The philosophy of the martial aspects of tai chi can be summed up by this poem found in a Chinese Shaolin temple:

I would rather maim than kill
Hurt than maim
Intimidate than hurt
Avoid than intimidate

For this reason, most tai chi instructors prefer that their students first master the defensive or neutralizing skills prior to learning any of the offensive maneuvers.

In fact, some traditional tai chi teachers require their students to go through two phases of development before learning to use tai chi as a martial arts form. The first phase involves the improvement of health. Tai Chi masters believe that an unhealthy person will be unable to achieve the relaxed meditative state that is needed for efficient martial expression. Therefore, in the primary learning stages of Tai Chi, the student concentrates on relieving the physical effects of chronic stress on their body and mind.

Once a significant amount of stress is reduced, the student will find it easier to focus on the meditative aspects of tai chi. It is this meditative state that enables the student to practice harmonious movements with his or her partner. Meditation puts the mind in an alpha state. Alpha states have been associated with enhanced intuition, and intuition plays a paramount role in martial tai chi.

The meditative state also allows the practitioner to keep their mind focused in the present. Extraneous thoughts are cleared from the mind, and the student can concentrate on the purpose of the specific forms, push hands, and techniques. Once a clear understanding of the form's purpose is achieved, it becomes easier to apply your intent.

Aikitaiji, though, is a unitive art rather than sequential. The philosophy of Aikitaiji is that the meditative, health and martial aspects of tai chi, aikido, and other forms proceed together through our integrated curriculum. Offense cannot be divorced from defense and defense cannot be separated from health, as yin cannot be separated from yang. In Aikitaiji, all aspects are coordinated from the beginning.