Tai Chi Basics: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Wu Style Tai Chi

Learn how tai chi blends internal body coordination with ligaments, joints, and muscles to generate power through soft, meditative practice, solo balance, and safe partner training.

Trace tai chi's history to Zhang Sanfeng, a Wudang monk who observed the snake and crane and yielded, shaping Wu style lineage and its public opening in 1916.

Learn tai chi walking in Wu Style basics: align feet, tuck chin, relax the body, and perform yin yang separation with forward and backward steps and heel-first landings.

Explore five Wu style tai chi warm ups, from a horse stance to hand and wrist drills, emphasizing breath, hip-driven movement, and preparation for the 12 posture form.

Learn three fundamental tai chi stances - sitting stance, forward lean stance, and horse stance - with weight distribution, hip alignment, and foot placement for Wu style tai chi practice.

Practice five cooldowns for wu style tai chi, guiding neck and shoulder rotations, hip loosening with arm swings, and a controlled squat hold to finish with ease and energy.

Learn the 12 posture form in Wu style tai chi through a step-by-step guide, building foundational tai chi skills and posture alignment.

Learn the beginning of the 12 posture form in tai chi basics, focusing on wrist bend, elbow sinking, palms flattening, and weight shifting from toes to heels.

Explore form three, play guitar in Wu style tai chi, detailing the front-leg weight shift, elbow sink, chop, and the sequence of stepping, turning, and aligning the arms.

Demonstrate form four, brush knee and push left, by opening hips, sinking the left elbow to protect the face, and pressing forward with the left palm as weight shifts.

Learn form five of Wu style Tai Chi: step forward, brush knee and push right, with hip opening, weight shifting, and right palm protecting the face while brushing knee.

Perform form six, repulse monkey, the backwards version of brush knee and push; shift weight to the back leg, open the hip, and brush knee with the right.

Learn form seven, fair lady works at shuttle, with sequential hip openings, weight shifts, and wrist rolling to press under with the left palm toward the right.

form ten push forward sequence: left hand outside the elbow, open right palm, sink right elbow, shift weight to the right leg, and move forward with palms dropping.

Learn qigong 1 in a horse stance, with controlled breath and shoulder rolls to improve shoulder health and upper back alignment, as part of tai chi basics in wu style.

Perform second qigong in a walking stance, shift weight to one leg, step heel-first with crossed arms, and breathe in and out through ten repetitions per leg, then switch legs.

Practice qigong 3 to regulate blood pressure with a beginner-friendly horse stance, arms aligned to the center line, hip-driven turns, and steady breathing.

Learn the kidney stretch in Tai Chi, starting in a horse stance, coordinating hip closure with palm presses, breathing, and controlled leaning to each side before relaxing.

Practice embracing moon qigong in a horse stance with tucked hips and bent knees. Breathe in as you raise the palms, then exhale to separate and expand.

Learn a balanced Wu style qigong in a horse stance, focusing on one breathing pattern while coordinating palm movements from center line to the corners and forward presses.

Learn a quick, dynamic qigong sequence for Tai Chi basics that stretches the lower back, uses stepping with breath and hand movements, and does three quick cycles on each side.

Practice slant flying qigong in horse stance, alternate left palm out and right single whip, lean and look past the hands with breathing in and out, six times per side.

Improve tai chi flexibility by stretching through the forms, maintaining a flat back leg, and activating a full shoulder-to-arm stretch; test mobility with the t-shirt chest test.

Develop focused meditation during tai chi by aligning movement with breath and maintaining intent on the present moment. Experience meditation in motion that improves attention span and cognitive awareness.

Maintain knee alignment during tai chi walking to prevent knee pain, and use small hand circles to stretch the wrists and help prevent arthritis and carpal tunnel.

Learn the 12 posture form of Wu style Tai Chi through a step-by-step guide in Tai Chi basics.

Perform a five minute tai chi warm up to loosen joints, boost circulation, and improve leg mobility and balance through steps, knee rotations, and horse stances.

Continue the ten-minute Wu style tai chi routine with a horse stance, hip turns, and flowing qigong sequences, synchronized with breath and palm positions.

Master three Tai Chi balance routines in Wu style, featuring weight shifting, toe-down steps, and qi gong horse stances. Improve leg strength and balance in 3–6 months with consistent practice.

Explore next steps on your tai chi journey with resources like the 12 postures and form. Try the 30-day beginner guide to build daily habits and join sessions at v-live.