If these lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer are sending you to the recliner with a sweet tea instead of motivating you to exercise, you’re not alone. The good news is you can do something healthy for both mind and body without breaking a sweat.
Tai Chi for Arthritis is a gentle, graceful form of exercise that feels more like a moving meditation than a workout. While Tai Chi began in 17th-century China as a martial art for combat and self-defense, today it’s practiced around the world for a very different reason: helping people move with greater confidence, strength, and ease.
Often called “meditation in motion,” Tai Chi combines slow, flowing movements with deep breathing and focused attention. Over time, participants report better balance, stronger muscles, less stress, and looser joints. And that’s only the beginning. Decades of research have shown Tai Chi can help prevent falls, sharpen thinking, lower blood pressure, reduce pain, and improve overall wellbeing.
Tai Chi for Arthritis has been recognized by many national organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation and the Administration for Community Living, as safe and effective. It’s a low-impact exercise that requires no equipment, can be practiced indoors or outdoors, with others or on your own.
Ready to give it a try? A Tai Chi for Arthritis class begins Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Maury River Senior Services in Buena Vista. Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. and are led by a certified Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) Tai Chi instructor. All movements are done in an upright position and may be adapted for participants who need to remain seated. The physical exertion level of Tai Chi for Arthritis is similar to that of walking. All levels of Tai Chi experience are warmly welcomed. No experience is necessary.
Participation is free, but registration is required. Visit vpas.info/health-andwellness-programs to register, or call (540) 261-7474.
