(PRWEB) December 30, 2014

Tai Chi for Health Institute has established an agreement with the Silver&Fit® exercise and healthy aging program to endorse its Tai Chi for Arthritis/Fall Prevention classes to Silver&Fit fitness facilities and members nationwide.Tai Chi for Health is a program that offers a series of evidenced-based tai chi programs endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Through the program, fitness facilities contracted with the Silver&Fit program can endorse tai chi classes suited to different levels of need, from standing to seated classes for older adults, regardless of experience or fitness level. The classes focus on gentle core and extension movements that promote cardiovascular and neuromotor system health, as well as muscle strength and flexibility to help older adults with balance and fall prevention.

According to Ileina Ferrier, Tai Chi for Health master trainer, tai chi originated as a martial art dating back to ancient China. It has evolved toward focusing on the health aspect of inner awareness that incorporates physical movements, mental concentration and relaxed breathing. These elements are evidenced-based to be effective for fall prevention and can make a positive difference in the lives of older adults by helping them achieve a sense of well-being.

“Our goal is to raise awareness that tai chi is a modality that promotes health and wellness,” said Ferrier. “Teaming up with the Silver&Fit program gives us another avenue that allows us to connect with older adults who can benefit from our programs.”

“We’re excited to endorse the Tai Chi for Health experience because it gives facilities the opportunity to offer their members a safe, proven way to enhance their balance and reduce falls,” said Silver&Fit Vice President Brett Hanson.

Since 2007, the Silver&Fit program has offered health plans fitness and health education activities for their Medicare-eligible members and group retirees who join the Silver&Fit program to improve their quality of life and reduce health risks through regular exercise. The program provides eligible members with a fully or partially subsidized fitness membership through a broad network of over 11,000 contracted fitness facilities nationwide, including national chains and YMCAs, as well as smaller, local community exercise centers.

Silver&Fit instructors seeking to teach Tai Chi for Health programs, or organizations wishing to provide Tai Chi for Health classes, may visit the Tai Chi for Health Institute’s website, http://www.tchi.org, for a national listing of instructors and workshops in their area. Inquiries may also be sent to Ileina Ferrier at taichialoha(at)gmail(dot)com or call (734) 558-6283.

About the Tai Chi for Health Institute

The Tai Chi for Health institute was founded in 2009 by Dr. Paul Lam and his colleagues to empower people to improve their health and wellness. In 1998, Dr. Lam, a family physician and tai chi expert, worked with a team of tai chi and medical specialists to create the Tai Chi for Arthritis program. Since then, they have created other Tai Chi for Health programs that have helped millions of people to improve the quality of their lives. Medical studies have shown these programs effective to improve health and quality of life. Many organizations, including the Arthritis Foundation of America, Australia and Singapore; Osteoporosis Australia; Arthritis Care, UK; and universities and governments from different countries support one or all of these programs. In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov) recommended Dr Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis/Fall Prevention program.

About the Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging Program

The Silver&Fit® program is an exercise and healthy aging program providing unique fitness and health education activities for Medicare beneficiaries and group retirees. Silver&Fit members have access to: no-cost or low-cost memberships at a participating, contracted fitness club or exercise center, or to the Silver&Fit Home Exercise program for those who prefer or need to work out at home; SilverandFit.com, a website providing health tools and resources specifically designed for older adults; The Silver Slate® newsletter; and a toll-free customer service hotline. For more information, visit http://www.ASHCompanies.com or call 800-848-3555. Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SilverandFit, YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/silverandfit, Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/silverandfit, Twitter at @SilverandFit and Instagram at @SilverandFit.

The Silver&Fit program is a product of American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH).

About American Specialty Health

American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is one of the nation’s premier independent and privately-owned specialty health services organizations, providing specialty health care networks and programs, fitness and exercise programs and population health solutions for health plans, insurance carriers and employer groups. Operating from offices in San Diego, Calif., Southlake (Dallas), Texas, Carmel (Indianapolis), Ind., and Columbia, S.C., ASH has more than 1,200 employees and administers services for more than 34 million members nationwide. Additional products offered through ASH and its subsidiaries include Healthyroads®, FitnessCoach™, Active&Fit®, ExerciseRewardsTM and others. For more information about ASH, visit http://www.ashcompanies.com or call 800-848-3555. Follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter at @ASHCompanies.






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