--- title: What is Tai Chi? description: Tai Chi is considered a martial art because its very precise form of practice trains you to move through highly coordinated motion. image: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/xP3qmMuQHzPZBYC2IRomaHJJJHO0JnxlCmPK6pxzOq8mtEfV--Py24iFc7s7ODjrwB4FFsY6o1B4l0NZgI1i130CZnRdV5wocXM-KjFiooVZT3WV4yh07fpCsNThGjEGjO6CZZ18lun3c6RDHJ-bClU --- [![](https://usfhp2.knockmedia.dev/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/logo-1.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) - [About Us](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Events & Webinars](https://usfhp.net/events-and-webinars/) - [Contact Us](https://usfhp.net/contact/) [Members](https://member.usfhp.net/) [Providers](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Member FAQs](https://usfhp.net/member-faqs/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Become a Member](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Eligibility](https://usfhp.net/eligibility/) - [Health Benefit Consultants](https://usfhp.net/health-benefit-consultants) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Tricare Prime Coverage](https://usfhp.net/tricare-prime-coverage/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [For Members](https://usfhp.net/members/) - [Members Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) - [Plan Benefits](https://usfhp.net/plan-benefits/) - [Care Management Program](https://usfhp.net/care-management-program/) - [Health Centers](https://usfhp.net/health-centers/) - [Providers](https://usfhp.net/providers/) - [For Providers](https://usfhp.net/for-providers/) - [Providers Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Webinars](https://usfhp.net/webinars/) - [Contact](https://usfhp.net/contact/) - [Enrollment](https://usfhp.net/enrollment/) - [About](https://usfhp.net/about/) - [Provider Login](https://provider.usfhp.net/) - [Member Login](https://member.usfhp.net/) ### Contact - - - # Weekly Health Tips # What is Tai Chi? Posted by [USFHP](https://blog.usfhp.net/author/usfhp) on Apr 12, 2023 12:45:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) **![Gemini_Generated_Image_dvonp0dvonp0dvon](https://blog.usfhp.net/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini_Generated_Image_dvonp0dvonp0dvon.png?width=1292&height=727&name=Gemini_Generated_Image_dvonp0dvonp0dvon.png)** Image Credit: [Kali](https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/kali9) Tai Chi Chuan “太極拳”, which means ‘supreme ultimate’ boxing or fist, originated as a martial art in 12th-century China. Tai Chi is considered a martial art because its very precise form of practice trains you to move through highly coordinated motion. While it may be tempting to perform the form quickly, it does not help achieve the coordination necessary to perform Tai Chi in a martial context. Often, critical details are overlooked when Tai Chi is done without patience.  Combined with meditation and breathing techniques, it involves slow, powerful movements. Tai chi is also referred to as "moving meditation" due to its constant precise motion. Many practitioners believe that there is an energy flowing through the human body, called qi (pronounced "chee") and that Tai Chi helps with the flow of qi within one's body.  [Research](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/tai-chi-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=A%202019%20review%20of%206,and%20increase%20quality%20of%20life.) has shown that Tai Chi may help improve the following: - Balance - Strength  - Breathing - Flexibility  - Heart and Lung Function  - Mental Health We are happy to include Tai Chi classes for our members as part of the USFHP TRICARE Prime **Enhanced Benefits** - **Wellness Reimbursement**! Tai Chi can be included in your weekly schedule as often as you like. Although it is recommended to do Tai Chi regularly in the morning, some individuals may choose to practice before bedtime to enhance better sleep. Maintaining a consistent workout schedule will greatly promote overall health.  The USFHP Primary Health Care Plan provides routine doctor's visits, hospitalization, prescription coverage, preventative health care coverage, and specialty care. We’ve also developed incentive programs that reward our members for meeting certain health goals. We make it a priority to keep our services simple, enhanced, and innovative because we always go the extra mile for you. At USFHP, we’re family! Visit [usfhp.net](https://www.usfhp.net/) or call 1-800- 241-4848. We’re available to assist you Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST). Topics: [exercise](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/exercise), [tai chi](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/tai-chi), [martial arts](https://blog.usfhp.net/topic/martial-arts) [![](http://usfhp2.test/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Group-1774.png)](https://blog.usfhp.net/) To provide the highest quality health care for uniformed services family members, retirees, and their family members. - - - [Contact Us](https://blog.usfhp.net/) [Member's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Provider Quick Links - About - Resources - FAQs - Videos [Provider's Portal](https://blog.usfhp.net/) Member Quick Links - [Enroll](http://usfhp2.test/enrollment/) - Benefits - Locations - Webinars --- TRICARE is a registered trademark of the Department of Defense, Defense Health Agency. ©2022 All rights reserved. website by [knockmedia](https://knockmedia.com)