Feeling One
Lifting the Baihui
One should have a Light lift of the Baihui point on the top of the head to set the straightness from the top. This lift up is a discipline as it is easy to let go of it.
Feeling Two
Bottom Heaviness - Root
This feeling seems to contradict the lifting of the Baihui. You lift up but sink down. So you are able to maintain both. When the lower body is heavy you are able to sink your weight to sit on the legs. There are many degrees to how well one can do this. Upper body is light and loose while the lower body feels very heavy and stable.
Third Feeling
All Movement Coming from the Waist (Dan dian)
This movement is fajin or a quick fast Tai chi but you can clearly see the waist leading the movement in the arms. Moving this way we call unitary movement. Moving from the arms first is a segmented action. For power unitary movement is necessary.
Fourth Feeling
Whole Body Spiraling
(silk reeling)
Silk reeling is a further description of the unitary movement discussed above. As the dan dian initiates the movement it sends a spiraling movement through the torso and then down the arms. At the same time it sends a spiral down the legs through the feet. This constant unified spiral movement is a feeling that is going on every moment in Tai Chi.
Fifth Feeling
Whole Body in "Peng"
(Muscles Stretched 2 ways and Relaxed)
Peng is the state that is created when the muscles, tendons and ligaments both stretch and relax to form both a relaxed and firm state throughout the whole body. Peng is a foundation for the connection so that as you move unitary through the waist and spiraling through the whole body, the actual type of tension promotes the connective motion through the body.
This fundamental state is developed throughout the years of practice to make a more perfect body that can cause better circulation and better unitary coordination.
There are many more "feelings" in Tai Chi, but these are the major ones that when done together produce a most unique and distinct action.
For students who are also in the Chinese Boxing, the lift of the head is altered in combat due to practical considerations at close range. The root is the same and necessary for the encounter closing and control. The unitary is necessary for power movements and the spiraling helps the unitary and can also be use for escaping and reversing various grappling actions. The Peng state is also used in Chinese Boxing fluctuations between a firm state for striking and a loose state for defense maneuvers.