Drayson Center Presents New T’ai Chi Classes

The Drayson Center in Loma Linda has started offering new t’ai chi classes from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday night. Class fees are $65 for members and $70 for non-members. T’ai chi is low-impact and low-intensity yet still aerobic, equivalent to waking three miles in an hour. Suitable for all ages, this class improves balance, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and increases aerobic capacity especially in seniors. The average age of students is approximately 50 years old. Originally from China, t’ai chi ch’uan (supreme ultimate fist), the topic of this class, has roots in Chinese medicine and is believed to balance the energy flow of the body. Instructor Harvey Kurland explained that there are even more benefits to t’ai chi: the immune system becomes stronger, blood circulation and coordination is improved, and it helps keep the brain from aging. It is also the absolute best exercise for balance, with students showing a 200–300 percent improvement in as little as 8 weeks, according to Kurland, who recommends taking at least 20 sessions for maximum benefit. He added that t’ai chi is especially recommended for people with Parkinson’s, MS, arthritis, and diabetes. He noted that for diabetics, A1C levels decreased. Although classes are ending in July due to the end of the quarter, classes should be starting again around the second week in August. For more information, contact the Drayson Center at 909-558-4275, or visit www.llu.edu/llu/drayson. [END] =====I stopped editing at this point. Below, it is as written.====================== Date: Thursday, June 27, 2013 Time: 7:00 p.m. Event Location: LLU Drayson Center Address: 25040 Stewart Street Loma Linda, California 92350 Description: The Drayson Center started offering Tai Chi courses. Class runs through July 25. Call 558-4975 for information. > The Diabetes/Tai Chi study at Loma Linda University Drayson Center > (Tai chi led by Harvey Kurland) has concluded. > Preliminary results show the majority of the diabetes patients lowered > their A1C levels and all participants improved their balance between > 200% and 300% in 8 weeks. The study was performed by the LLU PT Dept. STORY: Tai Chi Class BYLINE: Alberta Lim PHOTOS BY: Alberta Lim PHOTO CAPTIONS: Tai Chi Instructor Harvey Kurland performing Tai Chi move “Single Whip”. The Drayson Center in Loma Linda WORD COUNT: 230 CONTACTS: Harvey Kurland – Hkurland@hotmail.com MEMO TO EDITOR: This type of situation like classes was slightly difficult to get interviews of multiple people only because it wasn’t an event people were staying around for the whole time. It was inappropriate to interrupt during class, but then after class after finishing interviewing one person, everyone else had left. SPIN OFF STORY: Personal story of any students’ life and how taking Tai Chi helped them. ARTICLE TITLES: Drayson Center Presents New Tai Chi Classes Tai Chi Class Proves the Best Class for Balance ARTICLE: The Drayson Center in Loma Linda has started offering new Tai Chi classes from 7pm to 8pm every Thursday night. Class fees are $65 for members and $70 for non-members. Tai Chi is low-impact and low-intensity yet still aerobic, equivalent to waking 3 miles in an hour. Suitable for all ages, this class improves balance, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, and increases aerobic capacity especially in seniors. Average age of students is around 50 years old. Originally from Northwest Tai Chi Ch’uan China, this class has roots in Chinese medicine and is believed to balance the energy flow of the body. Instructor Harvey Kurland explains there are even more benefits to Tai Chi: the immune system becomes stronger, blood circulation and coordination is improved, and it helps keep the brain from aging. It is also the absolute best exercise for balance, with students showing a 200-300% improvement in as little as 8 weeks. Kurland recommends taking at least 20 sessions for maximum benefit. Tai Chi is especially recommended for people with Parkinson’s, MS, arthritis, and diabetes. For diabetics, A1C levels decreased. Although classes are ending in July due to the end of the quarter, classes should be starting again around the 2nd week in August. For more information, contact the Drayson Center at 909-558-4275, or visit www.llu.edu/llu/drayson. For more info on Kurland’s Tai Chi class, visit www.Facebook.com/TaiChiRiverside. For more info on Tai Chi, visit www.DoTaiChi.com.