{"id":7046621,"date":"2026-08-24T22:27:52","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/alternative-medicine\/tai-chi-103-form-vs-108-form-why-the-numbers-differ\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T22:27:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:27:52","slug":"tai-chi-103-form-vs-108-form-why-the-numbers-differ","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7046621","title":{"rendered":"Tai chi 103 form vs. 108 form: why the numbers differ"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

When I started Tai Chi in 2004, I learned the long Yang form. My teacher called it the 108 form. Later, I discovered that the Yang family counts 103 moves. I found that confusing. I wondered: is there a difference between Tai Chi 103 form vs. 108 form?<\/p>\n

Quick answer: no, the 103 form and the 108 form are the same sequence of movements. Some people even count 85 moves or 150 moves<\/a>. It is not clear where 103 comes from, and 108 might be there for spiritual reasons<\/a>. It\u2019s definitely confusing.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s dive into the details. I used my own list of the 108 form<\/a> and the Yang family 103 form<\/a> to compare.<\/p>\n

\"Tai<\/a><\/figure>\n

The moves that get counted differently<\/h2>\n

Preparation and beginning<\/h3>\n

The different counting starts right at the beginning of the form. In the 103 form, Preparation and Beginning are counted separately.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
1. Y\u00f9 B\u00e8i \u2013 Preparation
2. Q\u01d0 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Beginning<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
1. Q\u01d0 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Beginning<\/p>\n

I find this surprising, because I thought the 103 form would always count less. But actually, that is not the case.<\/p>\n

Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/h3>\n

Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail itself is counted the same way in both forms, as one move made up of Ward-off, Rollback, Press, and Push. The difference sits right before it: the 108 form counts a separate Ward-off move between Beginning and Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail, which the 103 form does not count on its own.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
2. Q\u01d0 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Beginning
3. L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp the Bird\u2019s Tail<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
2. Zu\u01d2 P\u00e9ng \u2013 Ward-off (Left)
3. L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp the Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/p>\n

So even though the first moves are counted differently, both forms then continue at the same number for a while. (I added a more detailed list below).<\/p>\n

Repulse Monkey<\/h3>\n

For Repulse Monkey, there is not a difference in how the move is counted, but how often. The 103 form does Repulse Monkey 3x; in the 108 form it\u2019s 5x.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
19. Zu\u01d2 D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Left
20. Y\u00f2u D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Right
21. Zu\u01d2 D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Step Back and Repulse the Monkey, Left<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
20. Y\u00f2u D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Retreat to Repulse Monkey, Right
21. Zu\u01d2 D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Retreat to Repulse Monkey, Left
22. Y\u00f2u D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Retreat to Repulse Monkey, Right
23. Zu\u01d2 D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Retreat to Repulse Monkey, Left
24. Y\u00f2u D\u00e0o Ni\u01cen H\u00f3u \u2013 Retreat to Repulse Monkey, Right<\/p>\n

I noticed that 103 starts with left, while 108 starts with Repulse Monkey Right. That\u2019s strange. But I will think about that in another post.<\/p>\n

Cloud Hands<\/h3>\n

Strangely, in the 108 form, the Cloud Hands are counted as one, even though there are several repetitions. The 103 form counts 3 Cloud Hands.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
32. Y\u00fan Sh\u01d2u (1) \u2013 Cloud Hands (1)
33. Y\u00fan Sh\u01d2u (2) \u2013 Cloud Hands (2)
34. Y\u00fan Sh\u01d2u (3) \u2013 Cloud Hands (3)<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
35. Y\u00fan Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cloud Hands (several times)<\/p>\n

Did you know that Cloud Hands is move that repeats the most<\/a> throughout the whole 108 form?<\/p>\n

And another fun fact: someone once told me that the repetitions of Repulse Monkey should be the same as Cloud Hands. So if you do 3 Repulse Monkey, then do 3 Cloud Hands.<\/p>\n

Extra Left Brush Knee<\/h3>\n

Right before Punch Down, the 108 form counts one more Left Brush Knee than the 103 form.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
41. Y\u00f2u L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Right Brush Knee and Push
42. J\u00ecn B\u00f9 Z\u0101i Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward and Punch Down<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
42. Y\u00f2u L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Right Brush Knee and Push
43. Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee
44. J\u00ecn B\u00f9 Z\u0101i Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward and Punch Down<\/p>\n

Wild Horse\u2019s Mane<\/h3>\n

Same as Repulse Monkey, the difference here is in how often the move repeats, not how it\u2019s counted. The 103 form does Wild Horse\u2019s Mane 3x; the 108 form does it 5x. Overall it seems that 108 does more repetitions than 103.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
57. Y\u00f2u Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Right
58. Zu\u01d2 Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Left
59. Y\u00f2u Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Right<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
59. Y\u00f2u Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Right
60. Zu\u01d2 Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Left
61. Y\u00f2u Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Right
62. Zu\u01d2 Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Left
63. Y\u00f2u Y\u011b M\u01ce F\u0113n Z\u014dng \u2013 Parting Wild Horse\u2019s Mane, Right<\/p>\n

Fair Lady Works Shuttles<\/h3>\n

Again, this is a question of how to count repetitions. 103 simply asks for Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, while 108 is more specific.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
62. Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d \u2013 Fair Lady Works at Shuttles<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
67. Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d \u2013 Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (Left)
68. Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d \u2013 Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (Right)
69. Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d \u2013 Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (Left)
70. Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d \u2013 Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (Right)<\/p>\n

High Pat on Horse and Palm Thrust<\/h3>\n

Near the end of the form, the two forms split this part differently. The 103 form counts a Single Whip followed by a combined move, High Pat on Horse with Palm Thrust. The 108 form doesn\u2019t mention the Single Whip and counts High Pat on Horse and Palm Thrust as two separate moves.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
88. D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip
89. G\u0101o T\u00e0n M\u01ce Chu\u0101n Zh\u01ceng \u2013 High Pat on Horse with Palm Thrust<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
95. G\u0101o T\u00e0n M\u01ce \u2013 High Pat on Horse
96. Chu\u0101n Zh\u01ceng \u2013 Palm Thrust<\/p>\n

What I would like to add here is that the oral version is also different. For example, even though Single Whip is not mentioned in this part of the 108 form, I assume every teacher calls it out during practice.<\/p>\n

Closing<\/h3>\n

Cross Hands actually shows up three times in the form, each one closing out one of the three parts. In the 108 form, it\u2019s always just Cross Hands. In the 103 form, the first two times it\u2019s just Cross Hands too, but the very last time, at the true end of the form, it\u2019s followed by Closing and then Return to Normal.<\/p>\n

103 form<\/strong>
101. Sh\u00ed Z\u00ec Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cross Hands
102. Sh\u014du Sh\u00ec \u2013 Closing
103. Hu\u00e1n Yu\u00e1n \u2013 Return to Normal<\/p>\n

108 form<\/strong>
108. Sh\u00ed Z\u00ec Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cross Hands<\/p>\n

A detailed list of counting the form<\/h2>\n

I already showed the different moves that are counted differently. If you want to dive deeper, this is a detailed table with all the differences.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Move<\/th>\n103 form<\/th>\n108 form<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Y\u00f9 B\u00e8i \u2013 Preparation<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Q\u01d0 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Beginning<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 P\u00e9ng \u2013 Ward-off, Left<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T\u00ed Sh\u01d2u Sh\u00e0ng Sh\u00ec \u2013 Raise Hands and Step Forward<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B\u00e1i H\u00e8 Li\u00e0ng Ch\u00ec \u2013 White Crane Spreads Its Wings<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u01d2u Hu\u012b P\u00ed P\u00e1 \u2013 Hand Strums the Lute<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f2u L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Right Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n11<\/td>\n11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u01d2u Hu\u012b P\u00ed P\u00e1 \u2013 Hand Strums the Lute<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n13<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 B\u0101n L\u00e1n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Parry and Punch<\/td>\n14<\/td>\n14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
R\u00fa F\u0113ng S\u00ec B\u00ec \u2013 Apparent Close Up<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u00ed Z\u00ec Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cross Hands (1st)<\/td>\n16<\/td>\n16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B\u00e0o H\u01d4 Gu\u012b Sh\u0101n \u2013 Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain<\/td>\n17<\/td>\n17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zh\u01d2u D\u01d0 Chu\u00ed \u2013 Fist Under Elbow<\/td>\n18<\/td>\n19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n19 left<\/td>\n20 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n20 right<\/td>\n21 left<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n21 left<\/td>\n22 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n23 left<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n24 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xi\u00e9 F\u0113i Sh\u00ec \u2013 Diagonal Flying<\/td>\n22<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T\u00ed Sh\u01d2u Sh\u00e0ng Sh\u00ec \u2013 Raise Hands<\/td>\n23<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B\u00e1i H\u00e8 Li\u00e0ng Ch\u00ec \u2013 White Crane Spreads Its Wings<\/td>\n24<\/td>\n27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H\u01cei D\u01d0 Zh\u0113n \u2013 Needle at Sea Bottom<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u00e0n T\u014dng B\u00e8i \u2013 Fan Through the Back<\/td>\n27<\/td>\n30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zhu\u01cen Sh\u0113n Pi\u0113 Sh\u0113n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Turn Body, Chop with Fist<\/td>\n28<\/td>\n31<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 B\u0101n L\u00e1n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Parry and Punch<\/td>\n29<\/td>\n32<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/td>\n30<\/td>\n33<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n31<\/td>\n34<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00fan Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cloud Hands (repeated)<\/td>\n32\u201334<\/td>\n35<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n35<\/td>\n36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
G\u0101o T\u00e0n M\u01ce \u2013 High Pat on Horse<\/td>\n36<\/td>\n37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f2u F\u0113n Ji\u01ceo \u2013 Right Separation Kick<\/td>\n37<\/td>\n38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 F\u0113n Ji\u01ceo \u2013 Left Separation Kick<\/td>\n38<\/td>\n39<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zhu\u01cen Sh\u0113n Zu\u01d2 D\u0113ng Ji\u01ceo \u2013 Turn, Left Heel Kick<\/td>\n39<\/td>\n40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n40<\/td>\n41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f2u L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Right Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n41<\/td>\n42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 Z\u0101i Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Punch Down<\/td>\n42<\/td>\n44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zhu\u01cen Sh\u0113n Pi\u0113 Sh\u0113n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Turn Body, Chop with Fist<\/td>\n43<\/td>\n45<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 B\u0101n L\u00e1n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Parry and Punch<\/td>\n44<\/td>\n46<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f2u D\u0113ng Ji\u01ceo \u2013 Right Heel Kick<\/td>\n45<\/td>\n47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 D\u01ce H\u01d4 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Strike Tiger, Left<\/td>\n46<\/td>\n48<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f2u D\u01ce H\u01d4 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Strike Tiger, Right<\/td>\n47<\/td>\n49<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hu\u00ed Sh\u0113n Y\u00f2u D\u0113ng Ji\u01ceo \u2013 Turn, Right Heel Kick<\/td>\n48<\/td>\n50<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shu\u0101ng F\u0113ng Gu\u00e0n \u011ar \u2013 Twin Fists Strike Ears<\/td>\n49<\/td>\n51<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 D\u0113ng Ji\u01ceo \u2013 Left Heel Kick<\/td>\n50<\/td>\n52<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zhu\u01cen Sh\u0113n Y\u00f2u D\u0113ng Ji\u01ceo \u2013 Turn, Right Heel Kick<\/td>\n51<\/td>\n53<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 B\u0101n L\u00e1n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Parry and Punch<\/td>\n52<\/td>\n54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
R\u00fa F\u0113ng S\u00ec B\u00ec \u2013 Apparent Close Up<\/td>\n53<\/td>\n55<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u00ed Z\u00ec Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cross Hands (2nd)<\/td>\n54<\/td>\n56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B\u00e0o H\u01d4 Gu\u012b Sh\u0101n \u2013 Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain<\/td>\n55<\/td>\n57<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xi\u00e9 D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Diagonal Single Whip<\/td>\n56<\/td>\n58<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wild Horse\u2019s Mane (right)<\/td>\n57<\/td>\n59<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wild Horse\u2019s Mane (left)<\/td>\n58<\/td>\n60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wild Horse\u2019s Mane (right)<\/td>\n59<\/td>\n61<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wild Horse\u2019s Mane (left)<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n62<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Wild Horse\u2019s Mane (right)<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n63<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 P\u00e9ng \u2013 Ward-off, Left<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n64<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/td>\n60<\/td>\n65<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n61<\/td>\n66<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d \u2013 Fair Lady Works Shuttles<\/td>\n62<\/td>\n67 left<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n68 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n69 left<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f9 N\u01da Chu\u0101n Su\u014d<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n70 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 P\u00e9ng \u2013 Ward-off, Left<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n71<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/td>\n63<\/td>\n72<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n64<\/td>\n73<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00fan Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cloud Hands (repeated)<\/td>\n65\u201367<\/td>\n74<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n68<\/td>\n75<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xi\u00e0 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Snake Creeps Down<\/td>\n69<\/td>\n76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 J\u012bn J\u012b D\u00fa L\u00ec \u2013 Golden Rooster, Left<\/td>\n70<\/td>\n77<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00f2u J\u012bn J\u012b D\u00fa L\u00ec \u2013 Golden Rooster, Right<\/td>\n71<\/td>\n78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n72 left<\/td>\n79 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n73 right<\/td>\n80 left<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n74 left<\/td>\n81 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n82 left<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Repulse Monkey<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n83 right<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xi\u00e9 F\u0113i Sh\u00ec \u2013 Diagonal Flying<\/td>\n75<\/td>\n84<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T\u00ed Sh\u01d2u Sh\u00e0ng Sh\u00ec \u2013 Raise Hands<\/td>\n76<\/td>\n85<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
B\u00e1i H\u00e8 Li\u00e0ng Ch\u00ec \u2013 White Crane Spreads Its Wings<\/td>\n77<\/td>\n86<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu\u01d2 L\u014du X\u012b \u01cdo B\u00f9 \u2013 Left Brush Knee and Push<\/td>\n78<\/td>\n87<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
H\u01cei D\u01d0 Zh\u0113n \u2013 Needle at Sea Bottom<\/td>\n79<\/td>\n88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u00e0n T\u014dng B\u00e8i \u2013 Fan Through the Back<\/td>\n80<\/td>\n89<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zhu\u01cen Sh\u0113n B\u00e1i Sh\u00e9 T\u01d4 X\u00ecn \u2013 Turn, White Snake Spits Tongue<\/td>\n81<\/td>\n90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 B\u0101n L\u00e1n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Parry and Punch<\/td>\n82<\/td>\n91<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/td>\n83<\/td>\n92<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n84<\/td>\n93<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Y\u00fan Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cloud Hands (block)<\/td>\n85\u201387<\/td>\n94<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n88<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
G\u0101o T\u00e0n M\u01ce \u2013 High Pat on Horse<\/td>\n89<\/td>\n95<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chu\u0101n Zh\u01ceng \u2013 Palm Thrust<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n96<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u00ed Z\u00ec Tu\u01d0 \u2013 Cross Kick<\/td>\n90<\/td>\n97<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 Zh\u01d0 D\u0101ng Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Punch Groin<\/td>\n91<\/td>\n98<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L\u00e1n Qu\u00e8 W\u011bi \u2013 Grasp Sparrow\u2019s Tail<\/td>\n92<\/td>\n99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D\u0101n Bi\u0101n \u2013 Single Whip<\/td>\n93<\/td>\n100<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Xi\u00e0 Sh\u00ec \u2013 Snake Creeps Down<\/td>\n94<\/td>\n101<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u00e0ng B\u00f9 Q\u012b X\u012bng \u2013 Seven Stars<\/td>\n95<\/td>\n102<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tu\u00ec B\u00f9 Ku\u00e0 H\u01d4 \u2013 Step Back, Ride the Tiger<\/td>\n96<\/td>\n103<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zhu\u01cen Sh\u0113n B\u01cei Li\u00e1n \u2013 Turn, Swing Over Lotus<\/td>\n97<\/td>\n104<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
W\u0101n G\u014dng Sh\u00e8 H\u01d4 \u2013 Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger<\/td>\n98<\/td>\n105<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
J\u00ecn B\u00f9 B\u0101n L\u00e1n Chu\u00ed \u2013 Step Forward, Parry and Punch<\/td>\n99<\/td>\n106<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
R\u00fa F\u0113ng S\u00ec B\u00ec \u2013 Apparent Close Up<\/td>\n100<\/td>\n107<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u00ed Z\u00ec Sh\u01d2u \u2013 Cross Hands (3rd)<\/td>\n101<\/td>\n108<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sh\u014du Sh\u00ec \u2013 Closing<\/td>\n102<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hu\u00e1n Yu\u00e1n \u2013 Return to Normal<\/td>\n103<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Does the different counting in Tai Chi 103 form vs. 108 form actually matter?<\/h2>\n

Honestly, no. Whether you call it the 103 form or the 108 form, you are practising the same sequence of postures. The count is just a way of naming the form, not a verdict on which version is more correct or more authentic.<\/p>\n

I still call it my 108 form, because that is what my first teacher taught me and I like the nostalgia of it. If your teacher counts 103, or 85, or something else entirely, that does not mean either of you is doing it wrong. It just means someone, at some point, decided to count a Cloud Hands rep separately, or fold a Single Whip into another move.<\/p>\n

So if you ever find yourself in a room with practitioners who learned a different count than you, don\u2019t worry. As long as you all agree to run the long Yang form, you should be fine. Maybe just clarify the number of repetitions before you start.<\/p>\n

And no matter how you count, I guess there is one thing we can all agree on: it is a looooong form! And I love practicing it! <\/p>\n

Angelika<\/p>\n

If you are interested in more details about form moves, read my blogpost about the meaning of Grasp the Bird\u2019s Tail<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I started Tai Chi in 2004, I learned the long Yang form. My teacher called it the 108 form. Later, I discovered that the Yang family counts 103 moves. I found that confusing. I wondered: is there a difference between Tai Chi 103 form vs. 108 form? 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My teacher called it the 108 form. Later, I discovered that the Yang family counts 103 moves. I found that confusing. I wondered: is there a difference between Tai Chi 103 form vs. 108 form? 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