Tai Chi for Therapy Student Guide

Researchers from the University of Connecticut designed a study to compare performance on measures relating to fall risk (strength, balance, functional mobility and fear of falling) in older community dwelling adults who participated in a 16 week community-based Tai Chi program to a control group of their peers who had no Tai Chi training over the same time period.  Tai Chi participants improved in nearly all measures, while controls did not. The researchers concluded that …”the group participating in Tai Chi improved to the point that no significant differences were found in strength or confidence between the two groups … despite the fact that the control group was nearly a decade younger than the Tai Chi group”.*This Guidebook will assist you in learning the Tai Chi used in the study. Laddie Sacharko has been learning and practicing Tai Chi and Qigong since 1988. In 1998, he began to teach these magnificent ideas to others. He is currently teaching in local communities. As a Master Tai Chi Teacher certified by the American Tai Chi & Qigong Association, Laddie has presented across the nation, and across the street, to the general public, and to state and national professional organizations. He has been learning from and teaching physical therapists and other rehabilitation professionals since 2008, providing approved continuing education credit courses, therapeutic exercise workshop training, and introductory seminars for Doctor of Physical Therapy candidates. As an independent researcher, Laddie assisted with a pilot program, and then a broader study of the effect of tai chi on balance and fear of falling. As a co-investigator, Laddie designed and implemented The Tai Chi for Therapy program which demonstrated that Tai Chi improves strength, flexibility, and confidence. Look for the companion hour long DVD presentation provides slow motion and stop action analysis, as well as real-time front, side, and back views to supplement your in-class learning experience. Each Tai Chi exercise is demonstrated in separate chapters. Select only the lesson you want to practice. Practice any time at home. www.taichi4therapy.com *JGPT-D-16-00102R3 Balance and Functional Outcomes for Older Community-dwelling Adults Who Practice Tai Chi and Those Who Do Not: A Comparative Study