I had some thoughts recently about Tai Chi in life a general sense and put some notes together – there are 3 quite short pieces which may provoke further thought :
Application of Tai Chi practice to other activities, e.g. golf, swimming, football, manual work etc
Levels of exercise – why not go all out?
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I am delighted that we are now holding a daytime beginners class at The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living as part of their Community Program - which also includes Group singing and Latino dance.
The Tai Chi class is on Monday mornings at 11.30 to 12.30 when we do some gentle exercises aimed at improving balance and mobility – and generally enjoy the community environment of the centre - for me at least this includes the now re-opened “Rosehill Cafe” which provides lovely food, excellent drinks - and banter if you are lucky!
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Tai Chi is becoming very popular these days and it seems to me that there is something of the “magic bullet” about the way Tai Chi is regarded – a bit like going to the doctor – “take this course of Tai Chi and everything will be better” – indeed 16 weeks or whatever of Tai Chi classes can have a significant effect – but that really is just the start. The point is to learn the skill of understanding one’s body and using it better so that our own internal systems can heal us and keep us healthy. The concept of Chi is part of that but something that each of us comes to understand on our own. No magic – just hard work and understanding.
I’ve done quite a bit of work recently teaching Tai Chi as a falls prevention program, with some brilliant feedback – but it has got me thinking a lot about the wider aspects of the subject and led me to produce a whitepaper on the considerations of setting up a Tai Chi based falls prevention program – the whitepaper is available on the main website along with examples of the feedback.
I suppose the main point that I noticed is that if one tries to focus on those epeople known to be at risk of falls – eg over 60 yrs old , then there is a huge variation in capabliity and it requires a greatly increased level of input. Ideally therefore I suggest that one should start one’s program earlier say at 50+ when people still have a significant capability and another 10 years to learn the skills involved in the Tai Chi approach before their risk of falls becomes critical. This would truely be a falls prevention program – although it would probably be more appropriate to call it something like “balance and mobility for the over 50s”.
Anyone looking to set up such a program can contact me to discuss.
I am delighted that The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living have managed to arrange a measured trial of Tai Chi classes to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi related exercises on balance and by extension on the likely risk of falls. Quality of life, longevity and cost to health career stakeholders are all major issues. The trial covers June into September – I look forward to the classes and seeing the outcome. This is based on a previous very well received 8 week trial coupled to Moving Mindfully classes run by Judy Hammond.
Building on my work with the Letchworth centre for Healthy Living I will be running classes in Shefford for people approaching their 60′s and for those already in their 60′s or older – these classes will cover Tai Chi exercises aimed at improving balance and mobility – simple, gentle exercise suitable for those feeling vulnerable to falls with a view to reducing the risk of falls in later life.
I will be running a short series of 4 beginners classes on a weekly basis at Aromatics Beauty and Holistic Treatments saloon in Baldock, starting on Monday June 13th – time is from 6.00 to 7.00pm. For further info contact Sam at pamper@aromaticsbaldock.com
Tai Chi has been shown to be valuable in reducing falls in the elderly – hold on that means me! – and I have been involved in some over 60′s classes at the Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living which have had excellent feedback – so have decided to start some Tai Chi classes for the over 60′s in Shefford from June 6th. Venue is Shefford Community Hall where classes will be held every Monday afternoon from 2.30 to 4.00pm with a break for tea and bikies – suitable for anybody who is presently able to walk or walk with a stick and would like to work on their balance and mobility. So if you are 50 plus and would like to learn habits of movement that will help you as you approach your 60′s and in later years then come along. Cost is £18 per calendar month in advance or £5 per session.
I’ve just tried the Wii fit – Wii fit age 46 – real age 59. I suspect it’s the Tai Chi practice!
I have recently been involved with a number of health and mobility related classes in conjunction with The Letchworth Centre for Healthy Living - for example “over 60s” and with Parkinson’s sufferers so some feedback may be of interest.
