The hand movements of Taichi, when executed just below the surface of water, demonstrates that this physical exercise is at one with its central philosophy, and perhaps even a way of practice in life.
Try it. If execute a 'pushing' stance, that is, with your palm flat and pushing the water just below the surface, you can see how great the resistance is. Conversely, if you execute a 'pulling' stance, that is, with your palm relaxed and 'pulling' back the water (with your fingers relaxed and following the flow of the water), you would feel a great natural fluidity. Normally Taichi is not practiced in water. But as far as resistance is concerned, water and air are both fluids that can be used to demonstrate these principles here.
A 'pushing' hand stance is also a striking stance. One strikes an opponent with the palm more or less flat. The force that is exerted is countered with an equal reaction force. But a 'pulling' stance is an accepting stance; one accepts the incoming force and works with that. 'Striking' is far removed from the consciousness in the 'pulling' stance.
I am tempted to imagine from this example that even the physics of this world is hinting to show us a way of life: that if one operates daily with the 'pushing' stance, there is going to be great resistance. It may even be 'unnatural'. But the 'pulling' stance involves acceptance and operating fluidly.
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