Xing Yi and Tai Chi are two Chinese martial arts that developed in close proximity of each other, both start in the same Wuji posture. There are many similarities but not so man that training both would become redundant. Training both of these arts together can accelerate your progress in both to some degree especially if xing yi is taught before tai chi. This is the concept of raw and refined material as taught by Luo Dexiu.
Xing Yi can help your tai chi by simplifying it, but not to the point of an external martial art. Breaking any system down with the 5 elements adds clarity.
One reason Tai Chi works so well with Xing Yi is that they both emphasize vertical paths of force at the beginning of training. In tai chi the basic upward movements are raise hands and open the door and downward are play pipa and An. In Xing Yi it is Pi and Zhuan which are taught first. This type of forces requires a lot of practice.
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