The 48 Forms include not only the vertical circular movements of Yang Style Taiji Quan, but also the horizontal circular movements of the traditional routines of Wu Style and Sun Style Taiji Quan. These include the single whip, the waving of hands like cloud, piercing and rubbing movements in the stroking and pushing forms, and the circular connecting movements for down-ward striking with a forward step, shuttling to the left and to the right, and the right heel kick. All these movements are circular, smooth, and well coordinated. In the footwork, the 48 Forms include the backward step and follow-up step of the Wu and Sun schools of Taiji Quan to make the footwork more flexible on the basis of the steady, light and nimble movements of the Yang Style. In forming patterns, the set calls for the full extension of the parts of the body in an integrated manner. In the forms of Leaning Obliquely, Standing on One Leg to Mount Tiger, White Snake Sticks out Its Tongue, and Turning Body with Big Strokes, for example, the movements both demonstrate the characteristics of Wushu and present excellent artistic patterns.
