WNC Tai Chi for Arthritis

11/08/2025

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in January 2010 (Volume 58, Issue 1, Pages 136-141. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02575.x) evaluated the cost-effectiveness of fall prevention programs designed to reduce hip fractures related to falls in older adults. The findings revealed that tai chi stands out as one of the most cost-effective and empowering fall prevention programs for this population.

Both group tai chi and the medical management of psychotropic medications emerged as the least expensive yet impactful interventions for preventing falls. However, it's essential to recognize that the management of psychotropic medications pertains only to a subset of older adults who are prescribed these medications. In contrast, tai chi offers a transformative opportunity for nearly all older adults, allowing them to embrace movement, enhance balance, and cultivate strength.
Come explore the benefits of tai chi on physical and mental well-being during our 2026 Winter Sessions!
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Wednesdays: January 14 – April 29, 2026
1pm-2pm: Beginners Tai Chi for Arthritis
2:15pm-3pm: Intermediate Tai Chi for Arthritis
3:15pm-4pm: Yang 24 Forms

Tai Chi for Diabetes & Chronic Conditions
Tuesdays: January 13 – April 28, 2026
5pm-5:45pm: All Levels

Location: Grace Episcopal Church Asheville
871Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Register: www.wnctaichiarthritis.com
or email: instructor@wnctaichiarthritis.com

11/05/2025

WNC Tai Chi for Arthritis & Tai Chi for Health WNC Tai Chi for Arthritis & Tai Chi for Health Provides competent, committed, certified Tai Chi for Health instructors to enhance your learning experience. Our programs engage participants in evidence based Tai Chi practices to promote and improve healt...

11/05/2025

Tai Chi is a gentle mind body exercise that focuses on building internal and external strength. The CDC recommends Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute’s, Tai Chi for Arthitis and Falls Prevention program to help reduce falls.
The Administration on Aging has rated the program as evidence based to improve health and wellness in older adults.
WNC Tai Chi for Health, and their certified Tai Chi for Health Instructors, bring Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Programs to the people of WNC. Come explore the benefits of tai chi on physical and mental wellbeing during our 2026 Winter Sessions!
Tai Chi for Arthritis
Wednesdays: January 14 – April 29, 2026
1pm-2pm: Beginners Tai Chi for Arthritis
2:15pm-3pm: Intermediate Tai Chi for Arthritis
3:15pm-4pm: Yang 24 Forms

Tai Chi for Diabetes & Chronic Conditions
Tuesdays: January 13 – April 28, 2026
5pm-5:45pm: All Levels

Location: Grace Episcopal Church Asheville
871Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
Register: www.wnctaichiarthritis.com
or email: instructor@wnctaichiarthritis.com

WNC Tai Chi for Arthritis & Tai Chi for Health WNC Tai Chi for Arthritis & Tai Chi for Health Provides competent, committed, certified Tai Chi for Health instructors to enhance your learning experience. Our programs engage participants in evidence based Tai Chi practices to promote and improve healt...

05/18/2025

What is Tai Chi? Some people see Tai Chi as a meditation or spiritual practice, some as an exercise you do in the park, others as a form of relaxation. Some see it as a personal journey toward self-awareness.

Tai chi is one of the most famous Chinese martial arts of the internal style and comes from a tradition over 1000 years old. The Tai Chi for Health program we offer incorporates the learning of both Eastern and Western medicine. It places emphasis on breathing and mindfulness. Movements are soft, fluid, gentle, and graceful. They can be performed seated or standing and even lying down. Visualization and imagination are employed. Breathing is deepened and slowed, aiding visual and mental concentration, and relaxing the body. Tai chi can be practiced by people of any age with any level of fitness. It is low-impact and safe if practiced correctly.

Tai Chi for Health is a program established in 1999 by medical and Tai Chi practitioners to make the practice safe and accessible for all people. It is a gentle mind-body exercise that has been proven through over 30 peer-reviewed medical studies and endorsed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to minimize the risk of falls in older adults, decrease pain, improve sleep, increase joint flexibility, increase cardiovascular fitness, improve mindfulness, and decrease stress. It also improves the functioning of the immune system.

The largest study of this program was conducted by Dr. Leigh Callahan at UNC-CH's Arthritis Research Center and involved folks from Givens Estate. (Leigh F. Callahan, Rebecca J. Cleveland, Mary Altpeter, and Betsy Hackney. Evaluation of Tai Chi Program Effectiveness for People with Arthritis in the Community: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 2016, 24, 101 -110.)

We encourage our participants to follow Poet Mary Oliver's mantra
as we explore our Tai Chi practice:
"Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."

The 8-week Summer Series of Tai Chi for Health Starts:
June 25th - August 13th, every Wednesday
Grace Episcopal Church 871 Merrimon Avenue in the Parish Hall
Beginners’ classes are from 1:00-2:00
Intermediate Classes are from 2:15-3:00
Advanced Classes are from 3:15-4:00

The cost of each 8-week program for NEW participants is $160
New participants with MD or PT prescriptions/referrals $150.
Returning students who have completed one series of classes $130
See you there.

WNC Tai Chi for Arthritis & Tai Chi for Health WNC Tai Chi for Arthritis & Tai Chi for Health Provides competent, committed, certified Tai Chi for Health instructors to enhance your learning experience. Our programs engage participants in evidence based Tai Chi practices to promote and improve healt...

11/17/2024

Tai Chi is a dance, a "moving meditation", "a moving medication", "swimming on land", and a practice to ground your being and expand your soul. Come join us for a 16-week series of Tai Chi for Health Classes for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced Practitioners at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC, on Wednesday afternoons from January 15 to April 30, 2025.
Get details and register now for classes at:
http://wnctaichiarthritis.com