Tai Chi Certification Series

Each year, 65 million Americans report experiencing low back pain, 32 million experience osteoarthritis, 3 million older adults are treated for falls, and 25 million Americans live with chronic pain. Others, deal with pulmonary health conditions, physical loss of function, immune compromise, and debilitating anxiety and depression. All of this ends up costing Americans trillions of dollars in medical bills each year. Current research reveals the broad ineffectiveness of long-term pharmaceutical approaches and strongly suggests that successfully treating the multifactorial nature of chronic conditions requires an integrative, holistic approach. Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese exercise method, requiring no special equipment and shown to improve cognitive skills, memory, psychological wellness, strength, flexibility, immune function, and balance; and is now being advocated by the CDC and Harvard Medical School for fall prevention and functional improvement programs.

What this certification series will address:

Tai Chi, which is typified by slow, graceful movements and coordinated breathing has been shown repeatedly in health-related research to enhance physical function, breath capacity, and cardiovascular endurance. It also improves emotional and psychological well-being in people suffering with pulmonary conditions. More than just a movement practice, Tai Chi is also steeped in an ancient philosophy advocating balance and harmony in all areas of life. Tai Chi is a widely recognized mind-body modality and non-pharmacological approach in treating chronic pain conditions. This highly insightful certification has been designed to outline the scientific and physiologic basis of key rehabilitative Tai Chi concepts shown to be effective in remediating neck, shoulder, back and knee pain and dysfunction, and to review the evidence base for validating rehabilitative Tai Chi in the treatment of patients dealing with balance, chronic pain, and pulmonary conditions. Following this certification, professionals will have not only a new tool in their toolbox, but also a powerful new way to empower their clients to help heal themselves.