Senior Connection of Chilton County is offering free tai chi classes to anyone age 55 or older beginning Monday, April 2 at 9:45 a.m.

Judy Headley will teach the program, which will consist of two classes per month designed specifically for people with arthritis.

“In tai chi, everything is slow,” Headley said. “It’s more of a meditating type atmosphere.”

Headley said she attended classes in Atlanta to be certified to teach tai chi classes, specifically the sun (pronounced “soon”) style by Dr. Paul Lam through the Arthritis Foundation.

“Tai chi is often described as ‘meditation in motion,’” Headley said. “It is safe, improves muscle strength, flexibility and balance. It’s just good for all-over health, both inside and out.”

Headley said participants are advised to start the program no later than the first class April 2 because each class builds on the previous one.

Proper attire includes loose, casual clothing and low-heel, relatively flat shoes.

“We’ll have warmup exercises and cool-down exercises, then go into the actual tai chi forms,” Headley said. “Slow down from the fast pace of life.”

Headley said anyone interested in joining coordinator Vanessa McKinney’s exercise class may do so for $15 yearly.

Senior Connection is located at the Clanton Recreational Building. For more information, call (205) 755-9032.