"In Tai chi chuan, the ability to cultivate oneself physically and spiritually, but not to defend oneself, is civil accomplishment.  The ability to defend oneself, but not to cultivate oneself, is martial accomplishment.  The soft Tai Chi method is the true Tai Chi method.  The ability to teach people the art of self-cultivation and self-defense, both cultivation and application, is complete civil and martial Tai Chi." - Tung Ying-chieh [1898-1961]  (p.145 'Tai Chi Touchstones Yang Family Secret Transmissions' ISBN:091205901X)

What are the Nine Palaces?  For students wishing to know more, here is a page extracted from a  website for information based on Bagua.

Here also is a definition for Nine Palaces from an Enclyclopedia on Taoism.