OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

On this page you will find a variety of other educational program offerings for Living Well... in Southern Oregon. Please get in touch with them directly using the contact information provided.

 Watch this space for future announcements of other
beneficial program offerings in the region.

Tai Chi Classes: Fall Reduction in Frail Elders
Tai Chi Instructors
Strong Women

Tai Chi Classes: Fall Reduction in Frail Elders

The Oregon Research Institute (ORI) and Dr. Fuzhong Li have developed a form of Tai Chi shown to significantly reduce the potential for falls and fractures in frail older adults. The twelve-week series (classes occur twice a week) has been found particularly helpful to individuals over age 70, including wheelchair users. We are contracting with seven well-regarded local Tai Chi instructors who will be paid under the available grant. Please directly contact an instructor listed below for more information. You may also call Sharon Johnson at 776-7371, ext. 210 or email her at s.johnson@oregonstate.edu to arrange for classes on site or initiate instructor contact.

The Benefits of Tai Chi

Tai Chi (pronounced “tie chee”) is an ancient Chinese discipline that integrates mind, body and spirit. Practitioners use meditation and deep breathing as they move through a series of continuous exercises called “forms,” which resemble slow-moving ballet.  It is believed that tai chi, a component of traditional Chinese medicine, increases strength and promotes calm and harmony by improving the flow of internal energy (or qi ) through the body.  

Health benefits:

Tai chi can be used as a preventative health measure, as a way to maintain health or to help with a specific ailment. It is often used as a complementary therapy to a conventional treatment.

• Arthritis:  Strengthens the muscles surrounding an arthritic joint and improves flexibility. Increases range of motion without causing pain.

• Balance: Improves balance and physical confidence and reduces the risk of falling.

• Blood pressure: Lowers blood pressure as much as moderate-intensity aerobic exercises (John Hopkins University study).

• Pain management: Reduced levels of tension and pain and increased ability to self-manage pain (Journal of the American Geriatric Society).

• Stress: As effective as meditation and walking for reducing stress hormones in the body.  “One of the best stress reducers in the human repertoire”. (Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, Robert Sapolsky, Stanford University).  

Source: University of Missouri, Columbia, Tai Chi Academy

Tai Chi Instructors Available through Administration on Aging grant

Strong Women
Instructors: Tufts University Trained Program Leaders -- Sue Rode, Jane Schlacht, Yolanda Gentile; sponsored by Sharon Johnson

A Tufts University program developed by Dr. Marion Nelson is offering daily strength training classes. Women (and men) participate in 45-minutes to 1 hour of prescribed strength training routines using free weights and leg weights, which are provided as part of the cost of the class. Participants in these classes have realized improvements in endurance, balance, flexibility and overall strength.

DATES:              On-going classes -- Daily M-F
TIME/ COST:     MWF 12:15 pm $35/8 weeks, TTH 8:30 am $30/8 weeks
LOCATION:        OSU Extension Auditorium, 569 Hanley Road, Central Point

Note: Participants who continue to take the 8-week series pay $15 (MWF) and $10 (TTH) for 8-weeks of training after their first 8 weeks. Additional leaders have been trained and other Strong Women programs can be held throughout the valley if facilities are available. If you want a class near you, we have leaders if you have locations.