Tai Chi Easy For Life

 

Eckerd College OLLI Program 

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Balance and Fall Prevention: Tai Chi and Qigong

   

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese exercise that can help older adults improve their balance and lower their fall risk. Reducing risk of falls, seniors can lower their odds of suffering a debilitating fractures. Tai Chi combines the physical components needed to stay upright—leg strength, flexibility, range of motion, and reflexes—all of which tend to decline with age. “The slow, deliberate footwork brings more awareness to the soles of the feet, not only in terms of touch sensitivity of foot to the floor, but also in awareness to changes in the ankle angle and weight distribution." Because you are constantly shifting your weight back and forth, you get more familiar with being able to balance in a number of different positions. "It's like practicing tightrope walking on the ground." You are practicing your balance and you are teaching your body to be more sensitive and have greater strength.”

 

This program begins with a 1-hour INTRODUCTION, followed by a "Ten Week Series" teaching Balance & Fall Prevention, Twelve Move Tai Chi Easy For Life and the Qigong Practices of "The Eight Silk Brocades", Wuji Swimming Dragon, Zhan Zhuang (Standing Pole), Three Intentful Corrections with much more...

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If you are at or approaching the booming 65+ population, this knowledge can and will provide a lifelong "wellness program" designed to transition from old often painful and dangerous exercises to gentle movements with deep diaphragmatic breathing and focused intention revealing former secrets from ancients now being lauded and advised by leading Medical Authorities such as Harvard Medical, The Cleveland Clinic, The National Institute of Health, The Mayo Clinic and hundreds of medical journals and publications. 

 

Important Note: ​

                                  "NEW"

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2024

An Introduction to Balance & Fall Prevention with Tai Chi & Qigong

Wednesday 9/25/24  10:30-11:30am  

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Balance & Fall Prevention:  Tai Chi & Qigong

Wednesdays -10 Week Series   10:30-11:30am

10/2/2024 through 12/11/2024  (No class 11/27/2024)

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2025

An Introduction to Balance & Fall Prevention with Tai Chi & Qigong

Wednesday 1/22/25  10:30-11:30am

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Balance & Fall Prevention:  Tai Chi & Qigong

Wednesdays -10 Week Series   10:30-11:30am

1/29/2025 through 4/2/2025

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Instructor/Facilitator(s): Gary Israel, Natalie Flank

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                                   Contact (Info & Registration) (727)864-7600

e-mail olliregistrar@eckerd.edu 

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