YANG STYLE TAI CHI. WHAT IS THE POINT?

Yang Sau listed thirteen points (principles) regards Taijiquan. Below these principles are sorted according to similarity to the Ni e-yeh (about 600 B.C.), ), the Yin Yang School (from 300 B.C), and those principles that seem unique to Taiji since the 1700s A.D. Nie-ye ( Circe 600 B.C) Is considered by some to be the Original Tao or a germinal Tao DE Jing. Ideas or concepts from Nie-ye: vital essence.......concentrated as though you could be roped together with it. the ruling principle is to be tranquil. harmony make your thoughts tranquil cultivate the mind and align the body mind within the mind.....after awareness....before words Similar Yang Sau Points Seek stillness in movement; calmness close to what is meant by stillness An intangible energy (think attention) lifts the crown of the head; Intention and qi interact; Movement and stillness are united; Use mind intent, not strength; relax The qi (think attention) sinks to the dantian; about two inches below the navel Inner and outer are united; relax Yin Yang School (Circe 300 B.C.) Yin and Yang. Empty and full, hot and cold, hard and soft, and pairs on and on.

Similar Yang Sau Points Distinguish empty and full: Yin and Yang

Unique to Taijiquan (Since 1700s A.D.) Sink the shoulders and drop the elbows; relax Sink the sternum and pull up the back; relax Loosen the waist and kua; think crease joining hip and pelvis; relax Upper and lower follow one another; Proceed evenly from posture to posture. To me, this chronology suggests that Taiji's roots were in early Chinese meditation practices and that movement and martial applications came later. Also, it appears that the idea of embodiment, or physicality plays a larger role as the centuries pass, especially since the 1700s. Lastly it suggests to me that the post 1700s points can more readily learned performing the set while the earlier ideas are perhaps best be first approached as meditation. Interpretation: My thought is that the center-line of our way in Taiji is to open the inner mind, the space between awareness and words. Try this idea in sitting meditation: