T’ai chi ch’uan is a system of personal development. Through the practice of t’ai chi we establish equilibrium and harmony, physically, mentally and spiritually: We enhance and restore our physical health; we break the hold of patterned, habitual mental behavior; and we develop sensitivity to the energies around us, be they gentle and harmless or aggressive and hurtful, in so doing, we prepare for ourselves a greater degree of self-awareness and self-protection.