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Tai Chi

What Tai Chi Is
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice of slow, flowing movements that reduces stress and promotes proper breathing, relaxation and balance.

The focus is on concentration, breathing, alignment, weight-shifting and relaxation — all in the present moment. It's based on the ancient Taoist concept of yin and yang, or the pursuit of balance in all things, starting with our own body mind spirit.

What Tai Chi Does

• Increases flow and quality of energy throughout the body. Excellent for helping to decrease fatigue.
• Strengthens the immune system which helps the body better heal itself.
• Promotes relaxation, relieves stress and anxiety, through learning how to breathe properly and focus on the present moment.
• Enhances mental clarity, calmness and patience with ourselves, as well as stimulates the power of spirit to aid in healing.
• With practice, it can increase flexibility and balance, and decrease pain with such conditions as migraines, back problems, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia.

It's for all ages and all fitness levels. There is no pressure or stress on any joints, ligaments or muscles. Tai Chi is one of the few things in life that actually gets better the slower you do it. It's a wonderful discipline for promoting healthy minds and bodies in this increasingly fast-paced world.

See "THE FORM" for more information about the style Arlene teaches.

TAI CHI CLASSES

• Beginning Tai Chi
• Intermediate Tai Chi
• Tai Chi for Arthritis

3 LOCATIONS IN
Chicago, Evanston

• HEARTWOOD CENTER
  Evanston, IL
• CENTER FOR WHOLE HEALTH
  Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, IL
• STELLARIA NATURAL HEALTH
  Chicago, IL

NEWS: Feature story
"Increase Energy via Balanced Movement" (PDF) Reprinted by permission of LifeTimes, a publication of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois