The Secret of Taiji Training

[Medway Tai Chi Society]

To become skilled in the martial art of Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan), students must learn and understand what are collectively known as the Taiji Classics.
The Classics are a set of documents which provide insight from the founders and past masters as to how Tai Chi should be practiced.

Below I have copied one of the Classics, maybe it will spark a discussion and we can all learn something.

The Thirteen Postures should not be taken lightly;
the source of the postures is in the waist.

Be mindful of the interchange between insubstantial and substantial;
The ch'i circulates throughout the body without hindrance.

Be still,
when attacked by the opponent,
be tranquil and move in stillness;
changes caused by my opponent fill him with wonder.

Study the function of each posture carefully and with deliberation;
to achieve the goal is very easy.

Pay attention to the waist at all times;
completely relax the abdomen
and the ch'i rises up.

When the tailbone is centered and straight,
the shen [spirit of vitality] goes through to the headtop.

To make the whole body light and agile
suspend the headtop.

Carefully study.

Extension and contraction, opening and closing, should be natural.

To enter the door and be shown the way,
you must be orally taught.
Practice should be uninterrupted,
and technique achieved by self study.

Speaking of the body and its function, what is the standard?

The I [mind-intent] and ch'i are king,
and the bones and muscles are the court.

Think over carefully what the final purpose is:
to lengthen life and maintain youth.

The Song consists of 140 characters;
each character is true and the meaning is complete.

If you do not study in this manner,
then you will waste your time and sigh with regret.

[Nigel]

The Thirteen Postures should not be taken lightly; the source of the postures is in the waist.

In Tai Chi Chuan, the thirteen postures mentioned in this classic are the core of the martial art. This classic gives good reference to them emphasizing the importance of the thirteen postures.

As for the second part of this line, I think it's trying to say that all techniques and stances involve the waist.

[karen]

"Be mindful of the interchange between insubstantial and substantial;
The ch'i circulates throughout the body without hindrance."

This does not require much explanation, but it means to keep the Chi (Qi) flowing in the body at all times when carrying out any movement. Chinese martial arts puts a lot of weight on Qi in the body so that shows how important it is for you. The only way you can let Qi flow in your body is to relax.

[clouddragon]

I practice Wudang Tai Chi Chuan as taught by grandmaster Cheng-Tin-Hung of Hong Kong. When a student becomes a "Men Ren" (Door person, disciple) , they are taught Tai Chi Nei Kung exercises which are the core of the system, alongside this practice one chants the Tai Chi classics. This is still the tradition within my school, an oral transmission of the art, but I am pleased the Tai Chi Classics are now available to all and are written down. However they do need translating correctly and an understanding is required both physicaly and mentally.