“The teacher however, can only lead the student to the correct gate, he cannot compel him to go further, Somewhere inside the gates masses gold and diamonds lie hidden. It is up to the student to go beyond the door and into the inner rooms to search for the treasure. So in order to acquire the art one must have a determined and enduring mind, ready to persevere and study hard. If one relies entirely on the teacher one will never find the treasure.”- Master T.T. Liang “Tai Chi Chuan for Health and Self Defense”

The practice of Tai Chi cultivates relaxation and mindfulness. It teaches you to move easily, without tension, so that your mind and body can function smoothly. This is perhaps its greatest health benefit and the source of its spiritual power.Tai Chi is designed to open you up, mentally and physically. Mentally so you can concentrate, your mind isn't easily distracted. Physically, so you can relax until all the residue of tension is gone. In this way, Tai Chi teaches you to move in harmony with yourself and your surroundings.The ability to move easily, with a sense of relaxed power, will manifest in your everyday activities. Eventually, you will move differently, open doors differently, carry packages differently, stand differently. You will also approach conflicts differently, whether in a family, with co-workers or with friends.Lao Tze spoke of the virtues of water: Water is unselfish, life giving, never asking for reward, able to infiltrate into and out of every place. Nothing is softer than water or more fluid. Water doesn't struggle. It does not resist. It goes into any space available. It takes the shape of its container."When my opponent is strong, I am soft. This is called "yielding."Like water, Tai Chi flows smoothly and offers no resistance. It yields, changes shape, moves into any available space. Like water, Tai Chi meets hardness with softness. If someone pushes you, you yield and change shape. Like water, Tai Chi can be soft as four ounces or powerful as a thousand pounds.It is important to remember that you don't yield for nothing. You yield to place yourself in a better position. This is the life strategy of Tai Chi.