Tai Chi Chuan

Form 3. Driving the Monkey Away

Begin with a pose like holding a ball in front of your chest, bending the knees and elbows. Turn the palms facing upward. Then draw the right hand to the side of your waist and turn the waist a little to the right. Continue the turning of waist and swirling the right hand up to the side of your ear. Push the right hand forward and draw the left hand to the side of your waist while turning the waist to the left. Slightly protrude the shoulder and the center of the right palm when the palm nears the end of its path. Repeat the same movement with your left hand.

Repeat cyclically many times. Breathe in while swirling the arm and breath out while driving the hand outward. The hands should move in circular paths. Remember to relax your shoulders and drop your elbows while swirling up. Try to feel the resistance of the air with the pushing hand. You can either look forward or let your sight lead the hand that is swirling and driving out.

The Forms

General Requirements