From: Tai Chi for osteopenic women: design and rationale of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
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 |