To take root in the soil, lower our center of gravity, concentrate on the so called Dan Tian, or the low abdomen, align the body, breath in a calm and deep manner are the premises shared by all styles of TJQ. Taiji Quan is an internal martial art of Taoist origin. It means that in the course of its practice every student should make every effort to put into practice that Taoist philosophy that stresses the importance of remaining soft, as well as the importance of the emptiness.... See related aphorism...
All above stated without forgetting that in addition it must be effective as self defense, as we
always bear in mind that it is a martial art. From the reading of the so called “classics” of TJQ such as Daodejing, the Yijing (the Book of the Changes), the Sunzi Bing Fa, (The art of War) among others, there stems this kind of thoughts:
Yi Jing Zhi Dong “With quietness movement is halted”
Yi Rou Ke Gang “Softness overrules rigidity”
Yi Man Sheng Kuai “With slowness quickness is defeated”

Several authors of books on Taiji Quan believe in this legend: Thus in this art every master, according to their capacity of comprehension, have provided us from the beginning with their interpretation of what a correct position must be, or they open our eyes when showing us how to work that Yin Yang in our body in the different positions of the form, as well as throughout the movement, and of course in the relationship with the others.
For example that is the case of Yang Cheng Fu. Next you can download “The Ten Essential
Principles of Tai Chi Chuan” dictated by Yang Cheng-Fu, written by Chen Wei-Ming.
Download PDF...
Here you can download a translation from English of an interview to Liu Jifa where he speaks
about the “Training and use of Dantian”. Download PDF...
An interview to Ma Jiangbao “Tuiji Yuanli”, “Principles of the Wu of TJQ style”, (son of Ma Yueliang). Download PDF...
Also extracted from “ Taijiquan – The art of Harmony” from Zheng Manqing. Download PDF...