Tai chi classes in Morrisville healthy way to combat stress (video)

MORRISVILLE -- The movements are slow, deliberate. Bill Snyder takes a deep breath, focuses, and then leads his students through a series of movements designed to focus energy and reduce stress.

A Morrisville College environmental science professor, Snyder teaches Beijing Style tai chi, a 24-posture form created by the Chinese Sports Committee in the 1950s. The form was accepted by the People's Republic of China as their general exercise.

Around the world, tai chi is becoming more accepted as a form of exercise.

"It's been linked to so many aspects of health," Snyder said, such as stress reduction as well as strengthening benefits for joints, hips, knees and backs.

"Tai chi really helped me out after a neck injury. It's opened up a side of nature you don't always see," Snyder said. "If you're open to it, it can work wonders."

Snyder started taking courses in Columbus, Ohio after a car accident caused discomfort in his neck. After surgeons and specialists couldn't explain what was wrong, he tried tai chi at the suggestion of a friend.

One of the founding principles of tai chi is to create and hold a root; your head and torso do not move during the majority of the steps.

"You do not jump out of the way," Snyder said. "You simply let the negative energy pass."

Although tai chi is one of China's neijia, or internal martial arts, the principles of it transcend fighting and physical defense.

"I teach tai chi as a form of moving meditation," Snyder said. The practice is used in some cases to relieve stress.

Each session begins with stretching and breathing exercises. The group then does the steps up until the point they learned previously, and Snyder spends time helping people remember steps they have already learned. Then, new steps are taught.

"I could teach you the fundamental choreography in 16-20 classes," Snyder said. "But you could end up studying tai chi for the rest of your life."

The class meets every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Morrisville Public Library. Instruction is free for teens and adults; children are not permitted.

For more information, view Morrisville Public Library's website at:


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