LEWISTON – “Tai Chi Chuan” will be the subject of an Accenting Women’s Health program being offered on Monday and Thursday, Dec. 1 and 4, at Central Maine Medical Center.

The ancient martial art of tai chi chuan is one of the most effective “stress-busters” available.

In China it is also used for the prevention and treatment of illnesses, and its beneficial effects for health and fitness are recognized in the West.

The speaker for the lecture-demonstration program will be Betsey Foster, who has studied with tai chi chuan and qigong masters in the United States and Canada since 1988. She studies with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming from Boston and has completed his qigong training program.

Foster teaches at hospitals and health centers in western and central Maine, including CMMC. She also writes and lectures on the health benefits and current medical research regarding tai chi chuan and qigong. She holds a master’s degree in public health from Boston University School of Medicine.

She is particularly interested in the health benefits of qigong and tai chi chuan and how they relate to traditional Chinese medicine.

The Dec. 1 program will be presented at 1 p.m. and the Dec. 4 program will begin at 6 p.m. Both will be offered in Conference Room H, located on the lower level of the 12 High Street Medical Office Building adjacent to CMMC.

Those interested in attending either of the programs should register by calling 795-2106 or e-mailing [email protected]. Interpreter services are available upon advance request.