24-Form — Group 2: Strum the Pipa, Repulse the Monkey, Grasp the Sparrow's Tail (left)¶
Group 2 moves from opening to imagined interaction with an opponent — this is where the martial nature of Tai Chi begins to emerge.
Posture 4: Strum the Pipa (手揮琵琶)¶
Other names¶
Hand Strums the Lute, Play the Pipa
Description¶
Weight on right leg. Left foot steps forward, only toe-touching. Two hands cross at the abdomen (right hand on top, left below). Palms face each other.
Subtle points¶
- "Holding the pipa" image: Both hands wrap like holding an ancient lute
- Light toe touch: Back leg keeps weight, front leg only "touches" — don't shift center
- Both elbows relaxed: Shoulders not tensed
Common mistakes¶
- Both hands using force ("choking" the pipa)
- Front toe pressing hard into the ground
- Body leaning forward
Application¶
This posture trains single-leg balance at a higher level — preparing for kicks later. Also trains hands relaxed (shoulders not tensed) — the principle "relax to have force" of internal practice.
Posture 5: Repulse the Monkey (左右倒卷肱)¶
Other names¶
Step Back and Whirl Arms, Retreating Arm Roll
Description¶
Step back with back foot. One hand waves behind like releasing something. Other hand pulls back to chest. Repeat on other side.
Subtle points¶
- Step BACK, not forward: Unlike most postures, this trains stepping back — harder than stepping forward
- Waving arm has force: The arm waving behind isn't just releasing — it is pushing with force (when it has reached the opponent)
- Eyes follow the front hand: The hand pulling back is the main hand, eyes follow this hand
Common mistakes¶
- Back-step heavy, loses balance
- Waving arm simply dangles
- No hip rotation when waving
Application¶
This posture trains stable back-stepping — needed in both real life (stepping back from a car) and martial arts. Also trains arm has force but still relaxed — the key paradox of Tai Chi.
Postures 6-7: Grasp the Sparrow's Tail (攬雀尾) — Left and Right¶
Other names¶
Lan Que Wei, Catch the Sparrow's Tail
Description¶
Four sub-postures in one major posture: 1. Ward Off (掤 / Bìng) — left hand raises forward 2. Rollback (捋 / Lǚ) — hand rotates, pulls to side 3. Press (擠 / Jǐ) — right hand pushes outward 4. Push (按 / Àn) — both hands press down at abdomen
Why Grasp the Sparrow's Tail is important¶
- Trains all 4 basic forces (Ward Off, Rollback, Press, Push) in one sequence
- Appears 3 times in the 24-form — the most-repeated posture
- Core training of every Tai Chi set — mastering Grasp the Sparrow's Tail = learning ⅓ of the set
Four sub-postures in detail¶
| Sub-posture | Chinese | Meaning | Force | Main movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ward Off | 掤 | Lift, support | Covering up | Left hand raises to shoulder height |
| Rollback | 捋 | Pull side | Leading to side | Left hand rotates, waist pulls |
| Press | 擠 | Squeeze | Pressure | Right hand pushes outward |
| Push | 按 | Press down | Pressing down | Both hands press down at abdomen |
Common mistakes¶
- Ward Off: Shoulders raised, arms using force — must relax, use intention
- Rollback: No hip rotation, pulling with hand instead of waist
- Press: Both arms straight like pushing a wall — must be curved, use spiral force
- Push: Pressing straight down — must press in a forward arc
Real-world martial application¶
Grasp the Sparrow's Tail is not an "exercise" — it is training in responding to opponent's force: - Ward Off: catching a punch - Rollback: leading force to the side - Press: pressing opponent into a corner - Push: pushing opponent away
How to practice Group 2¶
- Postures 4-5: Practice separately 5-10 minutes daily for 1-2 weeks
- Grasp the Sparrow's Tail: Practice Ward Off-Rollback-Press-Push separately for 2-3 weeks. When familiar, connect into one sequence
- Practice in front of a mirror to self-check shoulders, hips, weight
- Find a practice partner for push hands (Tui Shou) once familiar with Grasp the Sparrow's Tail