One of the fun parts of Tai Chi and Qigong for me is the flowery, mystical, and sometimes silly names of movements. I agree with Paul that at the end of the day the impact matters more than the trappings, but just for some fun, do you have a favorite move name you like?
Let me start, among my favorites is, Rhinoceros Gazes at the Moon. This is a turning movement that is a nice stretch and has unarmed as well as sword versions. So what do you like?
Dougie Nisbet
Yes I do like the names, and sometimes there is no connection between liking the name and liking the move. White Crane Spreads Wings, and Embrace the Tiger and Return to Mountain are the current favourites. When I studied botanical latin as part of my arboriculture I discovered I really like a lot of the scientific names, although the wonderfully exotic sounding 'Enchanters Nightshade' (Circea lutetiana) has to be one of the most underwhelming flowers you'd ever meet.
I also quite like Paul's abbreviations in the short course - I like to think they're deliberate. Monkey Studio and Wild Monkey are probably what I should be working on right now.
"Wild Goose Flying" is my favourite qigong move. A brilliant upright stretch onto the toes while spreading the arms out like an angry goose!
Tom Divney
I like "white tiger climbing to the top of the mountain" in a book by Mimi Kuo-Deemer. Another favorite, although not as mystical, is "shake the back seven times to eliminate the 100 illnesses."
Mark Osland
So many to choose from.......Grasp sparrows tail, Part wild horses mane, and what about Snake creeps down???