Senior Program

Moving Together for Strength, Balance and Connection

Are you over 60 and seeking to improve your mobility, ease, and engagement in the world?

The Moving Together for Strength, Balance and Connection is inspired by the movements and principles of Taichi, Bagua and Aikido but is not a “martial arts” class. There is no falling or rolling involved.

This class meets weekly at Tuesday 10:30 - 11:30 AM. There will be four 10-week sessions in 2027. Each series costs $180 (prorated for those who join part-way through a series):

  • Winter: term Jan 12 - Mar 16 (Click here to open page with registration link)

  • Spring term: Mar 30 - Jun 1 (register link coming later)

  • Summer term: Jun 15 - Aug 17 (register link coming later)

  • Autumn term: Sept 14 - Nov 16 (register link coming later)

To register, click on the yellow link, above, for the desired term.

Have questions? Contact Sara Gerhart Snell at sgsnell@twocranesinstitute.org.

In this class we will study:

  • Posture and balance

  • Taichi-based joint exercises for body awareness, connection and fluidity

  • Walking with attention

  • Paired activities for connection and balance while practicing with friends

  • Group activities that gradually challenge our new physical awareness

Participants with assistive devices such as canes and walkers are welcome! 

Testimonials from past students:

  • "Really appreciate my teachers, they are knowlegible, patient and make this fun. I look forward to coming to class.“ - JM

  • CI said this class "Helped me consider my balance and sometimes move more slowly.” -CI

  • "I like working in pairs. Fun to interact and learn from each other.” - JM

  •  One participant liked doing "Circles while looking through hands. Engages & loosens my lower back w/o pain.” - JL

Instructors. Classes will be led by Sara Gerhart Snell, Dave Marcinek, and Ann Yamane.

Sara Gerhart Snell is a classical musician and garden designer with 28 years of experience in aikido and developing movement classes for all ages.

Dave Marcinek is a professor at the University of Washington who has studied muscle function and healthy aging for over two decades.

Ann Yamane is a retired educator of prosthetics and orthotics at the University of Washington where she focused on the rehabilitation process to improve a person’s balance and quality of life..

(Click here for pdf version of flyer)