WWA receives Tufts Health Plan Foundation Grant

Water Way Arts for Health and Energy, the parent non-profit of Brookline Tai Chi, has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Tufts Health Plan Foundation in support of BTC's program for Healthy Aging.

Brookline Tai Chi is one of the country’s largest health-oriented Tai Chi schools and the Seniors Program is especially designed for those concerned with aging well. Tai Chi is one of the world’s oldest and most well established health maintenance systems.

The mission of the Tufts Health Plan Foundation is to promote healthy lifestyles and the delivery of quality health care in communities. The foundation’s focus on healthy aging addresses community needs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, to help meet the challenges and opportunities of an aging society. The Tufts Health Plan Foundation provides grants in four areas: vibrant lifestyles, intergenerational collaboration, fall prevention, and caregiver support. Issues specific to older adults that received funding include: chronic disease management, exercise and nutrition, improved mobility and reduction of falls, access to resources and support for caregivers, and access to meaningful roles in the community to combat depression and social isolation.

“This grant enables us to continue to focus on an aging population, and provide them with innovative programming,” said Dan Kleiman, Brookline Tai Chi Program Director.

Increasingly, Western medicine is becoming aware of Tai Chi as a safe and effective “intervention.” Science has started focusing on models of wellness instead of pathologies.

Older people (age 60-90), the most frequently researched population, are not necessarily accustomed to exercise. Studies point to Tai Chi’s positive impacts on conditions ranging from balance, musculoskeletal flexibility and osteoporosis, to cardio-respiratory and immune system function. Additionally, the practice of Tai Chi impacts emotional well-being and stress relief.

Tai Chi relaxes and tones connective tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia), while increasing flexibility and ease of movement. By teaching unfamiliar movements, it can allow the body to develop new ways to move when old patterns are blocked by damage.