h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A very well balanced article. This covers all major points, and any newcomer to Taiji would do well to read it carefully.
90% of the taiji in the Uk is poor. Picked up by failed yoga teachers and latter day hippies.(including some Chinese nationals who use it to escape from more mundane work) If your teacher cannot show you the martial applications, then they cannot teach you the benefits for health or meditation. It is a "disguised" martial art, but once you learn the basics over a year or two, you can then concentrate on different aspects. You do not get anything for nothing, weaving your arms about, standing on a magic mat, getting in touch with the tao is not taiji.
Let the buyer beware.