A first in the nation? Modesto City Schools introduces tai chi to its after-school program
The after-school program at Orville Wright Elementary School buzzes with chatter and laughter, but the moment tai chi instruction begins, the room falls into a pin-drop silence.
“It’s like day and night,” said Luis Jimenez, site coordinator at the school.
Modesto City Schools is the only district in the nation incorporating tai chi into its after-school program, helping elementary students sharpen focus, reduce stress and enhance overall well-being, instructor Naser Ataee said. There are some in the United Kingdom and Asian countries, he said, but none in the U.S. so far as he knows.
Tai chi, a Chinese martial art, involves a series of slow, controlled movements designed to promote balance and mindfulness.
Leading the sessions with Ataee is retired school psychologist Chris Condon, who is also a tai chi student. Both don traditional tai chi uniforms as they guide the students through each movement.
At Orville Wright, about 16 students from third to fifth grade gather in the cafeteria every Monday and Thursday for an hourlong tai chi session over six weeks. The classes are held indoors to minimize distractions from outdoor noise and passing students.
And although the students appeared mellow Thursday, they didn’t start off that way.
“I can’t believe it myself,” said Ataee. “It’s the magic of tai chi.”
The students carefully watch their instructors, mirroring each slow, deliberate movement. The instructors are soft-spoken with their directions. A couple of the kids’ favorite exercises are called “striped tiger” and “dragon plays in the cloud.”
Between some sequences, the children quietly walk in a circle, following Ataee and Condon’s lead.
“They’re synchronized,” Condon said.
What are benefits of tai chi?
Jimenez said tai chi has been highly beneficial for students’ self-regulation and behavior. He has observed previously impulsive children become calmer, more focused and respectful.
Tai chi was introduced at Modesto City Schools when site coordinators sought a new, engaging activity. Students were eager to try martial arts, but since it needed to be no-contact, tai chi emerged as the ideal choice.
The program draws a diverse group of participants. Jimenez noted that some students are homeless or face behavioral challenges, making tai chi an especially valuable tool for them.
Jimenez noted that tai chi has been especially helpful for Spanish-speaking students who struggle with language barriers of other activities, as verbal communication isn’t essential to the practice.
He also said it’s important for students who grew up during the pandemic, because many of them are still catching up on developmental skills.
Lisa Frymire, vice principal at Orville Wright Elementary, added that tai chi supports students’ mental health, particularly among those who have experienced trauma.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for students to have an alternative on how to deal with stress, how to deal with different emotions many of our students experience,” said Frymire.
Teaching children is a rewarding challenge
Ataee, co-founder and instructor at the Modesto T’ai Chi Ch’uan Academy, has been teaching for nearly 30 years. While his experience has primarily been with adults and seniors, he said teaching children has been a new and rewarding challenge for him.
“If [MCS] would have asked me five years ago, I would say no, because I don’t know kids, I know adults,” Ataee said.
He said Condon’s experience working with kids has been invaluable in helping manage the class.
Condon shared that, as instructors, they had to learn to adjust their energy to match the kids’ pace. At the same time, the students were being introduced to something slower and more calming. He was surprised at how quickly the kids adapted throughout the program.
“Now I look forward to it,” Ataee said about working with the kids. “You see the transformation of these kids right in front of your eyes.”
Jimenez said many students ask their parents if they can stay a little longer after school to practice tai chi. Some are also excited to show their parents the moves they’ve learned.
“It’s a testament of how much they’re enjoying the program,” Jimenez said.
Students said they love learning new moves and how to stay still. Many of them memorized the names of the movements and easily re-created them.
“My favorite part of tai chi is when I finished, and then I became stronger,” said Sergio Paniajua, one of the students.
At the end of the session, the students received ceramic figurines representing different tai chi movements as a memento of their experience.
Tai chi will also be offered at Garrison, John Muir, El Vista, Bret Harte, Tuolumne and Everett Elementary Schools.
This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
