Once it was considered better to avoid risking sacrifice in unarmed combat when possible, the primary objective of taijiquan turned to fostering good health. As the Classic of Taijiquan says, it should be borne in mind that "Great heroes are not made by combat skills alone--they also enjoy long lives."
「以生命相搏」的技擊是能不用則不用，也就是《拳經》所說的，練拳志在使「天下英雄豪傑延年益壽，不徒做技藝之末」。清末以來練拳的目的就是以養生為宗旨。