Echoes Of Taijiquan

 “The waist is the foundation of all bodily movement. It is the big axis from which all T’ai-chi movements derive their celerity, crispness, and power. Only in the flexibility of the waist is there true strength. To fight with arms or legs independently of the waist is the mark of the perpetual beginner.” Robert W. Smith ‘Chinese Boxing: Masters and Methods’, p.27

 "The 'yao,' usually translated as 'waist,'...the Chinese concept of the waist is different from that of the English: 'yao' refers to the whole midsection of the torso, including the all-important kidney and dantian areas." Barbara Davis in the preface to Chen Weiming 'Taiji Sword and Other Writings', p.xv

 "The 'yao,' usually translated as 'waist,'...the Chinese concept of the waist is different from that of the English: 'yao' refers to the whole midsection of the torso, including the all-important kidney and dantian areas." Barbara Davis in the preface to Chen Weiming 'Taiji Sword and Other Writings', p.xv