Build upon the basics

Beginners must first place more emphasis on the "physical shape" and less on "mind intent". First achieve "physical likeness", then work on "spiritual quality".
 

As in learning to write with the brush, the writing should be practised first in regular strokes. When the shape and structure of the strokes are correct and standard, then only progress to practise for instance, "reverse in and flat out", "close the stroke by concealing the point" techniques. The next stage may be progression to running script and cursive script. Practise diligently and constantly until the brush is used freely and spontaneously whilst functioning within the rule of writing. 
 

Grasp the fundamental rules of Taijiquan, and you will always maintain the correct posture and structure even in complex movements. Building upon the basics probe further to understand the intended meaning of postures and movements. Correctly grasp the underlying principle. Embody coordination of different parts. Pay attention to timing and rhythm. Demonstrate the unique characteristics of the art. Express the spirit. Improve the standard of training. Learn to train the "jin". Don't emphasise one thing at the expense of the other.

 

Making positive progress

Don't isolate yourself when you are learning Taijiquan. Observe how other people train and what they do.In the early stages of your practice you may like the 'look' of a person but may not be able to say exactly what is good or right about the form. You may be impressed with the superficial and obvious kicks, punches and low stances. This is because you don't sufficiently know and understand the principle of the system. In time, your understanding and perception increases and gradually you will have your own realisation. You will see the less apparent subtleties and nuances that underscore each execution. You will be able to be selective about what to watch and to be able to articulate your views in a constructive way. It means that you have made positive progress. Assess what you see and use it as a mirror. Learn and draw from the good. Regard mistakes as your own and make sure you don't repeat them.

The key to progress is "training" and "realisation". There is no shortcut. Follow and train according to the underlying principles. Combine theory with practice to get the correct result. To learn the movements of a form is easy, to do it correctly is not. Study the foundation form thoroughly and all other forms will stay within principle. Once the rules and principle are realised, they will be clearly manifested in all movements and postures.

Although there's the saying "practise ten thousand times and the reason will become clear", you have to have a basis from which to train. Train regularly and logically. Otherwise, it's a lot of effort for little result. Wang Zongyue's theory on Taijiquan states: "A slight deviation leads to huge error. The learner must be able to differentiate". Be guided by a good teacher. In the absence of your teacher, consult with your contemporaries.

"Balance is the Foundation of Life"

The root of traditional Taijiquan is martial arts. However it is equally valued for its capabilities for maintaining health, increasing fitness, promoting healing, enabling mental clarity and calmness, enhancing wellbeing, relieving stress, providing mental stimulation and physical challenges etc.

The most fundamental requirement for a person to maintain an acceptable state of physical and mental health is to realise the dynamic balance of three aspects - balance of physical activity and inactivity; balance of mental tension and relaxation; balance of exertion and recuperation.  Hence the old Chinese adage: "Balance is the foundation of Life".

 

 Taijiquan is all about balance.  It emphasises coordination, coexistence, alternation, symmetry,  integration etc - Yin and Yang principle in all of its aspects.  To create an integrated system by which the human body can self-regulate in order to achieve a state of dynamic balance.

Taijiquan has a positive role in regulating and influencing the eight major systems of the body,  namely, the skeletal system, the nervous system, the circulatory system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the urinary system, the endocrine system, and the reproductive system. The characteristic regulatory role is the combination and interaction of internal and external aspects of the body - the external prompts the internal; the inside synchronises with the outside, influencing each other.   "The mutual aspects of Yin and Yang is the root of all things".

Taijiquan and Chinese classical philosophy

"Taijiquan has directly, boldly and openly drawn nourishment from Chinese classical philosophy,and comprehensively transplanted philosophical discourses. Two conditions made this possible. Firstly, Chinese classical philosophy itself is a study of the harmony of human and nature, and the examination of the development and relationships of yin and yang opposites and changes within the relationships. It is a systematic, holistic perspective that is a perfect fit for Taijiqu...an philosophy and therefore provides an ideal foundation. Secondly, in its developmental process it went through a series of "selection" and "cultivation" by martial arts exponents. The practical elements of the theories are carefully positioned and matched with actual practice, removing illusory "abstruse" theories, to enable the transition from "philosophical theory" to "martial theories". The end result is a martial art where every posture and technique is supported by a philosophical root, and each martial theory and philosophy can be implemented in action. When one reads a 'Taijiquan Treaties' it's often hard to say whether it is a martial arts theory or a philosophical statement. In fact, it is a combination of the two. If you do not appreciate the connotation of these wisdom in your undertaking of taijiquan practice, then it is a great pity" 

                                    ~Yu Gongbao, the author of the world's first dictionary of Taijiquan~

The philosophy and methodology of Taijiquan

The philosophy and methodology of Taijiquan are often misunderstood and misinterpreted. A very important reason for this is because the basic behaviour of Taijiquan is a violation of our innate human instinct and is contrary to normal thinking. It requires the application of 'reverse thinking' in order to fully understand its concept. If we are able and willing to alter our innate human instinct beyond the 'normal' mode of thinking, then the difficulty of taijiquan is li...ke the Chinese saying "breaking through paper window". The ease of eliminating the barrier to learning depends on the amount of time and the willingness to engage in changing your thinking processes. Until then Taijiquan is complex and difficult and even impossible to learn. So what is the most difficult aspect of Taijiquan? The best answer is in Lao Zi's Daodejing Chapter 41- that explains that "contradiction is the dynamic expression of the law of nature". Taijiquan is a typical example of contradictory dialectics: its fundamental principles exist in contradictions and paradoxes and if they are not viewed as a dialectical unity - if you insist that a circle is a circle, a straight line is a straight line, that what are opposites can never be reconciled or that they cannot complement each other - then the theory of Taijiquan will not become clear. Based on that Taijiquan can be easy to learn and at the same time most difficult to learn.

Essence of Taijiquan

Because part of the underpinning culture of Taijiquan consists of Daoist principles, its internal methods are often expressed with the language and process borrowed from Daoist cultivation practices. In general Taijiquan consists of taiji frame and taiji skill. Taiji frame refers to its external shapes and movements and taiji skill refers to its internal training of mind focus and intention. In addition to these there is also the important taiji ethics and its cultivation. True Taijiquan should include these three aspects. If any one of these three aspects is neglected it is an indication that one has not fully understood or grasped the essence of Taijiquan. If Taijiquan frame is without the mental aspect it is a hollow form devoid of the inner feeling of spirit, intent and energy that is only experienced when internal skills have been internalised through practice; internal skills without the forms and movements is to deprive them of the substantial vehicle of expression and manifestation. The external form is the Yang and the internal skill the Yin of Taijiquan.

Taijiquan's internal mental training

Taijiquan's internal mental training mainly trains the spirit, the mind intention, the energetic quality and the state of the body. It is neither an easy task nor is it a casual pursuit. Through a disciplined process of mental and physical adjustments, it enables the conscious state (for focus and intention) and the physiological state (for movements and actions ) to progress from the chaos of a chattering mind and scattered thoughts to enter a state of quietness and focused consciousness, where blood and qi flow unobstructed and the physical body becomes free of tension and stiffness. How can this be achieved? First and foremost, the acceptance that it is a long-term cultivation of the body and mind. Amend, modify, repair the physical and mental states that do not meet the requirement of taijiquan principles. Cultivate, nurture, breed the mental and physical requirement that are in accordance to Taijiquan principles. Implement these processes at all times without exception. The physical and psychological adjustment is the prerequisite for internal mental cultivation.