Sink the Shoulders and Drop the Elbows (沉肩墜肘) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要) Abaixar os Ombros, Deixar Cair os Cotovelos (含胸拔背) dos Dez Pontos Chave do Tàijíquán(太極拳十要)

沉肩墜肘

沉肩者，肩鬆開下垂也。若不能鬆垂，兩肩端起，則氣亦隨之而上，全身皆不得力矣。墜肘者，肘往下鬆墜之意。肘若懸起，則肩不能沉，放人不遠，近于外家之斷勁矣。

楊澄甫

"Sink the shoulders means to loosen the shoulders so they hang down. If one is not able to loosen, the tip of both shoulders will raise, therefore the Qi will follow and also rise and the whole body is not able to generate power. Drop the elbows means the elbows point down with the idea of loosening and weighing down. If the elbows seem raised or suspended, then the shoulders cannot sink. Therefore the ability to release (power towards) the opponent does not go far. This is similar to the external styles discontinuous power."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

"Abaixar os ombros significa relaxar os ombros de maneira à que eles fiquem pendurados. Se não sé é capaz de relaxar, a ponta de ambos os ombros sobe, e por consequênia o Qi seguirá e subirá, fazendo com que o corpo não seja capaz de gerar força. Deixar cair os corovelos significa que os cotovelos apontam para baixo com idéia de relaxar e pousar um peso. Se os cotovelos parecem levantados ou suspendidos, então os ombros não podem se abaixar. Em consequência a capacidade de emitir em direção do oponente não será significativa. Isto é parecido com a situação de força discontínua dos estilos externos."

De Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) e outras traduções em livros e na internet.

Push (按) in The Explanation of Tai Chi Chuan's Harmonious Stepping in Four Sides of Pushing Hands (太極拳合步四正推手解) Empurrar (按), a partir da Explicação dos Passos Harmoniosos dos Quatro Lados do Tuī Shǒu (太極拳合步四正推手解)

按者，因擠式不得其機，便將右手，緣彼敵之左肘外廉轉上，仍成履式履回。如履又不得勢，刖翻右手，以手心按彼左肘節上抽出。左手又以手心按彼左腕上，是謂之按。按之轉復為掤。掤履擠按終而復始，輪轉不息。此謂練習黏連貼隨之意也。以上四式，變化無窮，筆難縷術，望學者幸細心領會。

楊澄甫

"To push (Àn): as the pressing (Jǐ) may not be the appropriate form, one simply uses the right hand and attach it to the exterior of the opponent’s left elbow over the articulation, to transform the posture into Rollback (Lü) and apply this posture. If Rollback (Lü) cannot be applied, one turns over the right hand and uses the palm to push down the opponent’s left elbow joint. In the same way the left hand uses the palm to push down the opponent’s left wrist. This is called push (Àn), from push (Àn) one turns back to Ward-off (Peng). Wardoff (Peng), Rollback (Lü), Press (Jǐ), and Push (Àn) work as a full circle, cycling without ceasing. This is the meaning of practicing adhering, connecting, attaching and following. The four patterns mentioned above have endless variations. It is difficult to detail them in writing. It is expected that the attentive practitioner understand them."

Dictated by Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫口述), noted by Chen Weiming (陳微明筆述), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet.

"Empurrar (Jǐ): se o pressionar (Jǐ) não for a forma apropriada, deve-se simplesmente utilisar a mão direita e pousá-la no exterior do cotovelo esquerdo do oponente, sobre a articulação, para transformar a postura em Deixar Passar (Lü). Se o Deixar Passar (Lü) não puder ser aplicado, deve-se simplesmente virar a mão e usar a palma para empurrar a articulação do cotovelo esquerdo para baixo. Da mesma maneira a mão esquerda aplica a palma para empurrar para baixo o pulso esquerdo do oponente. Isso se chama Empurrar (Jǐ) e de Empurrar (Jǐ) volta o Aparar (Peng). Aparar (Peng), Deixar Passar (Lü), Pressionar (Jǐ), e Empurrar (Àn) fazem um ciclo completo, alternando-se sem cessar. Este é o significado de praticar colar, conectar, aderir e seguir. As quatro posturas mencionadas acima têm variações infinitas. É impráticavel descreve-las todas. Espera-se que o praticante meticuloso comprenda essas posturas."

Transmitido oralmente por Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫口述), anotado por Chén​ Wēi​míng (陳微明筆述), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) e outras traduções na internet.

Contain the Chest and Arc the Back (含胸拔背) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要) Conter o Peito e Arquear as Costas (含胸拔背) dos Dez Pontos Chave do Tàijíquán(太極拳十要)

含胸拔背

含胸者，胸略內含，使氣沉于丹田也。胸忌挺出，挺出則氣擁胸際，上重下輕，腳跟易于浮起。拔背者，氣貼于背也。能含胸則自能拔背，能拔背則能力由脊發，所向無敵也。

楊澄甫

"Contain the chest means the chest is contained slightly inward, allowing the Qi (氣) to sink to the Dan Tian (丹田). One should avoid the chest to stick out. If the chest sticks out then the Qi (氣) will be held within the chest area. It will result that the top will is heavy and the bottom is light, the heels are likely to float. Arching the back means that the Qi (氣) is adhering to the back. If one contains the chest, then one is able to arc the back. The ability to arc the back allows power to be emitted from the spine. There is no rival for those that can attain this."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

"Conter o peito significa que o peito é mantido ligeiramente para dentro, permitindo ao Qi de descer ao Dan Tian. Deve-se evitar que o peito se estufe para fora. Se o peito se estufa, o Qi (氣) permancerá na altura do peito. O resultado será que a parte de cima ficará pesada e a de baixo leve, e assim os calcanhares irão provavelmente flutuar. Arquear as costas significa que o Qi (氣) adere às costas. Se se contém o peito, é possível arquear as costas. A capacidade de arquear as costas permite que a força seja emitida à partir da espinha dorsal. Não há rival para aqueles que podem atingir este nível."

De Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) e outras traduções em livros e na internet.

Press (擠) in The Explanation of Tai Chi Chuan's Harmonious Stepping in Four Sides of Pushing Hands (太極拳合步四正推手解) Pressionar (擠), a partir da Explicação dos Passos Harmoniosos dos Quatro Lados do Tuī Shǒu (太極拳合步四正推手解)

擠者，正與履式相反。履則誘彼敵之按勁，使其進而入我陷阱而取之，必勝矣。設我之動力，先為彼所覺，則彼進勁必中斷，而變為他式，刖我之履勢失效，則不可不反退為進。用前手側採其肘，提起後手，加在前手小臂內便乘勢擠出。則彼倉猝變化之中，未有不失其機勢，而被我擠出矣。被擠者須於變化中能鎮定，有先覺，急空其擠勁，則便成其按勢矣。

楊澄甫

"To press (Jǐ) is just the opposite from Rollback (Lü). Rollback (Lü) induces the opponent’s Àn (push) to enter one’s trap and be caught there. This is a sure success. In the case one’s moving force is detected early by the opponent, he will interrupt his Ànjìn (push energy) and transform it into another posture; one’s Rollback (Lü) will be ineffective, it is unavoidable to reverse the retreating into advancing. Use one’s front hand to pluck his elbow from the side; raise one’s rear hand to add it inside the forearm of the front hand; take the opportunity to press. When encountering this sudden change, one should not loose his momentum and does not get pressed. If the one being pressed can remain unperturbed and has some foresight, he will immediately empty the pressing (Jǐ) by simply turning into a Àn (push)."

Dictated by Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫口述), noted by Chen Weiming (陳微明筆述), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet.

"Pressionar (Jǐ) é apenas o oposto de Deixar Passar (Lü). Deixar Passar (Lü) induz o Àn (empurrar) do oponente à entrar numa armadilha e ser pego ali. Este é um sucesso certo. No caso em que a força em movimento é detectada cedo pelo oponente, ele interromperá seu Ànjìn (energia de empurrar) e transformá-la em outra postura; o Deixar Passar Rollback (Lü) será ineficaz, é inevitável reverter a retirada em avanço. Ao se utilisar a mão da frente para colher o cotovelo do oponente à partir do lado; levantar a mão de traz para juntá-la ao interior do ante-braço da mão da frente; utilisar a oportunidade para pressionar. Quando se encontra essa mudança brusca, não se deve perder o embalo e se deixar pressionar. Se a pessoa sendo pressionada consegue manter-se calma e antecipar, ela esvazia imediatamente o pressionar (Jǐ) simplesmente transformando-o em Àn (empurrar)."

Transmitido oralmente por Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫口述), anotado por Chén​ Wēi​míng (陳微明筆述), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) e outras traduções na internet.

Internal and External Unify with Each Other (內外相合) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)Unificação do Interno e do Externo (內外相合) dos Dez Pontos Chave do Tàijíquán(太極拳十要)

內外相合

太極拳所練在神，故云︰«神為主帥，身為驅使»。精神能提得起，自然舉動輕靈。架子不外虛實開合。所謂開者，不但手足開，心意與之俱開。所謂合者，不但手足合，心意亦與之俱合。能內外合為一氣，則渾然無間矣。

楊澄甫

"The actual Tàijíquán practice is in the spirit, this is reason it is said: «The spirit is the commanding general and the body follows the orders». If the spirit of vitality can be raised, natural movements will be agile and skillful and the postures are nothing more than insubstantial, substantial, opening and closing. Opening means that not only the hands and feet open, but also that the mind and the intention take part in opening. Closing means that not only the hands and feet open, but also the mind and the intention take part in closing. The ability to combine the internal and external in a unified Qi, then Taijiquan is complete."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

"A verdadeira prática do Tàijíquán está no espírito, e é por isso que se diz: «O espírito é o general, o corpo segue as ordens». Se a vitalidade pode ser elevada, movimentos naturais serão ágeis e hábeis; as posturas não passarão de insubstancial, substancial, aberta ou fechada. Abrir significa não apenas abrir as mãos e os pés, significa também que a mente e a intenção participam ao abrir. Fechar significa não apenas abrir as mãos e os pés, significa também que a mente e a intenção participam ao fechar. A capacidade de combinar o interno e o externo em um Qì unificado é que permite completar o Tàijíquán."

De Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) e outras traduções em livros e na internet.

Rollback (履) in The Explanation of Tai Chi Chuan's Harmonious Stepping in Four Sides of Pushing Hands (太極拳合步四正推手解)Deixar Passar (履), a partir da Explicação dos Passos Harmoniosos dos Quatro Lados do Tuī Shǒu (太極拳合步四正推手解)

履者，連著彼之肘與腕，不抗不採。因彼伸臂襲我，我順其勢而取之。是收回意謂之履。此字義又與說文不同，乃拳術家之專用名詞也。其方法即履去轉腰加上一手連著彼之肘節間。被履者須本捨己從人，亦須知有捨人從己之處。被履覺其手加重，便可乘之以靠。或覺其履勁，忽有斷繢，刖急舍其一邊，而襲以擠可也。

楊澄甫

"Rollback (Lü) means to connect through the opponent's elbow and wrist, without resisting and without plucking. When the opponent extends his arm to attack me, I follow his momentum to fetch him. This is the meaning of withdraw which is called Rollback (Lü). This character has as well a different meaning from the Shuowen (traditional dictionary from the Han dynasty), it is therefore a term specific to martial arts schools. The method of Rollback (Lü) combines a turn of the waist with the connection of the hand with the elbow of the opponent. To use Rollback (Lü) one must know when give up oneself and when one must give up the opponent. If one is being Rollbacked (Lü) and feel the opponent’s hand pressure, one can take advantage and apply a Bump (Kào). In the other hand, if one feels the opponent’s Rollbacked (Lü) energy is suddenly cut off, then one can immediately abandon that side and can attack using press (Jǐ)."

Dictated by Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫口述), noted by Chén​ Wēi​míng (陳微明筆述), based on the translation by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

"Deixar Passar (Lü) significa conectar através do cotovelo e do pulso do oponente, sem resistir e sem pressionar. Quando o oponente estende seu braço para me atacar, eu sigo sua inércia para pegá-lo. Este significado é o de se retirar, que é também chamado de Deixar Passar (Lü). Este ideograma tem um significado bem diferente do apresentado no Shuowen (dicionário tradicional da dinastia Han), é um termo específico às escolas de artes marciais. O método de Deixar Passar (Lü) combina uma rotação da cintura com a conexão da mão ao cotovelo do oponente. Para usar o Deixar Passar (Lü) deve-se saber quando abandonar a si mesmo e quando abandonar o oponente. Se alguém aplica o Deixar Passar contra mim e eu sinto a pressão da mão, pode-se tirar vantagem e aplicar um Golpe de Ombre (Kào) ao oponente. Por outro lado, se eu sinto que a energia de Deixar Passar do oponente desaparece de repente, pode-se imediatamente abandonar este lado e atacar usando Pressionar (Jǐ)."

Transmitido oralmente por Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫口述), anotado por Chén​ Wēi​míng (陳微明筆述), baseado na tradução de Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) apresentada no livro Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) e outras traduções na internet

Top and Bottom Mutually Follow Each Other (上下相隨) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)

上下相隨

上下相隨者，即太極拳論中所云︰«其根在腳，發于腿，主宰于腰，形于手指，由腳而腿而腰，總須完整一氣»也。手動，腰動，足動，眼神亦隨之動。如是方可謂之上下相隨。有一不動，即散亂也。

楊澄甫

"The meaning of “top and bottom mutually follow each other” is in what the Taijiquan Treatise says: « The root of the movement is in the feet, it develops through the legs, it is ruled by waist, and manifested by the fingers. From the feet to the legs, and to the waist, it must be integrated with one completely unified Qi.» The hands move, the waist moves, the feet move, the eyes direction move accordingly. In this situation it can be said the top and the bottom mutually follow each other. If there is a place that does not move, then it can be called disordered."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

Connected and Continuous (相連不斷) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)

相連不斷

外家拳術，其勁乃後天之拙勁，故有起有止，有續有斷，舊力已盡，新力未生，此時最易為人所乘。太極拳用意不用力，自始至終，綿綿不斷，周而復始，循環無窮。原所謂«如長江大海，滔滔不絕»，又曰︰«運勁如抽絲»，皆言其貫串一氣也。

楊澄甫

"In the external martial arts, the power (Jin) is a Post-Heaven's awkward power (Jin). In this kind of power (Jins) there is a beginning and an end. When the worn force (Li) has ended and the new force (Li) has not yet been generated, this is the moment when one can be taken advantage of. Taijiquan uses the intention (Yi) and does not use the force (Li). From the beginning until the end, it is uninterrupted. When it is completed, it is started again from beginning, going through endless cycles. This is stated by the old saying: “It is like the great Yangtze river, flowing without ending.” Another saying says: “Transporting the power (Jin) as spinning the silk.” All of this means that the power is connected through a unified energy (Qi)."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫) performing Fist under Elbow (肘底看捶)

Ward-off (掤) in The Explanation of Tai Chi Chuan's Harmonious Stepping in Four Sides of Pushing Hands (太極拳合步四正推手解)

掤法向外，駕禦敵人之按手，使不得按至胸腹貼近。故曰掤。此掤字取意，與說文釋義稍異。掤之方式，左右同其用法，最忌板滯。板者，不知自己之運動。滯者，不知敵人之取舍。既不知己，又不知彼，則不成為推手矣。遲重者，必以力禦人，便成死手，非太極家之所取也。必曰掤者，黏也非杭也。手向外掤，意欲黏回，又不使己之掤手與胸部貼近。得化勁全賴轉腰，一轉腰則我之掤勢巳成矣。

楊澄甫

"The technique of Ward-off (Peng) is directed outward. It is used to defend against the opponent's Press (An) to make him unable to Press (An) and block the chest and the abdomen. This is called Peng (Ward off). The meaning of the Ward-off (Peng) character differs slightly from the explanation in the Shuowen (traditional dictionary from the Han dynasty). In the Ward-off (Peng) manner, both right and left are treated in the same way, the most important is to avoid stiffness. If stiff, one cannot feel one’s own movements. If sluggish, one cannot know the opponent’s choices. If one is not aware of oneself and does not know the opponent, then it cannot push hands. When one is slow and heavy, Muscular Force (Li) has to be used to resist the opponent. The hands become ordinary dead hands. This is not what is aimed by the Taiji styles. Ward-off (Peng) is necessarily adhering and not resisting. The Ward-off (Peng) hands are directed outward, the Yi Intention (Yi) is to adhere and revolve, and one does not allow the hands press to one’s own chest. One should use Neutralizing Jin (Hua Jin) by relying on the waist's turning. Once the waist is turned, then the formation of Ward-off (Peng) is completed."

Dictated by Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫口述), noted by Chen Weiming (陳微明筆述), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

The Insubstantial Jin leads the Crown Upwards (虛領頂勁) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)

虛領頂勁

頂勁者，頭容正直，神貫于頂也。不可用力，用力則項強，氣血不能流通，須有虛靈自然之意。非有虛領頂勁，則精神不能提起也。

楊澄甫

"The crown upward Jin means the head looks upright and the spirit reaches the crown. One should not allow to use force. The use of the force makes the crown stiff and the Qi and blood cannot circulate smoothly and fluidly. The Yi of the insubstantial must be present, agile, natural. Without the insubstantial Jin to lead the crown upward, then the spirit of vitality cannot be raised."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

Loose the waist (鬆腰) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)

鬆腰

腰為一身之主宰，能鬆腰然后兩足有力，下盤穩固﹔虛實變化皆由腰轉動，故曰︰«命意源頭在腰隙»，«有不得力必于腰腿求之也»。

楊澄甫

"The waist is the master of the entire body. If one is able to loosen the waist then the his two feet have power and the lower disk is steady and firm. The variations of insubstantial and substantial all originate from the waist's turning and movement. Therefore, it is said: «the origin of the life and intention (Yi) is in the waist.», «If one is in a place where it is not possible to use force (Li), then a solution must come from the the waist and the legs»."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

The Explanation of Tai Chi Chuan's Harmonious Stepping in Four Sides of Pushing Hands (太極拳合步四正推手解)

太極拳合步四正推手解
太極拳以練習推手為致用，學推手刖即是學覺勁,有覺勁刖懂勁便不難矣。故總論所謂由懂勁而階及神明，此言即根於推手無疑矣。掤，履，擠，按四式即黏，連，貼，隨捨己從人之定步推手。

楊澄甫

"Taijiquan uses the practice of pushing hands because of its delicate appplication. Learning pushing hands means learning Feeling Jin. When there is Feeling Jin, the Understanding Jin is not difficult. Therefore, the Total Thesis (of Taijiquan) said: «from Understanding Jin then gradually reach the spiritual enlightenment». There is no doubt that these words are in the basis of pushing hands. Peng (Ward Off), Lu (Rollback), Ji (Press), and An (Push) are the four patterns of adhering, connecting, attaching and following of selfless yielding in fixed-step push hands."

Dictated by Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫口述), noted by Chen Weiming (陳微明筆述), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

Use Intention, not Force (用意不用力) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)

用意不用力

太極拳論云︰«此全是用意不用力。»練太極拳全身鬆開，不能有分毫之拙勁，以留滯于筋骨血脈之間以自縛束，然后能輕靈變化，圓轉自如。或疑不用力何以能長力?蓋人身之有經絡，如地之有溝洫，溝洫不塞而水行，經絡不閉則氣通。如渾身僵勁滿經絡，氣血停滯，轉動不靈，牽一發而全身動矣。

楊澄甫

"The Taijiquan Treatise says: « All of these are using the Yi not the Li » (When) training Taijiquan, the entire body is loosening and opening, cannot have (even a) centimeter or millimeter's (i.e., slightly) clumsy Jin which (may cause) self bondage (i.e., clumsiness) due to the delay and stagnation (of the Qi and blood circulation) within tendon, bones and blood. Then, (you) can be light, agile, varied, and round as wished. (You) may doubt, how can you grow power without muscular force? It is because the Jing and Luo (i.e., primary and secondary Qi channels) in the human body are like streams and ditches. When the streams and ditches are not blocked, the water will flow (smoothly), and when the Jing and Luo are not shut off, the Qi will transport (easily). If there is a stiff Jin (applied on) entire Jing and Luo (system), the Qi and blood will be stopped or stagnant and the turning and movement will not be agile. (When this happens,) once a place is pulled, the entire body moves. "

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

Discriminate Insubstantial and Substantial (分虛實) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)

分虛實

太極拳術以分虛實為第一義，如全身皆坐在右腿，則右腿為實，左腿為虛﹔全身皆坐在左腿，則左腿為實，右腿為虛。虛實能分，而后轉動輕靈，毫不費力﹔如不能分，則邁步重滯，自立不穩，而易為人所牽動。

楊澄甫

"The discrimination of insubstantial and substantial is the most important content in Taijiquan. If the entire body is all sitting on the right leg, then the right leg is substantial and the left leg is insubstantial. If the entire body is all sitting on the left leg, then the left leg is substantial and the right leg is insubstantial. When the insubstantial and substantial can be discriminated, then the turning and movement can be light and agile, without wasting too much power. If (they) cannot be discriminated, then the stepping is heavy and stagnant, the self stance is not steady and can be pulled and moved easily by the opponent."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet

The Essence and Applications of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳體用全書) by Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫) translated by Louis Swaim

Classics are the books that everyone should read and almost nobody does. This 1934 book by Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫) is a classic in its own right, as it was one of the books of its generation to open wide the tradition. It was not the only one, Sūn Lùtáng (孫祿堂) and others have done likewise. Moved by the nationalistic fervor of the time, they all wanted to share practices that would strenghen fellow countrymen. Being one among others does not diminish its merits, as the company is very noble, and this is one the first veritable book on the Yáng Style Tàijíquán (楊氏太极拳).
It reads like a manual, as it is supposed to do. The translator, Louis Swaim goes far in lifting ambiguity and clarifying the text for the western reader. More than the instructions themselves, the main interest for me is in the pictures: seeing the postures executed by a grand master is always a lesson in itself, even though a beginner like me cannot capture much of what is really going on.

Seeking calmness in the movements (動中求靜) from The Ten Important Points of Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳十要)

動中求靜

外家拳術，以跳躑為能，用盡氣力，故練習之后，無不喘氣者。太極拳以靜御動，雖動尤靜，故練架子愈慢愈好。慢則呼吸深長，氣沉丹田，自無血脈僨張之弊。學者細心休會，庶可得其意焉。

楊澄甫

"The fist techniques of the external styles grant expertise in jumping and walking, use the Qi and Li until it is exhausted. Therefore, right after practice, everybody will be panting. Taijiquan uses the calmness to control the movements, though moving remain calm. Therefore, when practicing postures, the slower the better. When slow, then the breathing is deep and long, the Qi is sunk to Dan Tian. Consequently, there is no harmful problem like the blood vessels' expansion. The practitioners should ponder and comprehend it carefully, then can (they) obtain its meaning."

By Yáng Chéngfǔ (楊澄甫), based on the translation by by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) presented in the book Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style (太極拳楊氏先哲秘要) and various translations on the internet