By Jennifer Sperry
For Columbia Gorge News
WHITE SALMON — Coming from a Western scientific background, Timothy Prag was initially skeptical of Eastern approaches. His first degree was in psychology, where he began to discover a deeper interest in overall health and well-being.
For 14 years, he immersed himself in Western health models. This path eventually led him to work for a nonprofit organization, where he designed and implemented health programs. His programs emphasized practical ways for individuals to stay healthy through movement, nutrition and hydration.
What started as curiosity grew into commitment, leading him to complete eight years of training in Chinese medicine and earn his doctorate.
Now, as the owner of Wushing Wellness, Prag shares tai chi and qigong with his clients who are invested in their health. “I incorporate mindfulness education into my sessions, before the client even gets on the table,” he said.
Prag’s approach bridges Eastern and Western perspectives. Western science often emphasizes structured movement, such as 30 minutes of exercise per day or a specific number of steps, to reduce the risk of early mortality. He found Eastern sciences, by contrast, encouraged being in motion for two to three hours a day, or at the very least, remaining on your feet while maintaining awareness of the body. Prag began to ask a deeper question: how does movement need to change as our bodies age? By the time individuals reach their late 50s, the goal is not simply more movement, but movement that is appropriate for the body at that stage of life.
Prag said even the simple movement of wiggling your fingers starts an increased blood flow to and from the heart, nerves are awakened, and your body is activated to feel and move. He believes appointments are a moment for education and an opportunity to teach gentle manipulations that engage the mind and body.
Tai chi, more formally known as Taijiquan, originated in China and is rooted in Taoist philosophy, traditional Chinese medicine, and martial arts. While historians debate whether Zhang Sanfeng was a real person, tradition attributes tai chi to the Taoist monk, who is said to have lived between the 12th and 14th centuries. Legend describes him observing a fight between a crane and a snake, noticing how softness, yielding, and timing overcame force.
He is believed to have developed the martial art as a form of “meditation in motion,” with movements that are slow, deliberate, and mindful. Each posture flows into the next in a continuous circular sequence with a rhythm that balances the body, breath, and mind.
Prag feels deeply called to support those entering retirement years. For older adults, tai chi offers slow, low-impact motion that is gentle and safe for full-body movement. As life begins to shift, many are drawn to his work in search of information to unlock progress and gain forward momentum. Some of his clients feel they have been declining or stuck for what seems like years, while others have gotten tired of recurrent issues that have been around as long as they can remember. It can feel like needing a whole new body.
Thankfully, the body is resilient, and with the right input, it can be supported to stay vital and strong. For most patients participating in Wushing Wellness, this becomes possible and sustainable, he said.
Tai chi lessons address restoration by building on habits that promote balance and strength, with benefits that continue to nourish the body long after classes have ended. Practicing tai chi helps strengthen aging bodies, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. “These practices can help reduce anxiety and cognitive decline, while improving your memory and calming your nerves,” he said.
To schedule a visit, call or text 503-243-1291, or visit www.WushingWell.com/MindfulMovement to schedule a “Mindful Movement” appointment. “Let us know about this ‘intro special offer,’ and we’ll cut the price in half,” Prag said.
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Jennifer Sperry is known for engaging audiences through an honest, transparent approach to complex and often taboo topics. She enjoys exploring subjects that invite thoughtful reflection, hoping to inspire her readers. Her style has made her a respected writer and speaker, with work featured in numerous publications and as the author of a mind-body wellness book series and a children’s book. She calls the Pacific Northwest home.
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