At Wine Country Tai Chi Society, we celebrate the Seated Form of Tai Chi for its accessibility, therapeutic benefits, and power to improve quality of life. Our instructor, Yvonne Waines, embodies the transformative potential of this practice, particularly for those managing arthritis, joint stiffness, and chronic inflammation.
Yvonne has long experienced challenges with arthritis in her hands, a condition that can limit daily activities and cause persistent discomfort. Through a dedicated Tai Chi practice, she has found that Hands Turning exercises and Seated Don Yu’s movements play a critical role in reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and restoring mobility. These gentle, intentional movements encourage the hands and wrists to remain supple, while engaging the larger muscles of the arms, shoulders, and torso to support overall strength and alignment.
Seated Tai Chi offers more than physical benefits; it also provides education for the body. By practicing weekly with Yvonne, participants learn to recognize patterns in their movement that may contribute to tension or strain. Understanding these patterns helps practitioners make small, mindful adjustments that translate into greater ease, balance, and function in everyday life.
The consistent, community-supported environment of weekly classes adds another layer of benefit. Participants gain strength, resilience, and motivation from being part of a supportive group, sharing experiences, and observing each other’s progress. The Seated Form encourages self-awareness, body literacy, and confidence, all of which are essential for long-term wellness.
Through Yvonne’s guidance, students experience how the Seated Form can support:
- Hand and wrist mobility
- Joint flexibility and inflammation reduction
- Circulation and energy flow
- Strengthening of core and upper body muscles
- Mindful awareness of movement patterns and posture
Engaging in this form of Tai Chi transforms challenges into opportunities for growth. It demonstrates that, with thoughtful practice, even those with physical limitations can cultivate strength, resilience, and connection — both with their own bodies and within the community.
By embracing the Seated Form, practitioners like Yvonne inspire us all to explore movement as medicine, to nurture our hands, our joints, and our overall wellbeing, and to build a supportive community where daily self-care becomes an achievable, empowering practice.
You can find the full Tai Chi schedule on the calendar. Seated Tai Chi is on Friday mornings and tuition is by donation.
Sign up for the Tai Chi Wellness Retreat March 6-8, and enjoy learning how Tai Chi can support your well-being daily.