Syllabus

Forms and Techniques

The Wu family preserved one of the most complete syllabi in Chinese internal martial arts: the slow round hand form of 108 movements, the fast form, the sabre and sword sets of 108 movements each, the spear, the sticking pole, and the two-person push hands method. On this page we publish the full movement lists of the Wu Style International syllabus — the Southern line of the family, transmitted from Wu Chien Chuan through Wu Kung Yi and the Hong Kong academy — together with the Northern school forms of the Wang Mao Zhai line, the 83-movement square frame and the 45-form competition set. The two schools are one art: their histories are compared in our article on the Southern and Northern schools.

Hand Forms — Southern Line (Wu Family Round Frame)

The 108 Movements of Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan

The traditional long form as taught in the Hong Kong academy, from the Beginning of Tai Chi Chuan to the Conclusion of Tai Chi Chuan.

  1. Beginning of Tai Chi Chuan
  2. Raise Hands
  3. Play Guitar
  4. Grasp Bird's Tail
  5. Single Whip
  6. Slant Flying
  7. Raise Hands
  8. White Crane Spreads Wings
  9. Brush Knee, Push (Left & Right, 4 Times)
  10. Playing Guitar
  11. Step Forward and Push
  12. Push Forward
  13. Carry Tiger to the Mountain
  14. Cross Hands
  15. Slant Brush Knee and Push
  16. Turn Body, Brush Knee & Push
  17. Grasp Bird's Tail
  18. Single Whip
  19. Fist Under Elbow
  20. Step Back, Repulse Monkey (Left & Right, 3 Times)
  21. Slant Flying
  22. Raise Hands
  23. White Crane Spreads Wings
  24. Brush Knee and Push
  25. Needle at Sea Bottom
  26. Play Arms Like a Fan
  27. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
  28. Step Back and Punch
  29. Step Forward and Grasp Bird's Tail
  30. Single Whip
  31. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
  32. Single Whip
  33. Left High Pat on Horse
  34. Right Foot Kick (Separate)
  35. Right High Pat on Horse
  36. Left Foot Kick (Separate)
  37. Turn Body, Kick with Heel
  38. Brush Knee and Push (Right & Left)
  39. Step Forward and Punch Down
  40. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
  41. High Pat on Horse
  42. (Right) Separate Hands
  43. 1st Raise Foot
  44. Step Back Seven Stars
  45. Step Back and Hit the Tiger
  46. 2nd Raise Foot
  47. Hit Opponent's Ear with Fist
  48. Lean Back and Kick
  49. Turn Body and Kick with Heel
  50. High Pat on Horse
  51. Step Forward and Punch
  52. Push Forward
  53. Carry Tiger to the Mountain
  54. Cross Hands
  55. Slant Brush Knee and Push
  56. Turn Body, Brush Knee and Push
  57. Grasp Bird's Tail
  58. Single Whip
  59. Play Guitar
  60. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Right)
  61. Play Guitar
  62. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Left)
  63. Play Guitar
  64. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Right)
  65. Fair Lady Works at Shuttle (Twice)
  66. Play Guitar
  67. Wild Horse Separate Mane
  68. Fair Lady Works at Shuttle (Twice)
  69. Grasp Bird's Tail
  70. Single Whip
  71. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
  72. Single Whip
  73. Snake Creeps Down
  74. Golden Cock on Left Leg
  75. Golden Cock on Right Leg
  76. Step Back and Repulse Monkey (Left and Right Three Times)
  77. Cross Slant Flying
  78. Raise Hands
  79. White Crane Spreads Wings
  80. Brush Knee and Push
  81. Needle at Sea Bottom
  82. Play Arms Like a Fan
  83. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
  84. Step Forward and Punch
  85. Step Forward and Grasp Bird's Tail
  86. Single Whip
  87. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
  88. Single Whip
  89. High Pat on Horse
  90. Slap Face with Palm
  91. Turn Body and Single Lotus Kick
  92. Brush Knee and Push
  93. Step Forward and Punch to Opponent's Lower Abdomen
  94. Step Forward, Grasp Bird's Tail
  95. Single Whip
  96. Snake Creeps Down
  97. Step Forward Seven Stars
  98. Step Back Ride the Tiger
  99. Turn Body and Slap Face with Palm
  100. Turn Body and Double Lotus Kick
  101. Shoot Tiger
  102. High Pat on Horse
  103. Slap Face with Palm
  104. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
  105. Step Forward and High Pat on Horse
  106. Step Forward Grasp Bird's Tail
  107. Single Whip
  108. Conclusion of Tai Chi Chuan

Wu Style International 54 Competition Round Form

The condensed round-frame set published by Wu Style International for competition and daily practice.

  1. The Beginning (Raise Hands) (Play Guitar)
  2. Grasp Bird's Tail
  3. Single Whip (Slant Flying)
  4. Raise Hands
  5. White Crane Spreads Wings
  6. Brush Knee & Push
  7. Step Forward And Push
  8. Step Forward And Punch
  9. Carry Tiger To The Mountain
  10. Cross Hands
  11. Brush Knee And Push (Left)
  12. Needle At Sea Bottom
  13. Play Arms Like A Fan
  14. Fist Under The Elbow
  15. Repulse Monkey (Once)
  16. Slant Flying
  17. Wave Hands Like A Cloud
  18. Single Whip
  19. High Pat On Horse (Left)
  20. Right, Left Separate Foot
  21. Turn Body And Kick With Heel
  22. Shift Forward And Punch Down
  23. Turn Body And Strike With Back Of Fist
  24. High Pat On Horse
  25. First Raise Foot
  26. Step Back & Hit Tiger
  27. Second Raise Foot
  28. Strike Opponent's Ears With Fists
  29. Lean Back & Kick
  30. Turn Body & Kick With Heel
  31. Wild Horse Separate Mane (Once)
  32. Fair Lady Works The Shuttle (Twice, Front And Back) (Grasp Bird's Tail)
  33. Single Whip
  34. Snake Creeps Down
  35. Left, Right Golden Cock
  36. Repulse Monkey (Twice - Left & Right)
  37. Slap Face With Palm
  38. Turn Body, Single Lotus Kick
  39. Brush Knee & Push
  40. Step Forward & Punch To Opponent's Lower Abdomen
  41. Step Forward, Grasp Bird's Tail
  42. Single Whip
  43. Snake Creeps Down
  44. Step Up Seven Stars
  45. Step Back Ride Tiger
  46. Turn Body Slap Face
  47. Turn Body Double Lotus Kick
  48. Bend Bow Shoot Tiger
  49. Slap Face With Palm
  50. Turn Body And Strike With Back Of Fist
  51. Step Forward High Pat On Horse
  52. Step Forward Grasp Bird's Tail
  53. Single Whip
  54. Conclusion Of Tai Chi Chuan

Weapons — Wu Family Sabre and Sword

Wu Style Tai Chi Sabre — 108 Movements

  1. Beginning of T'ai Chi Sabre
  2. Grasp Bird's Tail
  3. Turn Body, Brush Knee and Push
  4. Cross Tao
  5. Step Forward and Cover Knee
  6. Evade, Stretch and Watch Tao
  7. Step Forward and Watch Tao
  8. Step Forward (left) and Take Star
  9. Step Forward Strike to Groin
  10. Retreat and Capture Tao
  11. Heart Splitting Stroke
  12. Embrace Moon
  13. Ugly Girl Testing the Sea
  14. Retreat and Strike
  15. Turn Body and Strike to Groin
  16. Embrace Moon
  17. Push Shuttles and Gaze at Moon
  18. Accipiter Turning its Body
  19. Turn Body and Watch Tao
  20. Raise, Take, Sink, Grasp and Hide Tao
  21. Strike at Face
  22. Turn Body and Hide Tao
  23. Strike Knee
  24. Raise Tao and Test the Sea
  25. Step Forward and Strike
  26. Raise, Take and Hide Tao
  27. Dragon Dashes Out of the Water
  28. Turn Body and Hide Tao
  29. Strike Upwards Thrice
  30. Take Off Shoes in a Drunken Mood
  31. Ugly Girl Testing the Sea
  32. Turn Body and Hide Tao
  33. Heart Splitting Stroke
  34. Retreat and Strike
  35. Sweeping Comet Chasing the Moon
  36. Cross Sweep a Thousand Soldiers
  37. Embrace Moon
  38. Push Shuttles and Gaze at Moon
  39. Turn Body and Hide Tao
  40. Heart Splitting Stroke
  41. Retreat and Strike
  42. Step Forward and Take Tao
  43. Netting the Moon
  44. Retreat and Grasp Tao
  45. Heart Splitting Stroke
  46. Embrace Moon
  47. Push Shuttles and Gaze at Moon
  48. Strike Tiger
  49. Fierce Tiger Jumping Creek
  50. Strike Face
  51. Lying Tiger
  52. Turn Body and Hide Tao
  53. Heart Splitting Stroke
  54. Winding Dragon Upright Tao
  55. Fast Step Winding Dragon
  56. Fast Step Flooding Cloud
  57. Hiding the Tao
  58. Hooking Double
  59. Defend Knee
  60. Step Forward and Strike
  61. Lying Tiger
  62. Lying Fish
  63. Turn Body and Watch Tao
  64. Step Forward and Strike Face
  65. Retreat Lying Tiger
  66. Lying Fish
  67. Turn Body and Watch Tao
  68. Step Forward Heart Splitting Stroke
  69. Turn Body and Stop Tao
  70. Green Snake Lies on Ground
  71. Heart Splitting Stroke
  72. Turn Body and Strike
  73. Speed the Horse with Whip
  74. Golden Needle Pointing South
  75. By-Pass Step and Strike
  76. Step Back, Slant Flying
  77. Raise Tao to Test Sea
  78. Step Forward and Strike
  79. Retreat, Evade and Stretch
  80. Tyrannical King Raises his Whip
  81. Double Hanging Strike
  82. Retreat and Strike
  83. Step Forward and Strike Groin
  84. Cross Sweep a Thousand Soldiers
  85. Sweeping Comet Chasing the Moon
  86. Slant Flying
  87. Twist Step, Embrace Moon
  88. Riding the Wind, Splitting the Waves
  89. Embrace Moon
  90. Turn Hand, Slice Clouds
  91. Taking the Star
  92. Retreat and Crack Tao
  93. Turn Arm and Plant Seedlings
  94. Double Strike
  95. Heart Splitting Stroke
  96. Lying Fish
  97. Slice Clouds
  98. Turn Body and Carry Basket
  99. Fast Step Slice Horse
  100. Turn Body Strike Left and Right
  101. Taking Tao From the Right
  102. Lying Tiger
  103. Turn Body and Hide Tao
  104. Heart Splitting Stroke
  105. Step Forward and Cross Tao
  106. Brush Knee and Push
  107. Withdraw Tao
  108. Conclusion of Tai Chi Tao

Wu Style Tai Chi Sword — 108 Movements

  1. Beginning of Tai Chi Sword
  2. Raise Hands
  3. Turn Body, Play Guitar
  4. Grasp Bird's Tail
  5. Turn Body, Brush Knee and Push
  6. Embrace Sword
  7. Brush Knee and Push three Times
  8. Embrace Sword
  9. Split Sword
  10. Split Sword Seven Star
  11. Lying Tiger at Door
  12. Old Lady Raise Guitar
  13. Cow Gazing at Moon
  14. Step Forward, Cover Knee
  15. Retreat and Strike
  16. Golden Needle Pointing South
  17. Step Forward and Strike to Groin
  18. Lying Tiger at Door
  19. Old Lady Raise Guitar
  20. The Big Dipper Kicks the Dipper
  21. Finger Blocking Sword
  22. Raise Whip Lying Tiger
  23. Strike at Mountain to Capture Sword
  24. White Snake Spitting Letter
  25. Turn Body and Point
  26. Old Man Pei Chopping Snake
  27. Colorful Phoenix Relaxing Feather
  28. Sword at Door
  29. Old Lady Raise Guitar
  30. The Big Dipper Kicks the Dipper
  31. Finger Blocking Sword
  32. Woodcutter Asking About Wood
  33. Between Brow Point Red
  34. Monkey Relaxing Arms
  35. Single Whip Fusing Throat
  36. Strike Groin Three Sword
  37. Sword at Door
  38. Boat Man Moving the Oar
  39. Push Boat with the Stream
  40. Woodcutter Asking About Wood
  41. Fair Lady Throws Needle
  42. White Dragon Turns Body
  43. Woodcutter Asking About Wood
  44. Fair Lady Throws Needle
  45. Sea Bottom Capturing Fish
  46. The Big Dipper Raises Pen
  47. Planting Sword Style
  48. Double Strike Sword
  49. Sword at Door
  50. Against scales Sword
  51. Sword at Door
  52. The Big Dipper Kicks the Dipper
  53. Return Horse Whip
  54. Jump Step to Plant Sword
  55. Holding Horse Before Steep Cliff
  56. King of Heaven Uplifting Pagoda
  57. Return Horse Whip
  58. Lift Whip (Right)
  59. Sword at Door
  60. Lift Whip (left)
  61. Sword at Door
  62. Slant Flying Style
  63. Step Forward and Strike Groin Sword
  64. Sword at Door
  65. Yellow Dragon Shakes Its Tail
  66. Facing Wind Flick Dust
  67. Dispel clouds to See the Sun
  68. Fallen Leaf in the Blowing Wind
  69. The Big Dipper Raises Pen
  70. Cross Sweep a Thousand Soldiers (Right)
  71. Cross Sweep a Thousand Soldiers (Left)
  72. Striking Sword Style
  73. Strike to Groin Sword
  74. Sword at Chest
  75. White Ape Return to Cave
  76. Smart Cat Catches Mouse
  77. Dragon Fly Pointing water
  78. Bottom of Elbow Sword
  79. Dispel the Cloud to See the Sun
  80. Cloud Fairy Doing Three Dances
  81. Heavenly Lady Scattering Flower
  82. Sword at Door
  83. Subtle Hand Gathering Star
  84. Left Embracing Moon
  85. Right Embracing Moon
  86. Strike Knee at Knee
  87. Colorful Phoenix Relaxing Feather
  88. Phoenix Whirlpool
  89. Fallen Flower Waiting to be Swept
  90. Lady Fairy Using a Hoe
  91. Ugly Girl Testing Water
  92. Lying Fish
  93. Reverse Hand Chop Bamboo
  94. Little Cloud Fairy Parting Hands
  95. Cloud Around Mountain Mo
  96. Clearing Grass to Search for Snake
  97. Black Dragon Shaking Its Tail
  98. Golden Cock Nodding Its Head Thrice
  99. Turn Body to Capture Tiger
  100. Facing Wind Flick Dust
  101. Dispel Cloud to See the Sun
  102. Subtle Hand Gathering Star
  103. Sword at Door
  104. Chicken Running Through the Wood
  105. Lee Kwong Shooting Rock
  106. Hooking Double
  107. Brush Knee and Push
  108. Conclusion of Tai Chi Sword

Hand Forms — Northern School (Wang Mao Zhai Square Frame)

The Northern school keeps the square frame (fang jia) that trains precise directions before the movements round into circles. Its traditional set counts 83 movements; the 45-form is its modern competition set.

The 83-Form Square Frame

Section 1–27

  1. Beginning of Tai Chi Chuan
  2. Grasp Bird's Tail
  3. Diagonal Single Whip
  4. Raise Hands
  5. White Crane Spreads Wings
  6. Brush Knee and Twist Step
  7. Play Guitar
  8. Step Forward, Parry and Punch
  9. Apparent Close Up
  10. Cross Hands
  11. Carry Tiger to the Mountain
  12. Grasp Bird's Tail, Palms Together
  13. Diagonal Single Whip
  14. Fist Under Elbow
  15. Step Back and Repulse Monkey
  16. Slant Flying
  17. Raise Hands
  18. White Crane Spreads Wings
  19. Brush Knee and Twist Step
  20. Needle at Sea Bottom
  21. Fan Through the Back
  22. Turn Body and Strike Fist to Back
  23. Retreat Step, Parry and Punch
  24. Step Forward, Grasp Bird's Tail
  25. Single Whip
  26. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
  27. Single Whip

Section 28–52

  1. High Pat on Horse
  2. Separate Foot, Left & Right
  3. Turn Body, Kick with Heel
  4. Brush Knee and Twist Step
  5. Step Forward and Plant Fist
  6. Turn Body, Strike Fist to Back
  7. Step Forward, High Pat on Horse
  8. Lean Back, Kick with Heel
  9. Strike the Tiger
  10. Turn Body, Kick with Right Heel
  11. Strike the Ears with Both Fists
  12. Turn Body, Kick with Heel
  13. Brush Knee and Twist Step
  14. Parry and Punch
  15. Apparent Close Up
  16. Cross Hands
  17. Carry Tiger to the Mountain
  18. Palm Through, Grasp Bird's Tail
  19. Diagonal Single Whip
  20. Wild Horse Splits Its Mane
  21. Fair Lady Works at Shuttle
  22. Step Forward, Grasp Bird's Tail
  23. Single Whip
  24. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
  25. Diagonal Single Whip

Section 53–66

  1. Snake Creeps Down
  2. Golden Cock on One Leg
  3. Step Back and Repulse Monkey
  4. Slant Flying
  5. Raise Hands
  6. White Crane Spreads Wings
  7. Needle at Sea Bottom
  8. Fan Through the Back
  9. Turn Body, Strike Fist to Back
  10. Step Forward, Parry and Punch
  11. Step Forward, Grasp Bird's Tail
  12. Single Whip
  13. Wave Hands Like a Cloud
  14. Single Whip

Section 67–83

  1. Slap Face with Palm
  2. Single Lotus Kick
  3. Brush Knee, Punch to Crotch
  4. Step Forward, Grasp Bird's Tail
  5. Diagonal Single Whip
  6. Snake Creeps Down
  7. Step Forward Seven Stars
  8. Step Back, Ride the Tiger
  9. Turn Body, Slap Face with Palm
  10. Turn Body, Double Lotus Kick
  11. Bend the Bow, Shoot the Tiger
  12. Step Forward, Twisting-Silk Punch
  13. Grasp Bird's Tail
  14. Turn Body, Single Whip
  15. Step Forward, Grasp Bird's Tail with Palms Together
  16. Single Whip
  17. Conclusion of Tai Chi Chuan

The 45-Form Competition Set

Section 1–14

  1. The Beginning
  2. Grasp Bird's Tail (Right)
  3. Single Whip (Left)
  4. Raise Hands
  5. White Crane Spreads Wings
  6. Brush Knee and Twist Step (Left & Right)
  7. Play Guitar
  8. Step Forward, Parry and Punch
  9. Apparent Close Up
  10. Cross Hands
  11. Grasp Bird's Tail (Left)
  12. Single Whip (Right)
  13. Snake Creeps Down (Right)
  14. Golden Cock on One Leg

Section 15–21

  1. Step Back and Repulse Monkey (Left & Right)
  2. Needle at Sea Bottom (Right)
  3. Fan Through the Back (Left)
  4. Turn Body, Strike Fist to Back
  5. Fist Under Elbow
  6. Wild Horse Splits Its Mane (Left & Right)
  7. Fair Lady Works at Shuttle

Section 22–30

  1. Wave Hands Like Clouds (Left)
  2. High Pat on Horse (Right)
  3. Separate Foot (Right)
  4. Separate Foot (Left)
  5. Strike the Tiger (Left & Right)
  6. Kick with Right Heel
  7. Strike the Ears with Both Fists
  8. Slant Flying
  9. Slap Face with Palm (Right)

Section 31–45

  1. Crossed Lotus Kick
  2. Brush Knee, Plant Fist (Left)
  3. Needle at Sea Bottom (Left)
  4. Fan Through the Back (Right)
  5. Wave Hands Like Clouds (Right)
  6. High Pat on Horse (Left)
  7. Turn Body, Punch to Crotch
  8. Snake Creeps Down (Left)
  9. Step Forward Seven Stars
  10. Step Back, Ride the Tiger
  11. Slap Face with Palm (Left)
  12. Turn Body, Lotus Kick
  13. Bend the Bow, Shoot the Tiger
  14. Step Back, Parry and Punch
  15. The Conclusion

Push Hands Techniques

Push hands (tui shou) trains the thirteen core techniques: the eight energies of Peng (Ward Off), Lu (Roll Back), Ji (Press), An (Push), Cai (Pull), Lie (Split), Zhou (Elbow), and Kao (Shoulder), combined with the five steps of advance, retreat, left side, right side, and central stability. Academy students begin with fixed-step push hands in the four directions and four corners, then progress to single-hand listening practice, moving-step push hands, and the four applications of issuing, seizing, striking, and neutralizing. The weapons work extends the same principles: the sabre teaches compact, decisive power, the sword extends intent to the blade tip, and the spear and sticking pole train whole-body connection at long range.

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