Sixteen Core Principles of Tai Chi Chuan

I. Body Mechanics: Movement as Fluid as Clouds and Water (4 Points)
1. Gentle and Slow: Movements should flow like clouds and water, with a steady pace; avoid abrupt or jerky movements.

2. Relaxed and Intentional: Muscles and joints should be naturally relaxed; use “intention, not force”; avoid tension.

3. Cat-like Footwork: Steps should be light, agile, and slow, achieving the state of “feet leaving the ground without touching the dust.”

4. Power as Fine as Silk: Movements should be delicate and sustained, like a silkworm spinning silk; avoid stiff or forced exertion.

II. Philosophy: Heaven is Round, Earth is Square (4 Points)
5. Balance of Yin and Yang: Attack and defense, hardness and softness, and advance and retreat should correspond with one another, emulating nature.

6. Seeking Straightness Within Curves: Store power as if drawing a bow (curved), release power as if shooting an arrow (straight); do not fully extend.

7. The Mutual Complementarity of Square and Round: Use “square” (linear) movements for advancement, and “round” (curved) movements for retreat.

8. Holistic Coordination: Whether internally or externally, above or below, the body’s transitions between square and round must be seamless and unified.

III. Breathing: Calm Breath, Focused Mind (4 Key Points)
9. Natural Breathing: Follow the body’s natural rhythm; neither exert excessive force nor hold your breath.

10. Steady Breath: Maintain even breathing to prevent qi from rising upward, which can cause chest tightness and loss of balance.

11. Full Abdomen: Allow the breath to settle naturally; avoid forcing or straining to “press qi into the dantian.”

12. Seeking Stillness in Movement: Maintain the harmony and tranquility of your inner breath amidst physical movement.

IV. Mind and Spirit: Unity of Body and Mind (4 Key Points)
13. Calming the Mind and Focusing the Spirit: Eliminate distracting thoughts, internalize your spirit, and project an outward sense of ease.

14. Single-Minded Focus: Maintain a steady state of mind, keep your intent highly concentrated, and prevent your energy from becoming scattered.

15. Forgetting Self and Object: During practice, clearly observe one’s mental state, return to a natural, unconscious state, and cultivate the mind through the art of boxing.

16. The Realm of Spiritual Enlightenment: Pursue the profound integration of body, mind, breath, and spirit to achieve the ability to control one’s movements at will.