Tai Ji Quan is an all-sided exercise, which not only builds up one's limbs and trunk through various movements, but also strengthens one's inner organs and central nervous system by wielding slow, deep abdominal breathing and concentrating one's thought. It is considered, and has proved to be, a good healing and health-promoting exercise. It produces both physical and mental effects on preventing and dispelling illness. In China, Tai Ji Quan has been applied as a supplementary means in many hospitals and sanitariums, wherein some patients are taught the exercise to help them cure their sickness or speed their recovery.

Why can Tai Ji Quan prevent and cure illness? According to the Yin-Yang theory and traditional Chinese medicine, the reason why we fall ill is because we have lost the harmony and balance of Yin and Yang. One of Tai Ji Quan's most important effects is the ability to coordinate one's Ying and Yang, keeping the total being in a condition of dynamic equilibrium, both physically and psychologically. Perhaps this may be considered as a general answer to the question.

In recent years, many medical research institutes in China made various scientific researches and experiments on the healing and health-giving effects of Tai Ji Quan. The results of the research show that many diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, gastric ulcers, and other stomach troubles, neurasthenia, and other nervous disorders, consumption, and other respiratory ailments, arthritis, and a many other chronic illnesses, can be cured or alleviated through the regular and long term practice of Tai Ji Quan.

Researchers found that most of the Tai Ji practitioners have a low heart rate and low blood pressure, and that their blood circulation is distinctly improved during practice.

Researchers found that the digestive system is greatly affected by Tai Ji training. This is because Tai Ji practice is matched with slow, deep abdominal breathing, which causes the internal organs to be massaged, and promotes the movement of food through the stomach and intestines, thus making digestion and assimilation of food more effective. As a matter of fact, those who practice Tai Ji Quan daily all have a good appetite.

Researchers found that Tai Ji practice is extremely beneficial to the nervous system. This is because the high degree of concentration of mind in Tai Ji Practice strengthens the central nervous system and stimulates the cerebral cortex, thus helping the brain rest and relieve certain nervous and mental diseases.

Researchers also discovered that Tai Ji practice has a positive effect on increasing the immune system, and on slowing the aging process.

In addition, Tai Ji Quan has proved to be an effective approach to help overweight people, through perseverance, lose their weight properly and better their physical condition. Moreover, Tai Ji's low stances, slow and continuous movements, and constant shifting of weight can help older people increase their ability to keep balance and avoid falls.

As a internal martial art, Tai Ji Quan emphasizes relaxation, softness, and inner quiet. People find the Tai Ji practice creates an overall sense of well-being.

Again, many postures of Tai Ji Quan and wonderful and poetic names, such a "White Crane Spread It's Wings," "Wild Horse Waves Its Mane," "Golden Cock Stands on One Leg," "Fair Lady Works with Shuttles," "Carry Tiger to Mountain," "White Snake Puts Out Its Tongue," etc. These give a clear idea of what one is expected to do, Yes, during practice, one must try to imitate some movements and postures of Nature. This is very interesting; most people enjoy it!

There are some essentials and basic rules of vital importance to Tai Ji Quan which must be understood and strictly observed in practice. They are common to all styles.