The impact that Tai Chi has on health can be thought of as a type of nourishment. Practice of the Tai Chi form will strengthen the muscles, organs and fibers down to the cellular level.

This is done by focusing on the development and control of the body's natural energy wellspring, or "chi". Chinese acupuncture is well known for its ability to control pain by tapping the nervous systems' energy network. Tai Chi applies a similar principle, except it does not work from the outside in, it works from the inside out. Tai Chi techniques are designed to build chi, and control how it is focused through motion and controlled breathing.

This is accomplished, in part, by understanding the composition of the body and how its parts are interconnected and interdependent. Various exercises concentrate on stimulating the lungs, kidneys, heart, spine and so on. In time it is possible to feel the chi, and learn how to consciously deliver it to a part of the body that is in need of this physically nourishing force. The result is improved circulation, lower blood pressure and greater overall strength.

Tai Chi is practiced slowly and evenly, with great control and with circular patterns. To an outside observer this might suggest Tai Chi is simple and physically unchallenging. Nothing could be further from the truth. Imagine any physical activity, like push ups or weight lifting, done at a very slow pace. The slower they are done, the greater the demands on the associated muscles. Tai Chi is extremely low impact, removing the element of joint and ligament stress that one finds in more conventional exercise venues. The same characteristics that remove the possibility of high-impact related injury also enhance toning potential.

Students are often surprised at first by the difficulty of sustaining Tai Chi motions. But after a few weeks the muscles become accustomed to the new kind of exercise they are receiving. Concentrated breathing techniques begin to become comfortable and as proper positioning of weight is understood balance begins to improve. And with the serene application of Tai Chi temple exercises and the Tai Chi form, evidence of modern stressful living in the shoulders and face begin to dissipate.

Tai Chi for self-defense is studied via:

• concentration on the Tai Chi form to control the chi and develop the "jing" (external delivery of the chi).
• the practice of traditional push hands and roll back two-person drills to develop speed, sensitivity to attack and redirection of force.
• study and analysis of the Tai Chi forms' various motions as self defense applications.
• on a more advanced level, practice with traditional weapons and study of their application, mainly the double-edge straight sword the Tai Chi staff and also broad sword and spear.

Tai Chi as a self defense form is difficult and time consuming to master. its economy of motion and redirection of force depends on a high degree of precision. Unlike commercial martial arts forms that apply general striking techniques, 'close" is not sufficient. Our movements in application must be disciplined and extremely accurate to be effective. The reward of expertise is a self-defense barrier that is unbreakable.