This study examined whether the integration of the Taoist philosophy of health into Tai Chi teaching interventions has made a difference in students' health beliefs, which in turn contributed to changes in their exercise phase and positive mood and sleep quality. A total of 50 students (21 males, age 20.95 ± 2.06 years; 29 females, age 20.24 ± 1.19 years) were enrolled in the tai chi course. A single-group pre and post-test design was used to investigate whether the difference in exercise behavioral stages due to improved health beliefs improved their positive emotions and sleep quality after the health course intervention using the Transtheoretical model Exercise Stage Questionnaire, Positive Emotion Questionnaire, and Sleep Quality Questionnaire. The results of the study showed that: (1) The health beliefs were significantly improved in the perceived threat of disease and action clues, but not in the exercise behavior stage, and there was no significant improvement in sleep quality and positive emotion after the health maintenance tai chi program. (2) If the behavioral stages were divided into three groups (progress group, maintenance group, and regression group), there were only significant differences in the perceived threat of disease in the progress group and the maintenance group. However, there was no improvement in sleep quality and positive emotion. This study concludes that the health beliefs are enhanced after the wellness program but are not reflected in the changes in the actual exercise phase and therefore have a limited effect on improving physical and mental status. In addition to health education, the association between exercise and health should be strengthened to enhance motivation for exercise.
