These gentle, deliberate movements are combined with meditation to become the useful exercise technique called tai chi. Unlike other Chinese martial arts, tai chi relies entirely on technique rather than strength or power. Daily practice is essential to achieve maximum benefit. People take lessons to learn the various forms, which have very descriptive names. Once learned, students are urged to practice at least once each day to master the forms and gain full benefit from the exercises.
Proper breathing is an essential part of tai chi.
Slow, deep breaths from the diaphragm help the meditative process and promote relaxation. Tai chi is effective, but how it works and what makes it effective depends on your beliefs. Fundamentalist believers in the ancient concepts explain that qi, the life force, is centered in the body just below the navel. From there they say it radiates throughout the body. Proper diaphragm breathing and the tai chi exercises are believed to balance the life force.