Virginia Dowling

Virginia graduated from Iowa State University in 1969 and Mayo Foundation School of Physical Therapy in 1971 and was a licensed Physical Therapy at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa for 35 years, retiring in 2007.

After hearing about tai chi in several continuing educations workshops, she started learning Yang Style Tai Chi in 2002 through the local parks and rec.

In 2004 Virginia was introduced to Dr. Paul Lam though one of his videos as she was preparing to teach her first class at the local senior center and was impressed with his teaching style. After finding out about his Tai Chi for Arthritis program, she attended the week long workshop in Monterey where she was certified in Tai Chi for Arthritis.

Since then, she has taken numerous workshops and become certified in Tai Chi for Diabetes, Tai Chi for Back Pain, Tai Chi for Osteoporosis, and Tai Chi at Work. She has participated in TCA In-Depth workshops with Dr. Lam several times and regularly attends the week-long workshop as well as other tai chi workshop to increase learning and improve her tai chi.

In addition to teaching at several venues in Ames, Virginia works to promote tai chi and especially the Tai Chi for Health programs in Iowa. She works with the Iowa Fall Prevention grant to promote instructor trainings in Iowa and mentoring new instructors. She is willing to speak to and do demonstrations and has done program in throughout the State of Iowa. She is especially interested in expanding tai chi programs for those with physical disabilities, chronic diseases and the frail elderly.

Virginia is active in the Tai Chi for Health Community and has been on the Scholarship Community and TCHC Board.