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Q1: Tai Chi has both internal and external. On which should the emphasis be in the beginning?

A1: At first the external is more important. Like when building a house, the skeleton structure is very important - the external is that structure. Correct alignment of the bones is very important.

Cooperation of various physical parts is also very important, like hands, eyes, torso, feet.

External and internal can not be devided. The external pose has very strong influence on the efficiency of the internal force.

correct                                              incorrect

Here, Mr.Tu's leading wrist and elbow have correct/incorrect structure.   Incorrect leads to 'folding'.

correct                                     incorrect

Here, Mr.Tu's leading foot has correct/incorrect position.

Incorrect position leads to incorrect structure of the whole body, most obviously noticeble in the leading leg and hips.

Also, eyes should look at the opponent's eyes (to read the intent, to catch the moment of change), but only at close distance, when hand techniques and body contact are principle. At kicking range it's ok to look at the solar plexus, so as to see shoulders and hips. So the direction of the eyes goes hand-in-hand with correctness of posture, especially neck and head.