Fall session meets from 1:30PM-3:00PM on Tuesdays/Thursdays, beginning November 5th, and ending December 17th (no class held on Thanksgiving Day).
Tai Chi Prime is a six-week, evidence-based class series that meets twice per week for 90 minutes, and which has been proven to reduce the risk of falling. Published research has shown that participants had significant improvement in cognitive skills, balance, strength, and mobility. Classes feature coaching instruction in tai chi and qi gong basics, home practice strategizing and coaching, DVDs for home practice, and a library of exercises to embed into your activities of daily living.
A unique feature of Tai Chi Prime is that all participants have a chair by their side to touch for balance when needed. This helps them balance for longer and develop increased leg strength and good postural alignment, two key ingredients for improving balance.
Classes are 90 minutes and meet two times per week for six weeks. Participants practice at home with DVDs and practice Fab Four Basic Moves for Balance during ordinary activities such as brewing coffee, washing dishes, or waiting for anything.
Unlike most tai chi classes in which participants follow the leader the entire time, Tai Chi Prime utilizes a variety of teaching modalities to support independent learning and foster a sense of community.
Each class includes standing classroom-style movement instruction, qi gong and group discussions while seated in a circle, and informal teatime. The curriculum intertwines learning and reflection, movement and stillness, analysis and intuitive experience, and listening and sharing.
Each class session follows a similar format and includes:
- Orientation to the day, questions/answers from last session (5 min).
- Warm-ups for flexibility and strength and Basic Moves instruction (building blocks for learning TCF Short Form) (20–30 min).
- Informal teatime: Exercise break, conversation, community building. (10 min).
- Seated activities: Qi gong instruction, home practice coaching, group discussion on a range of topics (20–30 min).
- TCF Short Form (instruction in a simplified Yang Style form) (20–25 min).
- Reminders for home practice, next class preview and Group Circle (5 min).
Presenter: Dr. Susan Layfield is a Physical Therapist and Certified Tai Chi Instructor. She obtained her Physical Therapy degree from CSUN and her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from USC. In addition, she is a Certified Orthopedic Specialist. She has a passion for assisting seniors in fulfilling a healthy lifestyle that includes balance stability and fall prevention. A physical therapy practice owner for many years, Dr. Layfield is now enjoying promoting senior fitness, balance stability, and the prevention of falls through her experience as a physical therapist and tai chi instructor.
Registration: The fee for this course is $360 ($30/session), and includes printed materials and a DVD. To register, or for more information, please call (818) 961-5353, or email us at info@q4-active.com.
Reviews
“The pace was perfect – the teaching was very careful & precise. Good individual guidance. The other participants were delightful – I will miss them”
“… the quality of the instruction was tops!”
“The DVD helps so very much for home practice.”