LEWISTON – HealthSteps Adult Fitness Program at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center will offer healing qigong and tai chi classes this fall. Qigong and tai chi are related mind/body/breath movement systems from ancient China.

Both systems have been shown to reduce stress, improve balance, promote rejuvenation and cultivate peace of mind. The fall sessions will focus on a healing system called primordial qigong. In addition, some tai chi fundamentals will be explored.

Primordial qigong (hunyuan gong) is a revered and once secret method of Chinese healing exercise and meditation. Qigong is often an unknown healing method in the West, but it is widely practiced as self-healing therapy in China with positive results.

Primordial qigong is cleansing, rejuvenating, and harmonizing. Primordial

Qigong and tai chi are often practiced to complement other therapies such as acupuncture, physical therapy or Western medicine. In addition, athletes and martial artists often practice healing qigong and/or tai chi to enhance their athletic performance.

Classes will be offered as follows:

Introduction to Healing Qigong and Tai Chi: Tuesdays, 7 to 8:10 p.m., Sept. 14 to Dec. 14; instructor, Ian Gamble; HealthSteps members, $14; nonmembers, $112; St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lepage Large Conference Room; room change, Dec. 7 and 14, d’Youville Pavilion Resident Dining Room.

Intermediate/Advanced Tai Chi: Tuesdays, 5 to 7 p.m., Sept. 7 to Dec. 21; instructor, Ian Gamble; HealthSteps members, $16; nonmembers, $128; St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Lepage Large Conference Room; room change, Dec. 7 and 14, d’Youville Pavilion Resident Dining Room.

For more information or to register for classes, call HealthSteps at 777-8898.