1:Keep your back straight.
Sometimes you will have to bend forward, either because you are not flexible enough, or because the exercise requires so, but even then, do not move up your coccyx. Always have it turned forward, just a little. As the other part of this restriction, the shoulders should not go down. If you bend forward, do it with flat back, keeping your coccyx forward (which means, your low back will be stretched).
The reason for this rule have a lot to do with the idea, that energy channels on your back should be straight. Bringing your coccyx back will create an extracurve in your low back, and the energy flow will stop (or will never start).
2:Relax your shoulders
Keep your shoulders relaxed and down. Always, except when explicitly told otherwise.
3:Knee above the foot
This rule applies when your weight is on the foot. The knee should be on top of your foot, and not to the side (especially, not inside).
4:Do not look down
There is nothing there to look at. Look forward ,at the direction of the exercise.
Coordinations
1. Hip and foot.
Your "empty" foot (one that have no or almost no weight on it) should always point in the same direction where hip’s face.
2. Elbow - knee.
The way we move our elbows is coordinated with our knees.
3. Palm and foot.
The palm and foot are moving in synch.
(Coordinations will be explained in details when we describe corresponding exercises.)
4.When walking, do not jump up and down.
5. straight wrists
In Tai Chi you will find, that wrists are generally less bent, than you would expect, if you had some prior martial arts experience. Thet is due to the fact, that the "energy" is moving better through the (almost) straight hands. Due to the same reason, you will almost newer bend the wrists, except for the very little angles up or down, or sideways. However, when you push, your “Laogoon” points go forward, which is done by combining the angle at the elbow and wrist.
6.There are no stops
In some Tai Chi styles there are stops, but even there the chi keeps moving. In Tai Chi Yang style there are no stops. The motions are smoothly flowing into each other.
7.Elbows down
Elbows should always be "hanging" down. From the martial point of view, the "elbow to the side" is an invitation for an opponent to either kick you in the armpit, or to break your shoulder. From the "energy" point of view, the "elbow to the side" means, that your shoulders are tense.
