. These are my personal notes, which anyone is welcome to use, but which exist mainly for my own convenience. I am happy to hear about any mistakes or need for corrections!
Like I said–I’m a writer. I’ve published three murder mysteries and one short non-fiction. All links below are to Kindle ebook editions. Print editions are available too.
BLUE LAKE: A Mystery – Rural Virginia, 1945. The Second World War had just ended when Alice Hannon found the lifeless body…read more
FREEWHEELING: Murder on the Coast – Beautiful, carefree Randi Bell is oblivious to the danger that surrounds her. She makes excuses for her violently jealous…read more
ACCIDENTS OF LIFE: Murder in the Making – Ex-homicide detective Gil Tillier is called to a bloody crime scene. Local cops are off like hounds on a trail of…read more
LAY DEATH AT HER DOOR – Twenty years ago, Kate Cranbrook’s eyewitness testimony sent the wrong man to prison for rape and murder. When new evidence exonerates him…read more
Non-fiction:
RED SKY IN THE MORNING – Xa Lili was just six years old when full-blown combat erupted in war-weary Vietnam…read more
Tai Chi Notebook 
Dear Elizabeth, your blog / notebook is very interesting and well done. I too am a Tai Chi enthusiast. I plan to write a book about what I have learnt. I was just taught the fan form. However, it is the 30 move set, not the 42 move set you describe. It is by the same creator. A video of the form (quite old now) shows the names of the moves in Chinese characters. I’ve reconciled all but 7 of the names (that is, 23 moves are in common). I was wondering if you could help fill in the blanks. Also, I have many more questions I could ask of you if you are open to discussion. All the best in life. -Simon
Hello, Simon. The 42-step fan form is the mid-level Huawu form. I have never seen video or names for the first level, but I bet that’s what you’ve found. If you want to send me a link, I’ll be glad to see if I can figure out the missing characters. Thanks for your comment! Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth, Here is the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG7enkPER5Y.
Also, I’d had a friend translate the missing names, see if you agree. Here is the list, in brackets are the moves in common with the 42 form.
1. Commencement (1)
2. Red phoenix greets the sun (3)
3. White monkey offers fruit
4. Three rams bring bliss
5. Push the waves even higher (4)
6. Wild goose swoops down (5)
7. Turnaround and hit the tiger (6)
8. Bend to pluck the lotus root (7)
9. The bird returns to the forest
10. Divine dragon looks back
11. Goose lands in the desert
12. Giant roc flies obliquely
13. Lion holds the pearl (34)
14. Swallow skims the water (14)
15. Golden rooster stands on one leg (15)
16. Cloud-swallow returns to the nest
17. Peacock spreads its tail (8)
18. Push boat with current (17)
19. White crane spreads wings (18)
20. Feathered fan paddles the river (19)
21. Flower opens to the moon (21)
22. White snake sticks out its tongue (22)
23. Fair lady works the shuttles (23)
24. Drunken beauty (29)
25. Great grandfather goes fishing (37)
26. Face the wind and brush away dust (24)
27. Eagle spreads its wings (38)
28. Golden phoenix turns its head (39)
29. Spirit woman shows the way (41)
30. Conclusion (42)
One possibly idiomatic name is move 16, “cloud-swallow” is a poetic name for wonton dumplings, which when cooked in broth float like small clouds. This still does not make much sense! What’s the nest for a wonton?
I stumbled on your notebook and I’m enjoying it immensely. Thank you for your sincere effort to collect and share your experiences.
Thank you!
Very nice blog with good info! may I ask? when you work the 24 after performing it to the left and closing it, do you repeat the sequence to the right so that when you close you stop in the same place? I was told or read that some do- so the form is symmetrical- Its not easy lol- I am trying to figure that out!
Hi, and thank you. Jesse Tsao once told me that you are supposed to finish about where you start, and I agree, it’s not easy, with 24 and with other forms as well. Sometimes I use chalk to mark a box on the ground and start there and try to finish up there. If I end up off-target in one direction, I look for where I could step a little differently. I could get OCD about this, but unless you are in a competition where it counts, or performing on a small stage, I’m not sure it really matters much. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.:)