Taijiquan is a full-featured, advanced-level martial art, which includes grappling, throwing, striking, kicking and weapons training.  The uniqueness of Taijiquan is in the types of skills it develops rather than in its techniques.  An individual or teacher may specialize in one or more technique modalities, but the art itself does not.

There are two divisions in Taijiquan training, internal training and fighting method.

Internal Training – Taijiquan as a fighting art is often confused with its internal training.  Much of the training is composed of slow, relaxed, self-aware, meditative movements in choreographed sequences or repeated, individual exercises. These are often practiced to improve health, quality of life and longevity.  These are wonderful applications of Taijiquan internal training, but they are not the original purpose.

Originally, Taijiquan internal training was designed to develop the tools, the skills, for self defense.  Taiji training begins with this end in mind.  It lays the foundation for advanced skills from the start.  Calm, relaxation, focus, precision are essential qualities in using high-level skills in a conflict.

Internal training develops other tools which turn the body into an integrated, dynamic structure.  Some of these tools include mental connection (mind-body training), rotation, expansion, contraction and breath.  Learning to correctly move in circles, spirals and helices and is called Reeling-silk Skill.  Using these movements in dealing with an opponent makes possible additional skills.