Embark on a Healthful New Year Journey with Tai Chi
For Immediate Release Please
Date: January 15, 2024
Program Contact: Nina Zeldin, Healthy Acadia, nina@healthyacadia.org, (207) 479-1206
Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, Healthy Acadia, tracey@healthyacadia.org, (207) 667-7171
Embark on a Healthful New Year Journey with Tai Chi
For many, the new year brings a fresh commitment to incorporating more activities that support our overall health and well-being. Healthy Acadia wants to help more community members discover the many health benefits of tai chi practice.
A low-impact exercise that combines slow, fluid movements, mindful breathing, and mental focus, tai chi is often referred to as a moving meditation because it emphasizes the integration of mind and body, improves overall physical and mental well-being, and promotes a sense of calm and relaxation for people of all ages and fitness levels. Regular tai chi practice has been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved balance and flexibility, reduced stress and anxiety, lowered blood pressure, improved immune function, relief of chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, and improved cognitive function.
Healthy Acadia’s tai chi instructors are certified through the Tai Chi for Health Institute, founded in 2010 by Dr. Paul Lam and colleagues to empower people to improve their health and wellness with Tai Chi for Health classes. Tai Chi for Health classes introduce participants to gentle low-impact exercise routines that promote improved health by integrating both mind and body. The program is recommended by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Council on Aging and endorsed by governmental health departments around the world.
Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health classes meet for one hour per week for eight weeks and are offered free of charge, though donations are suggested and appreciated. Pre-registration is required. Their Winter-Spring 2024 lineup of classes is as follows:
In-person courses:
Tai Chi for Beginners, Mondays, February 12 - April 8, 2024*, 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Ellsworth Public Library River View Room. *No class on February 19. Comprised of qigong and Yang-style mind-body exercises, this course will introduce movements from the Yang 24 for, currently the most practiced tai chi set in the world. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin
Beginners Tai Chi for Health, Tuesdays, January 23 - March 12, 2024, 11 a.m. to noon, MDI YMCA. This program is recognized by the USA CDC as being a top-tiered evidence-based program for improving balance, strength, and confidence. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin
Beginners Tai Chi for Health, Saturdays, April 6 - May 25, 2024, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Women for Rural Living, Milbridge. This program is recognized by the USA CDC as being a top-tiered evidence-based program for improving balance, strength, and confidence. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin
Online courses:
Intermediate Yang 24 and 40 forms, Mondays, February 5- April 1, 2024*, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. *No class on February 19. This course is most appropriate for people familiar with Yang Style tai chi. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin
Intermediate Sun 73, Mondays, February 5 - April 1, 2024*, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. *No class on February 19. It is most appropriate for people familiar with Sun Style tai chi. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin
Beginner Tai Chi for Arthritis and Tai Chi for Arthritis 2, Tuesdays, February 6 - March 26, 2024, 2 to 3 p.m. This course is most appropriate for those familiar with the Tai Chi for Arthritis program and who are looking for a new challenge. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin
Beginner Yang 24, Wednesdays, February 7 - March 27, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m. This course will introduce movements from the Yang 24 form, currently the most practiced tai chi form in the world. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin
Beginner Tai Chi for Balance and Recovery, Wednesdays, February 7 - March 27, 2024, 2 to 3 p.m. Composed of gentle Sun, Yang, and Chen style movements, anyone can learn this program to help alleviate stress and tiredness, improve mind-body balance, and recovery from injury. Course instructor: Annette Plank
Beginner Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention, Saturdays, February 3 - March 23, 2024, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. This program is recognized by the USA CDC as being a top-tiered, evidence-based program for improving balance, strength, and confidence. While especially effective for arthritis, this program is appropriate for anyone who wants to improve their health and wellness. Course instructor: Annette Plank
Visit bit.ly/ha-tai-chi to register for any of Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health classes. Once your registration is complete, you will receive the login information (for online classes) via the email address you provided. For more information, please contact Nina Zeldin at (207) 479-1206 or nina@healthyacadia.org.
Healthy Acadia is a 501c3 nonprofit community health organization working to build vibrant communities and make it easier for all people to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s health initiatives, visit www.healthyacadia.org.
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