Table 1.

Eligibility criteria for Tai Chi schools

Practical Requirements	Long standing Tai Chi school, open to the public for a minimum of 5 years
	Located within the greater Boston area
	Safe/accessible facility; phone available to dial 911 in case of medical emergency
	Offers a minimum of 2 entry-level Tai Chi classes per week throughout the year
	Entry-level classes with rolling admission, or with new classes starting at minimum every 3 months
	Senior Tai Chi instructor with a minimum of 10 years training; classes led by junior instructors supervised by a senior instructor
	Classes held in group format
	Some guidelines for home practice provided: either via verbal encouragement, handouts, or with provided media
	Verbal instruction provided in English
Essential Curricular Requirements	Tai Chi training based on Yang, Wu, Chen or Sun family style. All 'short' or 'long' forms acceptable if basic principles are adhered to
	Training must emphasize: 1) Relaxed continuous movement; 2) Vertical skeletal alignment; 3) Meditative intention to promote self-awareness, relaxation and concentration; 4) Some instruction in breathing techniques
	Teaching instruction incorporates modeling of Tai Chi movements and ancillary exercises, in combination with verbal and physical form correction
Other Curricular Components (acceptable, but not required)	Warm-up exercises conducted in the spirit of Tai Chi, such as relaxed flowing movements, flexibility, balance and self-awareness training
	Quiet sitting or standing meditation
	Gentle interactive Tai Chi exercises, for example, sensing hands
	Self massage
	Basic philosophy of Tai Chi principles as related to health
Unacceptable Curriculum Elements (for the initial 9 month Tai Chi training period)	Use of ancillary equipment, for example, weights or nautilus
	Training with weapons
	Sparring or wrestling
	Significant aerobic training
	Teaching of ancillary martial arts forms, for example, Kung-Fu, Ba Gua, Hsing I
On Site Assessment	Willing to allow Harvard Medical School study staff to observe two beginner classes in order to document adherence to eligibility criteria