Tai Chi is a Chinese martial art that is primarily practiced for its health benefits, including a means for dealing with tension and stress. Tai chi emphasizes complete relaxation and is essentially a form of meditation, or what has been called "meditation in motion."

Unlike the hard martial arts, Tai Chi is characterized by soft, slow, flowing movements that emphasize force, rather than brute strength. Though it is soft, slow and flowing, the movements are executed precisely.

According to the philosophy of Tai Chi, this energy or Chi flows throughout the body, but can become blocked. According to Chinese medicine, Tai Chi Masters and Tai Chi philosophy, one becomes ill when the flow of the Chi through the body becomes blocked.

The Chinese recognise several means for freeing up the flow of Chi. Two of the more commonly known forms in this country are Acupuncture and Tai Chi.

In addition to its physical benefits, Tai Chi is said, by the Chinese, to have certain psychological effects as well. Tai Chi, as a form of meditation, is intended to help one understand oneself and to enable one to deal with others more effectively. This latter function is rooted in one's learning to control oneself.