Kick Off the New Year with Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi Classes – A Fun and Engaging Way to Start a New Healthy Habit
For Immediate Release Please
Date: January 2, 2025
Program Contact: Nina Zeldin, Healthy Acadia, nina@healthyacadia.org, (207) 479-1206
Media Contact: Tracey Carlson, Healthy Acadia, tracey@healthyacadia.org, (207) 667-7171
Kick Off the New Year with Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi Classes – A Fun and Engaging Way to Start a New Healthy Habit
As we usher in the new year, there's no better time to embrace a healthy habit that’s fun, engaging, and great for your well-being—Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health classes are the perfect way to get started. Healthy Acadia is excited to kick off 2025 with a lineup of Tai Chi for Health classes designed to help community members embrace a fun and engaging way to stay active. With the many health benefits of tai chi practice, including reduced stress, improved balance, and increased flexibility, these classes offer an excellent opportunity for people of all ages and fitness levels to experience a fresh start in the new year.
A low-impact exercise that combines slow, fluid movements, mindful breathing, and mental focus, tai chi is often referred to as a moving meditation because it emphasizes the integration of mind and body, improves overall physical and mental well-being, and promotes a sense of calm and relaxation for people of all ages and fitness levels. Regular tai chi practice has been associated with numerous health benefits, including improved balance and flexibility, reduced stress and anxiety, lowered blood pressure, improved immune function, relief of chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, and improved cognitive function.
Healthy Acadia’s tai chi instructors are certified through the Tai Chi for Health Institute, founded in 2010 by Dr. Paul Lam and colleagues with the purpose of empowering people to improve their health and wellness with Tai Chi for Health classes. Tai Chi for Health classes introduce gentle low-impact exercise routines that promote improved health through the integration of both mind and body. The program is recommended by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Council on Aging and endorsed by governmental health departments around the world.
Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health classes meet for one hour per week for eight weeks and are offered free of charge, though donations are suggested and appreciated. Pre-registration is required. Their Winter 2025 lineup of classes is as follows:
In-person courses:
Yang 24 Forms, Mondays, January 27 to March 17, 2025, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Healthy Acadia’s 77 Beechland Road Office, Ellsworth. Comprised of qigong and Yang-style mind-body exercises, this course will introduce movements from the Yang 24 form, currently the most practiced tai chi set in the world. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Beginners Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention, Tuesdays, February 11 to April 1, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Healthy Acadia’s 77 Beechland Road Office, Ellsworth. This program is recognized by the USA CDC as being a highest-tiered evidence-based program for improving balance, strength, flexibility, and confidence. While especially effective for arthritis, this program is appropriate for anyone who wants to improve their health and wellness. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Beginners Tai Chi for Life, Tuesdays, February 11 to April 1, 2025, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Healthy Acadia’s 77 Beechland Road Office, Ellsworth. Tai Chi for Life is a great introduction to tai chi exercise, with an emphasis on improving emotional and physical balance and relaxation. Experienced tai chi practitioners will enjoy the flow of this short set. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Tai Chi for Beginners, Wednesdays, December 4, 2024, to February 5, 2025, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Ellsworth Public Library River View Room, Ellsworth. No class on December 25, 2024 & January 1, 2025. This program is recognized by the USA CDC as being a highest-tiered evidence-based program for improving balance, strength, flexibility, and confidence. While especially effective for arthritis, this program is appropriate for anyone who wants to improve their health and wellness. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Online courses:
Intermediate Yang 24 & 40 forms, Mondays, January 27 to March 17, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This course is most appropriate for people familiar with Yang Style tai chi. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Intermediate Sun 73, Mondays, January 27 to March 17, 2025, 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Most appropriate for people familiar with Sun-style tai chi. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Beginners Tai Chi for Arthritis & Tai Chi for Arthritis 2, Tuesdays, January 28 to March 18, 2025, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. This course is most appropriate for those familiar with the Tai Chi for Arthritis program and who are looking for a new challenge. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Beginners Yang 24, Wednesdays, January 29 to March 19, 2025, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. This course will introduce movements from the Yang 24 form, currently the most practiced tai chi form in the world. Course instructor: Nina Zeldin.
Beginners Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention, Wednesdays, January 22 to March 12, 2025, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This program is recognized by the USA CDC as being a highest-tiered evidence-based program for improving balance, strength, flexibility, and confidence. While especially effective for arthritis, this program is appropriate for anyone who wants to improve their health and wellness. Course instructor: Annette Plank.
Visit bit.ly/ha-tai-chi to register for any of Healthy Acadia’s Tai Chi for Health classes. Once your registration is complete, you will receive the login information (for online classes) via the email address you provided. For more information, please contact Nina Zeldin at (207) 479-1206 or nina@healthyacadia.org.
Healthy Acadia is a 501c3 nonprofit community health organization working to build vibrant communities and make it easier for all people to lead healthy lives throughout Washington and Hancock counties, Maine. For more information about Healthy Acadia’s health initiatives, visit www.healthyacadia.org.
###