In recent years, growing numbers of people have turned to an ancient practice to heal their modern aches, pains and illness.

Hundreds of years ago, someone in China – possibly a military general or a Taoist monk – invented a martial art intended to bring inner calm to all who practiced it. Today, tai chi (also known as tai chi chuan) remains a daily tonic for the bodies and souls of millions throughout the world.

Tai chi involves shifting your body weight in a series of slow, graceful movements called forms. Many of these forms are named for animals and are patterned after the ways in which specific creatures contort their bodies. For example, one movement involves lifting your arms in the same manner that a white crane spreads its wings.

Each form in tai chi flows smoothly into the next, which keeps the body in constant motion. It is known as a “soft” martial art, in which deep relaxation of the muscles is paramount. This is in contrast to “hard” martial arts that emphasize a certain degree of muscle tension. During tai chi, the practitioner breathes deeply and blocks out distracting thoughts.

There are 13 standard movements, although dozens of others also may be used. In addition, there are five distinct styles of tai chi – Chen, Yang, Sun, Wu and Hao.

Many practitioners believe that a vital energy known as “qi” (pronounced “chee” and sometimes spelled “chi”) is found in all living things, and that it plays a crucial role in heath and disease. Tai chi promotes good healthy by changing the flow of qi inside a person that promotes good health, according to this theory. Proponents believe tai chi offers many health benefits, including facilitating gas exchange in the lungs and aiding the work of the digestive system.