Art - 3 Stages

Every gesture is important. How we eat, how we put on our clothes, how we wash ourselves, how we go to the toilet, how we put things away, how we act with other people, family, wife, how we work - how we are: totally, in every single gesture.

You must do not dream your life away. You must be, completely, in whatever you do.

(Taisen Deshimaru)

Understanding this journey of development aids you in making the best of your tai chi.

New

New things are either discovered or invented.

Consider: a chair.

A chair has one singular function and purpose. It enables a person to sit, elevated above the ground.
This most basic, fundamental fact represents the 'te' of the chair. Its nature/character/virtue.

What makes a chair a chair, rather than a cup? You can sit on it.

Classical

Having discovered or invented the chair, the essence can be explored in greater depth.
Different styles, options, choices and preferences may be considered.

Providing the chair still serves its primary function, these permutations are acceptable and valid.

Baroque

If the chair becomes extravagantly ornate, florid, and convoluted in character or style, it is in danger of losing its primary function.
An ornamental chair may look beautiful, but can you sit on it?

Also, no matter what you add to the chair, no matter what flourishes and embellishments adorn it, it is and always will be simply a chair.

The danger with the baroque is that the artistry overwhelms the purpose. People forget why they are doing things and what things were designed for.
In the worst instances, the initial function is lost entirely.

Tai chi

Clearly, we are not discussing a chair at all. But rather, tai chi.

Tai chi is a method of combat, designed for self defence.
Every gesture and posture has a martial significance and function.
If the student does not know what the art is for, what are they practicing? And why?

Te

The essence of every posture is very important.
It defines the movement and determines the way in which it should be performed.
Understanding the character of each and every movement is the main task of the student.

The tai chi must be martially functional. It must work in society and address the needs of the world in which we live.

If your tai chi lacks this necessary grounding in function and purpose, then it is a chair that cannot be sat upon.
And what point does that serve?
Taoists call such a folly "eating the flower rather than fruit"...

Body use/purpose

Some stances/postures offered in tai chi may be fine for performance art but are useless for combat.

Self defence requires a more robust framework, capable of a high degree of flexibility and spontaneous movement.