Using minimum force requires a response that matches the push, often by borrowing the force from the push. In Taiji a "good" response to a push always begins by following direction and speed of the push (e.g., if someone said to me, "why do you always have to make me so mad?" a good follow response might be, "I can see that you are very angry at me."). Being able to follow requires being able to listen to the direction and nature of the push. When we are tense its very hard to listen. Effective listening requires us to be relaxed.

So… when doing Taiji we relax in order to listen. We listen to follow. We follow to respond. We respond to use minimum force and to move through the world slowly, smoothly and with grace.