Just a tip for beginners learning taikyoku: once you learn all the moves, try doing it very very slowly. I'm talking about tai chi speed. By doing it extremely slowly so that it barely seems you're moving, you will be able to grasp the finer points very well. This is perhaps most useful for balance since you can't just use your momentum to get into position - you have to perfect the transitions or you'll be wobly.
Also, as with any kata, if you find you know the moves but have a tournament or promotion coming up and you're scared you're going to forget a move, try blitzing through the kata at full speed. Rush it as fast as you can, focusing only on the moves, not on making it look perfect. By performing the kata at huge speeds you simulate being nervous, and if you miss a move when doing it super fast then that's a good indicator you don't yet have it quiet down.
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