Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention combines slow movement, deep breathing, and focused intention to help people improve strength, balance and posture while helping prevent falls.

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention helps people with or without arthritis to improve balance, both mentally and physically, which helps significantly reduce the rate of falls experienced by older adults.

Other benefits include improving relaxation, vitality, posture, and improved immune system. Studies have shown that tai chi can reduce falls by nearly 70%. The program focuses on confidence building, which is linked closely to the reduced rate of falling. This program is offered for 16 hours in a variety of formats.Taichi1

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention is led by a certified instructor, with each session including:

  • Warm-up and cool-down exercises
  • One or two movements per lesson, progressively leading to completing six basic core movements and six advanced extension movements
  • Breathing techniques
  • Tai chi principles relating to improving physical and mental balance

Learn More

Would you like to learn more about MSU Extension's falls prevention programming? Visit our falls prevention page or MSU Extension's other falls prevention program, A Matter of Balance.

Want to find a falls prevention class near you? Visit your county's MSU Extension's page.

Do you know if your home is free of fall hazards? Check out the CDC's "Check for Safety" brochure to learn how you can help prevent falls in your own home. 


Curious what an MSU Extension tai chi class is like? Check out these seated and standing tai chi warmups from MSU Extension instructors Carlee Wasik and Anita Carter.

Seated and Standing Tai Chi Warmups

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