The first 17 moves make a natural first block because the end of the 17th move is a natural place to return to the opening position.
| 1 | Opening of Tai Ji | 太 極 起 式 |
| 2 | Left grasp bird’s tail | 左 攬 雀 尾 |
| 3 | Grasp bird’s tail | 攬 雀 尾 |
| 4 | Whip to one side (“Single whip”) | 單 鞭 |
| 5 | Step up, raise hands | 提 手 上 勢 |
| 6 | White crane cools wings | 白 鶴 涼 翅 |
| 7 | Brush knee (left) | 摟 膝 (左) |
| 8 | Strum the pei-pa | 手 揮 琵 琶 |
| 9 | Brush knee, twist step (left) | 摟 膝 坳 步 (左) |
| 10 | Brush knee, twist step (right) | 摟 膝 坳 步 (右) |
| 11 | Brush knee (left) | 摟 膝 (左) |
| 12 | Strum the pei-pa | 手 揮 琵 琶 |
| 13 | Brush knee, twist step (right) | 摟 膝 坳 步 (右) |
| 14 | Chop with fist | 撇 身 捶 |
| 15 | Step up, deflect, parry, punch | 進 步 搬 攔 捶 |
| 16 | Appear to close entrance | 如 封 似 閉 |
| 17 | Cross hands | 十 字 手 |
Download a pdf of the first 17 moves