In theory, all styles of Tai Chi Chuan should conform to the basic notions set forth as the Tai Chi Classics. In practice, even skilled teachers.from the same style, substyle and even the same school make their art personal - if only by their emphasis. Chinese Internal Kung Fu is almost always idiosynchratic and unique to an individual at high levels.

This is made even worse for inexperienced students because there are not only honest differences of opinion between competent teachers, there are also differences of opinion between people who are not. Inexperienced people need to gain enough information to evaluate the possible bias in the news and propaganda they consume.

There are a number of ways to go about finding competent teachers, but there is nothing like a standardized school churning out teachers with credentials. The best resource that you have is the feedback you get from your own practice and the signals you get from your own body in performing several key actions: practice forms, standing, and push hands (or even sparring).