Genius Asian Tai Chi 108 steps form Taiji 108 forms
Tai Chi 108 Steps Form (Taiji 108 Forms) Led by Master Ke Yuan
What This Video Shows
In this video, Master Ke Yuan demonstrates the complete Tai Chi 108 Steps Form, the traditional long form of Yang-style tai chi. This is the full-length routine that the simplified 24 Form was derived from, and performing it takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Every transition, every weight shift, and every hand position is visible, making this an excellent practice-along resource for students at all levels.
Why This Matters
The 108 Form is the backbone of Yang-style tai chi. While the 24 Form gives you a taste of tai chi principles, the 108 Form is where you truly develop the depth of practice that transforms tai chi from gentle exercise into a genuine internal art. The longer sequence means more repetition of fundamental movements, more opportunities to develop flow between postures, and a far more meditative experience overall.
What Makes It Different from the 24 Form
Many movements that appear once in the 24 Form are repeated three times in the 108 Form, once to each side and once more for deeper reinforcement. This repetition is not filler. Each time through gives you a chance to go deeper into the movement, refine your alignment, and explore different layers of the posture. The longer duration also changes the physical and mental experience significantly. Twenty-five minutes of continuous focused movement builds genuine muscular endurance, trains sustained mental concentration, and creates a deeper meditative state. By the end of the 108 Form, many practitioners report feeling both physically energized and profoundly calm at the same time.
The Three Sections
The 108 Form is traditionally divided into three major sections. The first section introduces foundational movements like Grasp Sparrow Tail, Single Whip, and Brush Knee and Twist Step. These are the building blocks that everything else is built upon. The second section adds more complex movements including kicks, deeper stances, and techniques that reveal the martial applications hidden within the graceful movements. The third section builds on everything before it and includes some of the most challenging postures in all of tai chi, like Snake Creeps Down and Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg.
Health and Martial Benefits
From a health perspective, the 108 Form provides a thorough full-body workout disguised as gentle flowing movement. The sustained low stances build real leg strength. The continuous arm movements improve shoulder mobility and reduce stiffness. The constant weight shifting from one leg to the other develops balance and proprioception. The deep rhythmic breathing that accompanies the movements oxygenates the blood and calms the nervous system. From a martial perspective, every single posture in the 108 Form has one or more combat applications built into it, including strikes, joint locks, throws, and evasive footwork.
Quick Tips for Learning the 108 Form
Master the 24 Form first. The 24 Form teaches you the basic vocabulary of tai chi movement. Trying to learn the 108 Form without that foundation is like trying to read a novel before you have learned the alphabet.
Learn one section at a time. Spend several weeks on each of the three sections before attempting to connect them together. Rushing through leads to sloppy habits that become very hard to correct later.
Use this video as a practice mirror. Follow along with Master Ke Yuan’s demonstration. Pause the video when you need to study a particular transition. Rewind and repeat sections that give you trouble. There is no shame in watching the same segment twenty times.
Do not rush the form. The 108 Form should feel unhurried and meditative. If you finish it in less than 18 minutes, you are almost certainly moving too fast. Let each movement unfold completely before transitioning to the next one.
Practice outdoors when possible. Performing the 108 Form in a park or garden enhances the experience. Fresh air, natural sounds, and open space complement the meditative quality of the practice beautifully.
Continue Your Tai Chi Journey
If you are just getting started with tai chi, begin with the 24 Steps Form before tackling the 108 Form. For complementary internal arts practice, the 8 Section Brocade Qigong is an excellent warm-up routine that prepares your body for the demands of the longer form. Together, these practices create a comprehensive program for health, relaxation, and internal martial arts development.