Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention.

Stay Vertical, Calaveras is a Fall Prevention Program that provides FREE Tai Chi classes throughout Calaveras County.

Classes will follow COVID-safe guidelines with masks and social distancing!

Each unit goes for 16 classes and participants are expected to complete all 16 classes.

ABOUT TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS AND FALL PREVENTION

Compiled by Master Trainer Robin Malby 

Tai Chi for Arthritis is a Tai Chi for Health Program designed in 1996 by Dr. Paul Lam and a team of Tai Chi and Medical experts. It is now endorsed by many Arthritis Foundations worldwide, the CDC, the National Council on Aging and the Administration on Aging as one of their highest level evidence based programs for health promotion and disease prevention. An emphasis on falls prevention was added into the program as a national focus on falls prevention continued to develop. This program has since been referred to as Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention (TCAFP). Since practicing Tai Chi builds overall strength and balance in the body it was a natural choice to emphasize for falls prevention.

TCAFP is based on Sun Style Tai Chi, an authentic and traditional tai chi style containing 96 forms (movements) in the long form, 73 in the Sun 73 Competition form and 30 movements (combining TCA Part One and TCA Part Two) in Dr. Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis for falls prevention program. TCA Part One contains twelve Sun Style Tai Chi movements that reverse to the opposite side for a total of 24 movements. (forms) All high- risk moves have been eliminated and the program can be practiced sitting as well as standing and moving. Sun Style Tai Chi uses gentle, flowing movements to increase muscular strength, protect joints, and improve balance and flexibility along with improved heart/lung activity.

Scientific studies have also shown this program to relieve pain/stiffness, improve physical function, range of motion and lower stress and blood pressure. Evidence based research demonstrates this program is effective in building strength, balance, reducing pain and falls, and enhancing relaxation. Participants report developing better balance, greater confidence in movement and an improved quality of life.

The program incorporates basic Tai Chi principles of slow and continuous movement, upright posture, loosening of the joints and mindfulness of weight transference. It is a safe and effective program for nearly all ages, populations and health conditions.