Boonshoft Museum of Discovery offers Sloth Tai Chi

Dayton’s newest Tai Chi instructor is a real stickler for taking the exercise slowly. Very slowly.

Sloth Tai Chi will soon be a recurring event at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. The activity reflects on the balance, strength, pace and flexibility of Patience the two-toed sloth, one of the museum's favorite Discovery Zoo residents. The class costs $30 for members, $35 for nonmembers and reservations are required as there is a class limit of 20 participants.

The first Sloth Tai Chi class will take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 6 p.m. Three more classes are scheduled for Aug. 7, Oct. 2 and Dec. 4. You can reserve your spot here. Reservations are required.

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“The art of Tai Chi is easily adapted for anyone, from the most fit to those in wheelchairs,” said Tom Melia, Tai Chi Instructor at the Boonshoft Museum. “It is very safe and it’s easy to get started!”

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Tai Chi is a low-impact, ancient Chinese physical exercise that has been shown to decrease stress. The practice keeps the body in constant, self-paced slow motion that helps increase flexibility and balance. Slow motion is the hallmark of the sloth, who are notorious for taking life at their own pace, according to a Boonshoft press release.