In taiji, it is important for movements to flow into each other, for the top and bottom to be in sync, left and right to be moving together, all connected through the waist. This is important because the moves in taiji combine attack and defence; when one hand is used to ward off an opponent, the other hand is hitting the opponent in the same movement. The key is to turn at the waist, which acts as an axle.
For example, in the opening move, there is a movement where the right hand is warding off an attack as you shift your weight to the left with a left-hand strike to the opponent's groin. The power is generated by shifting your weight from the right to left; that power is transmitted to both the left and right arms by the turning of the waist, pulling the right arm out to ward off, while bringing the left arm inward and upward to strike.
Cloud Hands is another example, where the upper hand is warding off while the lower hand is pushing. There are many other examples; in fact, taiji is all about this attack and defence in the same movement. When practising routines, it is important to think about application, and how each move is an attack and defence in tandem. This will then allow you to properly link the power generated by the leg movements to the turning of the waist and to its application at the arms (or shoulders or wherever the contact point is).
In summary, when practising routine, do not just think about getting the movements right. Once that is done, think about the application, and how the power is transmitted from the legs to the contact point. This will help your body to move as one, with the top and bottom in sync and the left and right moving together.
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