Hello Tai Chi Friends
We are pleased to announce that Tai Chi classes will now be offered online through Zoom on Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. starting June 15.
Tai chi is known at the “supreme ultimate exercise” in China. It was first used as a martial art to train ancient Chinese warriors who were renowned for their strength, stamina, focus and concentration. In the last 200 years, a modified version of Tai chi for health has been developed which is intended for people of any age who are interested in improving their physical and mental health. Today Tai chi in China is practiced on a regular basis at home, in parks and even on street corners. There are many different styles of Tai chi. The style offered at Advance Physical Therapy in called Sun Style. It was modified by Dr. Paul Lam, an Australian family physician and Tai chi master, so that people around the world could use the gentle Tai chi movements to improve their health and well-being.
In 2010, Dr. Lam created the Tai Chi for Health Institute which trains teachers and provides many resources for students at his website: https://taichiforhealthinstitute.org
Zoom is an easy-to-use way to access group meetings online. If you do not already have Zoom on your computer or tablet, such as an iPad. You can download the free Zoom program from the App Store or sign up on the internet at the address: Zoom.us
Please register for each class at least 24 hours ahead by emailing the teacher, Joanne Marshall, at marshall@ils.unc.edu. Joanne will send an email invitation to registrants containing a link to join the class on the evening before the class. If you have any questions you can email Joanne or call or text her at (919) 280-8311. Everyone is welcome including newcomers. The first class for newcomers is free. After that, you can buy a 5-class pass for $45 by contacting the Advance Physical Therapy office at (919) 932-7266. If you already have a pass, you can use it up before buying a new pass from the office.
Future additions to the blog will feature information on the specific benefits or Tai chi and the results of clinical studies.
Joanne Marshal
Tai chi teacher
Certified TCHI, RYT500
MHSc, PhD (Health Sciences)
Joanne Marshall has been certified as a Tai Chi instructor by Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Health Institute and as a Yoga instructor by the Yoga Alliance. She has taught classes in Chapel Hill for over 20 years at UNC, the Ackland Art Museum and the YMCA. In her academic career as a medical librarian and professor she has had a continuing interest in how people seek and use health information for greater well-being. Joanne is dedicated to helping students increase their strength and mobility through evidence-based mind/body practices. Tai chi has been shown to be effective for strengthening bones, improving balance and helping to calm and focus the mind. The continuous slow movement through the joints provided by Tai Chi is recommended by the Arthritis Society as an effective way to promote lifelong bone and joint health.
