Others concentrate more on grappling, throwing and joint-locking. Taiji aims for maximum efficiency and power. Rather than throwing a punch with one muscle, the punch is moved with the whole body. The body moves as a whole. Individual is forced to defend herself against a much larger assailant, the assailant's advantage in size may be largely illusory.
Energy moves up from the earth and out through the limbs in spiral paths.
A movement in one limb manifests in all. It is as if the frame is held together with springs which coil and uncoil in sympathy and in opposition to each other. Within the straight can always be found the round and vice versa. The result is that the joints in time open up and the connective tissue becomes resilient and elastic. All spirals connect to the Lower Dan Tien and the spine.