Jim Dalton has been teaching meditation and mindful movement for over 25 years.  Most recently, Jim has been a part of the Portland Insight Meditation Community teaching program in Portland on SE Duke Street.  Trained in various traditions, his current classes reflect the latest principles of contemplative practice and stress reduction.  

 

More than 15 years ago, Tai Chi became a strong interest, first as a student and later as a teacher in the Beaverton area.  Twelve years ago, he began teaching a simplified short form designed for better balance and general health maintenance.  Since then, he has offered the Tai Chi for Better Balance program at numerous senior centers in the area. 

 

The mindful movement training which Jim has participated in has many benefits.  First, Tai Chi greatly improves balance and overall body awareness, so important for fall prevention.  As we age, the risk of falling increases rapidly.  According to the Oregon Health Authority 

 

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for adults 65 and older. One in three older adults falls each year, and 20 to 30 percent of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries, such as bruises, hip fractures, and head traumas. 

 

Tai Chi has been a proven effective tool for reducing falls and is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control. 

 

And mindful movements like QiGong and Tai Chi have also enriched Jim's personal life by creating little communities of self-motivated people working together to maintain their health and happiness.  For Jim, QiGong and meditation are more than just interesting hobbies.  They provide a rewarding method of giving back to the communities where he has worked the past 25 years. Besides supporting his own health, these programs bring a sense of fulfillment that makes his classes essential for his own well-being.