The True History Associated With The 42 Step Variety (Competition Form) Of T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan)

It is the conventional Wushu (Chinese martial arts) competition form that combines motions utilized by the Yang, Wu, Chen, and Sun types of classic T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan). It was developed principally by grandmaster Li De Yin in 1989 together with members of the Chinese Sports Committee. The Taichi 42 Step Form might have been belittled as a hybrid, combining styles which work with very different dynamics and movement signatures. Of course, it might be made to seem very beautiful when executed for competitions and presentations. For coaching T'ai chi as a martial-art or for health advantages, it is better to adhere to a traditional form.

At the 11th Asian Games in 1990, Wushu was integrated as an element for competition for the first time with the Taichi 42 Step Form being picked to depict T'ai Chi.

It was also the official form in the 2008 Olympics Games, held in China. This might be viewed as diplomatic compromise as the form is dependant on all four main T'ai Chi styles. The 42 Step Form is by itself a condensed version of the 48 Step Form, and it is centered primarily on the 48. One of the primary differences is the fact that where there are 3 reps in the 48 Step Form, the 42 Step Form has only 2 reps.

It starts with section two 'Grasp Sparrows Tail', right after the section one Commencing Form. The 2nd segment begins with the Sun style's Section eleven 'Opening and Closing'; besides this being the most characteristic movement of the Sun style, you'll find it represents the significance of Qigong inside the set. Near to the end of this section, the very first climax appears using the Form segment seventeen 'Cover with Hand' and 'Punch with Fist' and segment eighteen 'Parting Wild Horse's Mane' from the more vigorous Chen style.

Section three begins with Form 19 'Waving Hands Like Clouds', a slower and much easier motion to split up the intensity, then to harder actions to prepare for the following. The 2nd climax begins with the 4th segment by the motions such as Form thirty-two 'Body Thrust with Half Horse Stance', Form section thirty-three 'Turn Body with Full Roll-Back' and section thirty-four 'Hold and Punch in Crossed Squatting Stance'. Next logically the winding down will come in to wind up with another 'Grasp Sparrows Tail' on the other hand.

Section 11 'Opening and closing of Hands', Form 12 'Single Whip', section 14 'Turn Body and Push Palm' are Sun style. They may be characterized by flowing motion, like water in a stream, much Qigong (Chi Gong) practice for example segment eleven, and anytime one foot is moving forward or backward the opposite foot follows. Disciples of Yang style will see the substantial difference of section twelve in Sun and also the Yang styles.

Section seventeen 'Cover with Hand' and 'Punch with Fist', section eighteen 'Parting Wild Horse's Mane' and section 32 'Body Thrust with Half Horse Stance' are Chen Style. Chen is described as being much more vigorous, containing attacking motions and a lot more evident self-defence application. Punching movements are frequent in Chen style.

Section 20 'Step Back to Subdue Tiger', segment 21 'Kicking with Toes Forward', Section 34: 'Hold and Punch in Crossed Squatting Stance', and segment thirty five 'Thread Palm' and 'Lowering Movements' are Wu style, which is classified by close-to-body movements and nimble steps.

One of the fundamental criticisms of competition style T'ai chi, whichever variety is employed, is the fact that there is far too much emphasis on flowery overstated actions and that the form must be executed too rapidly, normally 6 minutes, so the energy is incorrect, and rooting skills aren't apparent.

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