The first weapon ever used by humans was probably a blunt instrument such as a short stick or a bone.
It would have been something that was to hand.
We adopt the same approach and train with sticks because they can be replaced by any suitable object you might find.

The ancient wandering taoist carried only a staff with them for protection.
A simple stick is an ideal weapon for a tai chi person to use.
It is simple, practical and defensive in nature.

What is most notable is the effect.
Internal power is surprisingly powerful with the effect far outweighing the cause.

Some neigong are ‘doings’, others are not.

The more advanced a person becomes at tai chi, the more powerful the neigong.
Each quality is built upon the preceding ones and is only possible because of what the body can already do.
Clearly the first neigong are very simple.

The word ‘posture’ is quite misleading because its meaning is widely misunderstood.
Posture actually refers to the way in which a person is stood or moves.
The onus is upon the nature of their action, rather than a shape.

Thought tends to create fixed structures in the mind, which can make dynamic entities seem to be static.

(Will Keepin)

'13 powers', '13 principles', '13 patterns' or '13 ways' would be a more accurate description.

These are the 6 balanced pairs:

1. Hands & feet
2. Elbows & knees
3. Hips & shoulders
4. Back of head & coccyx
5. CV1 & crown
6. Buttocks & armpits

They are sometimes referred to as the '6 harmonies'.

Taoism is quite clear when it comes to mastery.
You must address your own concerns before attempting to control or manipulate other things.
Scholars of the tao question the very notion of mastery.

Neigong is ‘internal work’; a unique process of moving the whole body as one unit.
Rather than rely on tensed muscles, neigong teaches the student to remain physically relaxed and composed at all times, and move every body part together.
This is not as easy as it sounds.

Everything is changed by neigong. Every qigong exercise, form posture and movement is altered.
The body literally re-grows from the inside out.

Sifu Waller had a kind of internal arts open-house in the late 80's/early 90's, with students from all kinds of martial arts calling at his house. He met them at work, in classes, in bookshops, at workshops. They came and they trained. Shaun Ullah converted his living room into a dojo of-sorts, complete with wallbag, heavy bag and weaponry. This was a time of great sharing and discovery, with Sifu Waller at the centre yet taking no credit.

 (Michael Dutton)

Sifu Waller had a kind of internal arts open-house in the late 80's/early 90's, with students from all kinds of martial arts calling at his house. He met them at work, in classes, in bookshops, at workshops. They came and they trained. Shaun Ullah converted his living room into a dojo of-sorts, complete with wallbag, heavy bag and weaponry. This was a time of great sharing and discovery, with Sifu Waller at the centre yet taking no credit.

 (Michael Dutton)

Muscles serve two main functions:

1. They help to hold the skeleton upright
2. They move the bones

If you encounter resistance but continue to push against growing pressure, which of these functions is being served?

Peter Southwood's main baguazhang influence is a man called Wang Shujin.