What Is the Yang Style 24 Form and Why Is It So Popular?

If you’ve ever searched for a Tai Chi class or an online course, you’ve almost certainly come across the “24 form.” It’s the most widely practiced Tai Chi sequence on the planet, taught in parks, studios, hospitals, and living rooms across the globe. It’s also the form we teach at SOHMA. But what exactly is it, where did it come from, and why has it become so beloved by beginners and lifelong practitioners alike? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is the Yang Style 24 Form?

The Yang style 24 form, also called the Simplified 24 form or Simplified Tai Chi, is a sequence of 24 flowing movements based on the traditional Yang style of Tai Chi Chuan. It’s a complete, self-contained routine that typically takes about five to six minutes to perform slowly from beginning to end.

The word “simplified” doesn’t mean watered down. It means the form was thoughtfully streamlined: the most essential and representative movements of the much longer traditional Yang form were selected and arranged into a shorter sequence that’s easier to learn, while still teaching authentic Tai Chi principles.

A Short History of the 24 Form

The Simplified 24 form was created in 1956 by a group of Tai Chi masters organized by China’s national sports authority. Their goal was both practical and generous: to make Tai Chi more accessible to the general public. The traditional forms, while magnificent, could take a very long time to learn, sometimes years just to memorize the sequence. By distilling the Yang style into 24 key movements, the masters created an on-ramp that ordinary people could learn in a matter of months.

The result was a runaway success. The 24 form spread across China and then the world, becoming the single most practiced Tai Chi routine in existence and introducing countless millions of people to the art.

Why the Yang Style?

Of the major Tai Chi styles, Yang style is the most popular worldwide, and it’s easy to see why it was chosen as the basis for a form meant for everyone. Yang style is characterized by:

• Slow, even, graceful movements performed at a steady tempo.
• Large, open, expansive postures that are relatively easy to see and follow.
• Gentleness on the body, with no jumping, stamping, or sudden bursts of force in the standard practice.

This makes Yang style especially welcoming for beginners, older adults, and anyone seeking a calm, health-focused practice.

Why the 24 Form Is So Popular

Several qualities have made the 24 form the world’s go-to Tai Chi sequence: It’s approachable. With 24 movements rather than 80 or 100+, it’s realistic to learn within a few months, which keeps beginners motivated instead of overwhelmed.

It’s complete. Despite being “simplified,” it contains a rich variety of movements, including shifting weight, turning the waist, stepping, balancing on one leg, and coordinating the arms, so it develops genuine Tai Chi skill.

It’s short and repeatable. Because a full round takes only about five to six minutes, it fits easily into daily life, whatever your ideal daily practice length turns out to be. You can flow through it once as a quick practice or several times for a longer session.

It’s a foundation for everything else. The principles and movements you learn in the 24 form transfer directly to longer forms, weapons forms, and deeper internal work. It’s the doorway to a lifetime of practice.

It’s backed by research. Because it’s so widely taught, the 24 form and Yang style more broadly feature in a great deal of health research, including studies on balance and fall prevention, where Yang style has shown particularly strong benefits for older adults.

What You’ll Experience Learning It

Learning the 24 form is a gradual, rewarding process. You’ll start with the fundamentals of posture and breathing, then add movements one at a time, often beginning with the gentle “Commencement” and early sequences like “Parting the Wild Horse’s Mane.” Over a few months of steady practice, these individual movements link together into one flowing, continuous sequence, and the first time you perform the whole form from memory is a genuinely satisfying milestone.

Common Questions About the Yang Style 24 Form

How long does it take to learn the 24 form? With consistent practice a few times a week, most people can perform the full sequence from memory within three to six months, then continue refining its quality for much longer. (See our full guide on how long it takes to learn Tai Chi.)

Is the 24 form good for beginners? Yes, it was specifically designed to make Tai Chi accessible to beginners while still teaching authentic principles. It’s one of the best possible starting points.

How long does it take to perform the 24 form? Done slowly and correctly, a single round takes roughly five to six minutes from start to finish.

Is the 24 form “real” Tai Chi? Absolutely. It’s a genuine, authentic sequence based on traditional Yang style, simplified in length, not in substance.

What’s the difference between the 24 form and the 108 form? The 108 (or long) form is the traditional, extended Yang sequence with many more movements and repetitions. The 24 form is a shorter, streamlined selection of essential movements, making it far quicker to learn.

Learn the Yang Style 24 Form with Tai Chi Mastery

The 24 form is the perfect place to begin your Tai Chi journey, and the best way to learn it is step by step, under expert guidance. Tai Chi Mastery is SOHMA’s online membership that teaches you the complete Yang style 24 form from your very first movement, guided by Chief Instructor Dr. Daniel Hoover.

With clear, sequential, follow-along lessons you can practice and replay anytime, you’ll build the form correctly and confidently, one movement at a time. Explore the Tai Chi Mastery membership and learn the 24 form today.

About Dr. Daniel Hoover

Dr. Daniel Hoover, DC, LAc, MH, CCSP®, integrates a rare fusion of clinical expertise and martial mastery to elevate the health of his patients and students. As a Doctor of Chiropractic, Licensed Acupuncturist, and 5th degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo, Dr. Hoover serves as the Chief Tai Chi Chuan instructor at the School of Healing Martial Arts™. His journey as an Ironman and Master Herbalist informs his unique understanding of how the body thrives under disciplined practice. To expand his impact beyond the local clinic, Dr. Hoover developed online Tai Chi courses, making these traditional healing arts accessible for any wellness journey. If you are ready to begin, we invite you to explore Tai Chi Mastery under the expert guidance of Dr. Daniel Hoover.