To Life!

HEALTH

White Lake

Specializin g in
Fine Cakes/Tortes
and Chocolates

Celebrate with the finest
domestic and imported
chocolates.

Trifles offers
Kosher/Pareve chocolates from
elV York City

Customized Tortes for:
Weddings — Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
Baby Naming
Birthdays
Anniversaries

9320 Elizabeth Lake Road
White Lake, Michigan
248.698.11800
www.trifleschocolate.com

BELLA

B RI DA L

L

IL

g5

esigner wedding gowns, bridesmaids,
mother of the bride and prom dresses

Fighting Arthritis

Joint-friendly tai chi classes
help seniors keep exercising.

S

low, graceful, gentle exercise
cises," says Peter Ostrow, Brown Center
that increases flexibility,
executive director.
strength, stamina, coordina-
The Brown Center tai chi program
tion and balance — tai chi has arrived is part of the L'Chaim Project, an ini-
at the Peter and Dorothy Brown Adult
tiative supported by the Jewish Fund
Day Care Center in West Bloomfield
with $150,000 two-year grant that
and Southfield.
ends in June. Its purpose is to provide
The peaceful, relaxing exercise prac- arthritis awareness and education to
tice is perfect for those with arthritis
the public, with a focus on reaching
and other body pains. Classes are
out to the Jewish community.
taught as group recreational exercise,
"The name of the project, L'Chaim,
designed by the Arthritis Foundation
was specifically chosen because the
for people of varied ages and physi-
Arthritis Foundation believes that
cal abilities who seek a joint-friendly
everyone with arthritis can live well
exercise routine.
with their condition;' says Natalie
The seven-week program uses Sun- Rosenfield-McKee, project manager.
style tai chi, one of the disciplirie's five
"By understanding arthritis and man-
major recognized styles. This style is
aging its effects with helpful strategies
particularly supportive of joint health
like joint-friendly exercise, people can
because its steps are agile; its move-
take charge of their lives."
ments are slow, and the level of exer-
The Jewish Fund was established
tion can be adjusted to each person's
in December 1996 from the sale pro-
condition. The program was devel-
ceeds of Sinai Hospital to the Detroit
oped by Dr. Paul Lam, an Australian
Medical Center. Among the full range
family physician who took up tai chi
of programs it supports through the
years ago to help with his own arthri-
L'Chaim Project are education semi-
tis and is now a world leader in the
nars, the Arthritis Answers service,
field of tai chi for health improvement. the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help
Participants in an introduc-
Program and the Arthritis Foundation
tory tai chi class from the Arthritis
Aquatic Program.
Foundation learn up to 12 basic move-
Other venues include the Jewish
ments or "poses," plus special warm-
Community Centers, Jewish
up, cool down and breathing exercises. Apartments and.Services, temples and
In continuing classes, movements are
synagogues.
gradually added to the sequence to
An education program, including
reach a total of 33. The resulting form
a tai chi demonstration and helpful
offers benefits for both physical and
tips on dealing with arthritis, will be
mental health.
from 1-4 p.m. June 25 at Temple Beth
"Even though our participants
El. Seating is limited. For reservations,
experience some cognitive deficits,
call (800) 968-3030 and ask about the
they can still benefit from these exer-
L'Chaim Forum. ❑

Instructor Julie
Verriest, recre-

ation coordinator
and site supervi-

We-specialize in customizing gowns

sor at the Peter
and Dorothy

This gown was customized by us to-conform
to specific religious traditions.

Brown Adult Day
Care Center in

Come experience filll service like no other.

Southfield,
teaches tai chi.

4301 Orchard Lake Road

(at Lone Pine, in West Bloomfield)

248.539,9800 • www.bellabridal.com

32

June 1 • 2006

1087323

