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Anne Bower has been teaching tai chi for ten years and helping train other teachers for the past five.  Locally, she's a member of the Abbott Memorial Library Board (Pomfret, VT) and volunteers with Bookstock--the local literary festival that happens each summer.   

WHY TAI CHI?   WHY NOT?

More and more studies are showing tai chi's health benefits.

As reported in The New England Journal of Medicine (Feb. 9th, 2012), researchers compared resistance training, stretching and tai chi as therapies for people with mild to moderate Parkinson's disease.  They found that those doing tai chi (twice a week for six weeks) had the greatest improvement in balance and walking, and the lowest incidence of falls.

Here are some useful articles about tai chi's benefits:

October 2015 GreenMedicine website:  http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/scientists-wowed-tai-chis-health-benefits

Sept. 28, 2010 New York Times article:http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/health/28brody.html?_r=1&ref=science

Nov. 26, 2010 U.S. News & World Report article: http:// health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/pain/articles/2010/11/26/for-health-benefits-try-tai-chi.html

Online article from WebMD:  http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/guide/tai-chi-for-arthritis

Mayo Clinic article re Rheumatoid Arthritis-yoga-tai chi:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/expert-answers/can-yoga-or-tai-chi-help-control-rheumatoid-arthritis/faq-20129757/

Here's what the CDC (Center for Disease Control) website lists first under the topic "How can older adults prevent falls?" "Exercise regularly. It is important that the exercises focus on increasing leg strength and improving balance, and that they get more challenging over time. Tai Chi programs are especially good."

Having a well-trained instructor is important--one who teaches appropriate forms in a safe way. Our Vermont organization--Tai Chi Vermont--trains and mentors instructors; it's a collaborative 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  The webpage is  tachivermont.org

What isTai Chi?                

Sometimes called an "internal martial art," tai chi is an exercise system combining disciplined, graceful movements with an invigorating sense of the body and surrounding space. Although the movements are slow, they contain great power.

   TAI CHI FOR FALLS PREVENTION

   TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS 1 & 2

   SUN STYLE: 73 FORMS

   YANG STYLE:  24 FORMS

Why study Tai Chi? 

Clinical studies have shown tai chi improves balance, concentration, and coordination.  It reduces falls, joint pain, and stress.  And tai chi classes are also FUN!!

Classes currently taught, etc.

Anne demonstrates sun style "wave hands in the clouds"

       We try to coordinate hand and foot movements, breathing naturally, learning how to move with continuous flow.....