Cheng Man-ch'ing (Zheng Manqing) Yang 鄭子太極拳
A 37-posture short form based on Yang Chengfu's teaching, with 'beautiful lady's wrist', soft relaxation and Daoist / TCM emphasis. Hugely influential in the USA and Taiwan.
Lineage
Yang Chengfu → Cheng Man-ch'ing → students such as William C. C. Chen, Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo, Robert W. Smith, Ed Young, Tam Gibbs.
For health & mobility
Very approachable short form for beginners; good bridge to seated tai chi.
Forms
- Cheng Man-ch'ing 37-Posture Short Form 鄭子太極拳三十七式
Cheng Man-ch'ing counted 37 named postures; repeated movements done in between are shown as notes. Numbering follows Qialance's posture list and agrees with the Michigan State University tai chi club list.
Quick facts
| Founder | Cheng Man-ch'ing (1902–1975) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Taiwan; New York City (1964) |
| Era | 1940s |
How Cheng Man-ch'ing (Zheng Manqing) Yang performs key movements
| Movement | Cheng Man-ch'ing (Zheng Manqing) Yang version |
|---|---|
| Preparation / Wuji Stance | Feet together, then step left to shoulder width. |
| Commencing Form (Raise Hands) | Even, gentle rise to shoulder height, press down to hip level. |
| Grasp the Bird's Tail | Large, round, with clear weight shifts for each of the four energies; done left (ward-off only) and right (full sequence). |
| Ward Off (Peng) | Left ward-off opens Grasp Bird's Tail. |
| Lazy About Tying Coat | Equivalent ideas appear inside Grasp Bird's Tail. |
| Single Whip | Bow stance, left palm pushes forward-left; most repeated posture of the 103 form. |
| White Crane Spreads Its Wings | Empty stance, right hand above forehead, left hand by hip. |
| Brush Knee and Push (Twist Step) | Large bow stance, repeated left-right-left. |
| Play the Lute (Hand Strums the Pipa) | Heel stance, left hand at nose height. |
| Step Forward, Deflect, Parry and Punch | Loose vertical fist, three steps. |
| Apparent Close Up (Withdraw and Push) | Withdraw and push, 'as if sealing, as if closing'. |
| Cross Hands | Ends each section of the long form. |
| Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain | Starts sections two and three. |
| Fist Under Elbow | Empty stance after a turning step. |
| Step Back and Repulse Monkey | 3 or 5 repetitions stepping straight back. |
| Diagonal Flying (Slant Flying) | Opens upward to the right corner. |
| Raise Hands and Step Up | Mirror image of Play the Lute. |
| Needle at Sea Bottom | Upper body leans with a straight spine. |
| Fan Through the Back | Bow stance facing forward. |
| Turn Body and Chop with Fist | Followed by Deflect, Parry, Punch. |
| Cloud Hands (Wave Hands Like Clouds) | Side steps, waist leads, 3 or 5 repetitions. |
| High Pat on Horse | Empty stance, palm at head height. |
| Separate Foot (Toe Kick) | Slow, controlled kick at waist height. |
| Heel Kick (Kick with Heel) | Turn and kick left / right with heel. |
| Strike Opponent's Ears with Both Fists | Fists about a head-width apart. |
| Step Forward and Punch Down | Bow stance, fist toward knee level. |
| Strike the Tiger | Left and right versions. |
| Part the Wild Horse's Mane | Three repetitions in the long form; opens the 24 form. |
| Fair Lady Works the Shuttles | Four corners in the long form, two in the 24 form. |
| Snake Creeps Down (Single Whip Squat) | Deep crouch; many practitioners use a higher version. |
| Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg | Left and right after Snake Creeps Down. |
| Step Forward to Seven Stars | Crossed fists, empty stance. |
| Retreat to Ride the Tiger | Opens arms like White Crane. |
| Turn Body and Sweep Lotus | Full turn then outside crescent kick. |
| Bend the Bow to Shoot the Tiger | Fists at temple and chest height. |
| Closing Form | Close Tai Ji – return to the starting spot. |
| Hook Hand | Right hand hook in Single Whip. |
| Shoulder Stroke (Kao) | 'Shoulder Stroke' in the old long form. |
| Step Forward and Punch Groin | Old long form. |
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