Events - Friendly House

Tai Chi I

Sandra Oberdorfer — Tue, 13 May 2025 16:30:00 +0000

Thinking about learning Tai Chi? Our Tai Chi classes are ongoing, and students are welcome to start at any time. If you would like to learn the form from the beginning, join us on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 when we will introduce the guiding principles and opening moves of the Yang Style Long Form. Over approximately the following 3 months students will be guided through the entire form.

Introduction to Tai Chi (Tai Chi I) • Tuesdays • 9:30–10:30am

Tai Chi has many physical benefits such as helping to improve balance, strength, and flexibility. It is sometimes called “Moving meditation” due to its graceful movements, and ability to calm the mind. and help destress the practitioner. Introduction to Tai Chi teaches important principles and skills to launch your tai chi journey. This class is great for students with no prior tai chi experience or students who have prior tai chi experience. Students taking Tai Chi I are encouraged to concurrently enroll in Tai Chi II so they have an additional opportunity to review and practice moves learned earlier in the week.

What to Expect: Almost anyone can learn tai chi, even if they do not consider themselves well-coordinated or good at athletics. Tai chi is very adaptable to people of varying abilities and limitations, though students should be able to stand and walk independently. As always, it is wise to consult with your medical provider before undertaking any new form of exercise. Two related qualities that do seem important to learning tai chi are persistence and patience. While many benefits of tai chi can be felt quickly, committing the sequences to memory and incorporating the subtleties of the movements into muscle memory takes time and practice. With 25 to 30 hours of practice and instruction (3 months of two weekly classes), students often have a growing sense of competence with the form. A very helpful attitude for the new student learning tai chi is to enjoy the activities and moving in the class, without becoming overly concerned with mastery. If you maintain this attitude, you will persist in your tai chi journey because it brings you joy and mastery will follow. In the philosophy of the Tao Te Ching, which informed the development of Tai Chi, “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”

We are a welcoming group of neighbors and friends from all over Portland enjoying the benefits and camaraderie of learning and practicing together. New participants are always welcome. We practice together as a community and support each person toward reaching their individual goals.

The Instructor: This class is taught by David Katz, a Tai Chi instructor at Friendly House, local recreation centers, and retirement facilities. He is also a registered yoga instructor. If you have any questions about the class or tai chi in general, you can reach out to him through the front desk.

The post Tai Chi I first appeared on Friendly House.

The post Tai Chi I appeared first on Friendly House.

EPS: Oakshire Beer Hall Social

Eva Myers — Tue, 13 May 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Join us in NE Portland for a pint with friends. Outside food is allowed and available at nearby locations. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverage options are available for purchase.

For menu and location info, click here.

Elder Pride Services • 4–6pm • Tuesdays • Oakshire Beer Hall: 5013 NE 42nd Ave

The post EPS: Oakshire Beer Hall Social first appeared on Friendly House.

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Community Center Late Opening

Cassidy — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Due to an organization-wide meeting, Friendly House will be open from 12–7pm on March 12th and May 14th.

The post Community Center Late Opening first appeared on Friendly House.

The post Community Center Late Opening appeared first on Friendly House.

Tai Chi for Older Adults: Fall Prevention

Cassidy — Wed, 14 May 2025 17:00:00 +0000

This class was designed for active independent seniors who can walk without a cane for 15 minutes. It is a blend of slow-motion movements that improve balance, coordination, flexibility, and focus combined with physical therapy techniques of sensory awareness and integration, providing the student with the tools to navigate their environment with confidence and a feeling of empowerment.

Michael Siegel has been teaching Tai Chi since 1980 with the permission of Master Kai Ying Tung and has been a physical therapist since 1963 with teaching experience in Australia, Japan, and Zambia.

10–11am • Mondays & Wednesdays • Free • Preregistration is required • To RSVP: frontdesk@fhpdx.org or (503) 228-4391

The post Tai Chi for Older Adults: Fall Prevention first appeared on Friendly House.

The post Tai Chi for Older Adults: Fall Prevention appeared first on Friendly House.

EPS: Meals on Wheels Lunch

Cassidy — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Join this community meal site that has been bringing LGBTQ+ elders together for over 14 years—now at a new location! Longtime Meals on Wheels People volunteers and attendees welcome new friends for lunch every week. A recommended donation of $5 supports the site.

Open 11am–1pm, meal at 11:30am • Wednesdays • Westminster Presbyterian: 1624 NE Hancock St

The post EPS: Meals on Wheels Lunch first appeared on Friendly House.

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Better Bones Exercise (Online)

Sandra Oberdorfer — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:30:00 +0000

This online class begins with a gentle seated warm-up that transitions into standing cardiovascular routines and movement-techniques that strengthen the major muscle-groups and enhance awareness of balance. Class ends once again in the chairs with gentle stretching and flexibility techniques.
*While exercise props are not required, options to use light hand weights (water bottles and soup cans work!), small 4-6 in ball (small cushion also works) and stretchy resistance bands will be given.

Cost is $50 per month. Email frontdesk@fhpdx.org for scholarship opportunities. No class 8/26, 8/28, or 9/2.

Mondays & Wednesdays | 11:30am – 12:30pm

Email or call the Friendly House Front Desk to register: frontdesk@fhpdx.org or call 503-228-4391.

Instructor: Wendy K Tucker
Wendy is a Health and Wellness Facilitator and Expressive Arts Therapist with an extensive background in facilitating various movement techniques, mindfulness-based meditation and wellness practices.

The post Better Bones Exercise (Online) first appeared on Friendly House.

The post Better Bones Exercise (Online) appeared first on Friendly House.

Low-Impact Kickboxing with Steven

Cassidy — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:30:00 +0000

Join our Low-Impact Kickboxing class designed for adults of all ages! This fun and energizing workout combines gentle movements, balance exercises, and light cardio to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. Perfect for all fitness levels, this class offers a supportive and welcoming environment to stay active and healthy while having a great time. No prior experience is needed. All movements are adaptable to students’ comfort level.

5:30–6:30pm • Wednesdays • $8/member, $10/non-member

RSVP by email frontdesk@fhpdx.org or (503) 228-4391

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Muscle & Movement: Strength for the Active Ager

Cassidy — Wed, 14 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000

A beginner, low-intensity, and impact strength training workout designed for those with movement considerations. Through the use of props such as weights and resistance bands, we will perform exercises to help increase your bone density and range of motion, improve balance, and build muscle strength. This class can be adapted depending on your fitness level and abilities.

Wednesdays: 1–2pm • Fridays: 9:30–10:30am • $8 for members/$10 for non-members • Pre-registration is required • To RSVP: frontdesk@fhpdx.org or (503) 228-4391

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EPS: Bridge Group

Ryan — Wed, 14 May 2025 21:30:00 +0000

Stop by for our free, drop-in bridge club for all levels. Come and join the fun!

Friendly House: 1737 NW 26th Ave

The post EPS: Bridge Group first appeared on Friendly House.

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EPS: Trans Social

Ryan — Wed, 14 May 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Our LGBTQ+ community virtual socials use Zoom and support call-in and video options.

To RSVP: rebecca@fhpdx.org or (503) 224-2640

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