Arthritis Tasmania has condemned the actions of a church in north-west Tasmania which has cancelled a senior citizens' Tai Chi class.

The Wynyard Baptist Church says the martial arts-based exercises go against the Bible.

Elderly people who have been attending the classes for the past two years say the gentle art helps relieve their arthritis.

Wendy Broomhall is all but crippled by arthritis and drugs have done little to help.

Two years ago she found Tai Chi provided some relief and had been attending the local classes.

"It's just given me mobility, helped with my balance, because I've had ill health had two aneurisms and my arthritis is crippling," she said.

"It just seems to get me through each and every."

But the church leader, the Reverend Viv Morse, says he thought Arthritis Tasmania was holding simple exercise classes, not Tai Chi.

He says the classes have now been cancelled because parishioners were concerned about the martial art's links to Buddhism.

"Anybody that focuses in on the exercise has the wrong message. It's the belief systems that are clashing."

"We have a right to say that is not acceptable in our church because it clashes with our Christian beliefs," he said.

Jackie Slyp from Arthritis Tasmania says the church should show more understanding about Tai Chi's therapeutic benefits.

"I was a little disappointed that we didn't have the opportunity to talk to them about the benefits of Tai Chi for arthritis."

The Church says its decision is final but will help the group find another venue.