Tai Chi Defined: 

The formal name for tai chi is tai chi quan (pronounced “tai chi chwon”). The word “chi” in tai chi quan refers to vital energy in Chinese medicine, and “quan” means fist in Chinese. Tai chi is an ancient form of self-defense (Chinese boxing) with four distinct movement characteristics that will help you achieve balance or harmony with nature. It is this balance or harmony that many believe is the key to managing or warding off a host of mental, physical, and emotional conditions.