Among the most important and basic aspects of Tai Chi Chuan are the Eight Powers and the Five Internal and Five External positions.

The Eight Powers are:

1. Ward-Off
2. Roll Back
3. Press
4. Push
5. Pull Down
6. Split
7. Elbowing, and
8. Shouldering

The Five Internal positions are:

1. Sticking
2. Attaching
3. Joining
4. Following, and
5. Neither letting nor resisting.

The five external positions are:

1. Step Forward
2. Step Backward
3. Look Left
4. Look Right, and
5. Stand centered.

Tai Chi Chuan should be performed in a slow and gentle manner. In every movement the entire body must be light and comfortable, and it is especially important that all parts of the body function together.

At dawn, when beginning to practice Tai Chi, the best direction is facing north because the north give off ultraviolet rays which are beneficial.

To understand Tai Chi power, you need to understand the meaning of: "as hard as steel, as soft as cotton; as slow and steady as chasing after an ant."