Importance of training fundamental skills

Many people learn Taijiquan not for its martial arts aspects but for its health and fitness benefits. As a result they neglect training the essential movement principles of Taijiquan. In fact, practising the form without training the fundamental principles reduces the health and fitness benefits of Taijiquan, usually as a result of weak musculature, impeded meridians, and disrupted flow of blood and Qi. 

Training fundamental skills enables a process of "rebirth of the body... and transformation of the bones". The body becomes tempered with continuous practice and the musculature and organs will gradually undergo qualitative change.

 The fundamental movement principles of Taijiquan as a martial art, in common with many other sports, requires the correct use of hands, eyes, body and footwork. The physical aspects of Taijiquan are often overlooked in pursuit of the "internal aspects". Without the external aspects in place, there can be very limited internal aspects, if any.