13 Postures

Wardoff
Rollback
Push/Press
Squeeze
Pluck
Split
Elbow
Bump
Advance
Withdraw
See the left
See the right
Central equilibrium

Cross training

When I started training the internal arts of tai chi chuan, I found that my
previous experiences within external arts actually hindered my
progress.

It took a long time to lose the old habits of trying to use force
against force, strength against strength, I was so tense in the beginning.

The thought of mixing external martial arts with the internal art of tai chi and
baguazhang is counterproductive. How can you mix external with internal
when the principles are so different?

You must become soft and relaxed in body and mind to allow the incoming
force, not hard and blocking your opponent.

Mixing internal with external, there will always be an element of tension,
so you will never be completely soft. You will never truly let go of the old and
embrace the new.

Eyes closed walking

This drill allows you to feel your own balance and when you really need to step.  You must keep upright and not lean. 

Feel how sinking and routing considerably improves your stability. 

Moving slower than your partner will seriously drain their energy levels and this conserves your own energy by doing very little, only moving when needing to.

You must make sure that you are constantly relaxed and feel heavy.  Any tensing up or struggling with your partner is wrong.

Strength is wrong

If you use strength then your energy will be expelled very quickly.  This is a serious concern if faced with a real life self defence situation.

This is also the case with over-extending, contracting or exaggerating; the attacker has more chance of harming you. 

Even in solo practice, you will be putting a massive amount of strain on your body.

Tai chi and baguazhang should be trained so that it is good for the body and can be practised into old age.