Febuary 2007 Vol. 26. No. 2

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

A new look to Senior News
Medicare Rx extensions
Living with arthritis
Fortuna seniors
Where will you live?
Think About It - food is power

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Tai Chi is one of the most beneficial exercises you can do for arthritis. Currently it it practiced by 300 million people in all corners of the world. The slow, gentle circular movements of Tai Chi provide protection of the joints, improved mobility and relief from pain and stiffness.

There are two main objectives of Tai Chi for arthritis:

1. to maintain or improve range of movement of joints, and
2. to improve muscular strength, since muscles protect the joints.

If you improve muscle strength and tone, it provides built-in protection to the joints. If muscle is kept strong, weight kept down and good posture maintained, much of the pain and damage of arthritis can be prevented.

Tai Chi exercises the entire body, is easy and inexpensive to learn and is suitable for almost anyone. The movements are especially helpful to seniors in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and fitness.

Students also learn how to raise their own endorphin levels, offsetting the chronic pain of arthritis. The movements can be modified - sometimes they are done sitting down in a chair if necessary.

I have been teaching Tai Chi for 19 years and have completed my second level of certification in Tai Chi for Arthritis with Dr. Paul Lam of Australia. Lam and his simplied form of Tai Chi for Arthritis are currently endorsed by the American Arthritis Association.

I am also certified in Tai Chi for Diabetes, a form that is designed to help students balance their blood sugar levels without fear of spiking the insulin from over-exertion.

Both Tai Chi for arthritis and for diabetes are specifically designed for students with those conditions, but are also good forms of Tai Chi for anyone to learn.

Glenda Hesseltine is leading a number of Tai Chi for arthrisis classes in Eureka and Arcata, called Tai Chi made EZ.
Call her at 268-3936, or e-mail gkhesseltine@yahoo.com or www.taichiforeveryone.net.