Each of the animals embodies certain characteristics that must be explored in self defence.
This constitutes the 'way of' part of the syllabus.

These qualities must be incorporated:

1. Bear
   - gravity, indifference, casual
    
2. Bird
   - open & close, unite upper & lower
    
3. Monkey
   - withdraw, yielding, softness, distraction
    
4. Snake
   - reeling silk, speed striking, wave, penetration
    
5. Tiger
   - advance, wu nien

Merely to train 5 animals in form is to practice the shape but not the essence of the animal.

A Tai Chi Grandmaster must have taught an extensive number of high-level Instructors, be in a position of significant responsibility within a school and have influence in the wider tai chi/martial arts community.

What is a treasure?

1. A quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects
2. A very valuable object
3. Keep carefully (a valuable or valued item)
4. Value highly
5. A collection of precious things
6. From Greek θησαυρος; thesaurus, meaning "a treasure of the chest"
7. A concentration of riches, often one which is considered lost or forgotten until being rediscovered
8. A term of endearment
9. To consider to be precious
10. To store or stow in a safe place

The 16 treasures are key skills that underpin the entire system.

People are seldom aware of postural faults; their sense of balance is not reliable.
When most students are asked to adopt a shoulder-width stance with the insides of the feet parallel, they usually have one foot askew but feel as if they don't.
Then they look.