Amherst, NH Parks & Recreation
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Tai Chi

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Amherst Recreation is excited to offer Tai Chi Easy™ this spring. Class will be held at Clark Elementary School in the multi-purpose room with experienced instructor Susan Flanagan. (More information about the class can be found below)

Tai Chi has been described in Harvard Medical Publication '09 as " "meditation in motion," but it might as well be called "medication in motion"..." It is considered a staple fitness pracitce for seniors, but it also offers long-term  benefits for all age groups.

In this low-impact, slow-motion exercise, you go without pausing through a
series of motions named for animal actions. Tai chi improves muscle strength, flexibility and balance, and research studies have found that the practice increased mineral bone density, boosted endurance,  strengthened the lower body, and eased depression.

Who: Adults of all ages and abilities
What:Tai Chi Easy™ 
When: Wednesdays 4:00-5:00pm
Where: Clark Elementary School, 14 Foundry Street
Class size is limited to 12 participants, and must have 4 to run the program.

Join Susan on Wednesdays and try it for yourself!



 



 


More about Susan Flanagan
After more than 30 years of varied exercise and fitness classes , Susan discovered tai chi. She was attracted to its flowing forms and its obvious health benefits. When she had trouble finding a local class to advance her studies, she looked for a format and style to suit her specific needs.

Susan received certification in the Tai Chi Easy™ program through a week-long workshop with Dr. Roger Janke. She is also certified in Therapeutic Qigong with Dr. Aihan Kuhn, and Tai Chi for Arthritis (the Arthritis Foundation-sanctioned form developed by Dr. Paul Lam), as well as Tai Chi for Fall Prevention and Tai Chi for Chronic Conditions. She has led tai chi and qigong classes locally in health clubs, wellness centers and rehab centers. She is also CPR certified and has a master’s degree in secondary education. She currently teaches English at the Adult Learning Center in Nashua.

Tai Chi Easy™
What is Tai Chi Easy™?

Specifically, Tai Chi Easy™ is a mind-body wellness program that mixes ancient Chinese exercises (qigong), with gentle t’ai chi chuan (the martial art) movements, meditation, self-massage and breathing practice. Participants may stand throughout, unless they prefer being seated, and follow the practice leader’s simple movements at their own pace. There is no jumping, hopping, running or contorting of bodies. It is a low impact, simple-to-follow program suitable for people of all fitness levels. The documented benefits are reduced stress and improved balance, coordination, flexibility, muscle toning and strengthening.

Tai Chi Easy™ may be the best place to start an exploration of tai chi and qigong. It would be especially beneficial for people with health challenges (balance issues, leg weakness, joint pain, shortness of breath). It serves as an introduction to mind-body practices since it includes dimensions of breath work and self-massage. It would also be a natural warm-up to the class that immediately follows it.

* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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