Martial Arts Sifu teaches Tai Chi to help relieve several health conditions.

Arthritis is America's number one cause of disability but is not well understood. With over three million cases per year, it refers to inflammation in one or more joints that can cause pain and stiffness which is shown to worsen with age. For the last two years, Isa Smith, 69, has attended Sifu Juan Melendez' Tai Chi/ Wushu Kung Fu class in New Windsor, New York to relieve her discomfort due to arthritis.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that is practiced as a type of exercise. It involves slow movements, deep breathing, and stretching. It is a helpful way to reduce stress, anxiety, and increase flexibility and balance.

"I enjoy the program because I have an arthritis problem. I am sixty-nine years old, and it seems to help me with flexibility, clearing of the mind, and to help my body function better," Smith said.

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Sifu Juan Melendez uses holistic approaches through Chinese methods to alleviate various ailments through exercise which include pain management, weight loss management, and stress reduction. The program is an alternative to taking regular medication from doctors. Melendez helps his students move and feel better over time.

"My goal is to reduce some of their pain, rather than going to see a doctor where they could be prescribed different pills. By coming to me on a regular basis, they feel better within the mind and body," Melendez said.

For more information on Sifu Melendez's Tai Chi/ Wushu class contact Juan at (845) 249-9230 or Jaysaguafit@aol.com.