Echoes Of Taijiquan

 “In general, without fullness there is no stability, but absolute fullness restricts our freedom of movement, and one is easily toppled. Without emptiness there is no agility, but absolute emptiness causes lightness, floating, and instability, and one is easily shaken. When empty and full complement each other, one attains the marvel of naturalness.” Ch’ang Nai-chou’s Writings, translated in Douglas Wile ‘Tai Chi’s Ancestors’, p.105. [Image: Chen Jinao in Golden Rooster posture.]

 "...the mind needs at least 15 minutes to become truly tranquil. When the mind becomes tranquil it can experience 'shen ming' (illumination of the spirit). Short forms cannot provide this, thus the higher benefits of T'ai Chi are never reached." T. T. Liang, 'Steal My Art: The Life and Times of a T'ai Chi Master'. p.94