Tai Chi at Learning Fields at Chaffee Crossing

Learning Fields to offer Tai Chi The Learning Fields’ beautiful and peaceful open-air environment will be the setting for an eight-week series of Tai Chi sessions beginning April 10, at 10 a.m. for registration and orientation and the first class to start April 17, at 10;00 am. Tai Chi is recognized as a program to relieve chronic pain and stress and improve flexibility and relaxation. Each session of Tai Chi in the Gardens will last about one hour. The program is free and open to the public. Participants will be encouraged to help support The Learning Fields with donations. The program will be taught by Cindy Cole, volunteer for the Center on Aging and a certified instructor through the National Arthritis Foundation. For more than 25 years, Dr. Paul Lam, a physician in Sydney Australia, has been recognized as a world leader in the field of Tai Chi for health improvement. Early on, he recognized that he was experiencing the early signs of osteoarthritis and decided to take up Tai Chi–a traditional Chinese therapy for arthritis. In 1997, he began sharing his experience with others. Working with a group of Tai Chi and medical experts, he developed the Twelve-Movements of Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) program. The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) is a non-clinical group recreational activity developed by the National Arthritis Foundation. The movements can be done while sitting or using a chair for support. Sun Tai Chi provides a safe and interesting program that is easy to learn, at any age and physical condition. Even with no prior knowledge, Tai Chi is recognized for relief from pain and stiffness and improving flexibility, fitness, posture, muscle strength, tranquility and improving function of body and mind. –Leslye Buol