School may be out for the day, but class isn't over for a group of Austintown Local School employees.  For the last six weeks, they have been taking part in a Tai Chi class, after school, as part of the district's wellness initiative.

"This is kind of a user friendly Tai Chi, not where we are doing a lot of big splits or things like that.  We are doing very basic moves, but you can get a very, very good workout," said Tai Chi instructor Barb Kliner.

Instructor Barb Kliner has led the class, which has drawn a crowd each week.  She says the ancient Chinese tradition, which was first developed for self defense, is practiced today as a more form of exercise that involves a series of movements performed very slowly.

"I didn't realize how the movements, you know, it takes so much more control to do things slower and I actually find myself, like my muscles are burning a little bit after the class still.  You don't realize how much you're still doing it in slow movements," said community engagement specialist Brittany Bueno.

In addition to the physical benefits, Tai Chi has been shown to improve memory and reduce anxiety and stress.

"It definitely helps with stressors of the job, even during the day, there are certain things that come up during the day, especially being a kindergarten teacher that can really add added pressure and stress to you.  So, just the deep breathing alone, if you remember to think of some of the movements, it has helped reduce that stress," said teacher Tamara Deeley.