Now for the fun stuff!
I know you’ve been waiting for the third category of principles. This is one of my favorites to teach. Once we’ve learned all of the “moves,” then what? Well, here it is, principle #3.
3. Internal Components
Loosen or ‘松 – Song ‘ the joints. You should relax when you do tai chi, but by relax we don’t mean let your muscles get floppy. Instead, consciously and gently stretch your joints from within. When your joints are Song, qi moves smoothly and powerfully through. Tensed joints hinder the flow of qi. Song strengthens the internal ligaments and muscles, enhancing the function of joints.
Develop a state of mental quietness or ‘静 – Jing’. You are more mindful of the present and the self when you are Jing, allowing your mind to be quiet from within.