In China, large groups of people gather in the early morning to start the day by practicing the system of exercise called Tai Chi. The Chinese consider this active exercise system as preventative medicine and prescribe it for a wide range of illnesses. Tai Chi is a gentle martial art whose philosophy is based upon the avoidance of force. The idea was to overcome attackers gently by using the fighter's own force against them. Developed long ago for fighting, the preset movements mimic those of other forms of Kung Fu, except they are performed more slowly.
Today there is less emphasis placed on the fighting aspects and more on the health benefits.
Tai Chi is a subtle yet powerful way to build strength, balance and flexibility. The series of concentrated movements take the body through a wide range of motion. The physical benefits of Tai Chi are many. The gentle flowing movements loosen the body and the joints. It stimulates the circulation, builds stability in the legs and develops an awareness of one's internal strength.