Falls Prevention Tai Chi gives strength, balance, flexibility
Tai Chi teacher Ann Marshall. Photo: Ina Holst.
The numbers give it away—Tai Chi is the latest craze among the wiser generation in the Bay. Last Thursday, Ann Marshall taught a series of the slow, fluid, gentle movements to a crowd of people in a packed hall, and made it look effortless and utter fun.
Ann’s Tai Chi Falls Prevention course, funded by ACC through Presbyterian Support, aims to build the body’s main muscles, improve strength, balance and flexibility, and develop greater body control and awareness of movement and the surroundings.
Tai Chi, in a modified version is part of ACC’s goal to reduce falls. It has been developed for older adults with a focus on improving lower limb strength and balance.
Ann has a background in karate and was introduced to Tai Chi by Ginny Henderson, who encouraged her to teach. Now, seven years on, that encouragement just keeps spreading.
“People quickly get the benefits from Tai Chi and come back to do more and to do it better. It is quite a bit of a workout, although it is very slow and gentle, which makes it ideal for older people. Tai Chi is something most people have never done and it is very different from other forms of exercise that are often fast and furious. We also have a lot of fun and it is quite social.”
Male participants were still thin on the ground, Ann continued, saying it would be wonderful if more men came along.
“It is good for them, too, not only for women. They may think it’s not manly, but in the UK it’s mainly men who are doing Tai Chi, and it is actually quite a tough thing to do. Young people can do Tai Chi too, of course, and then they can continue to do it into old age.”
During the 20-week course, Ann teaches a complete form of modified Tai Chi that her students are encouraged to practice every day for at least 10-20 minutes.
“People can learn this quicker than the original forms, which can take a year to learn. I teach a new move on Tuesday and refine it on Thursday, and then they have time to practice it before learning another move.”
Tai Chi has developed as a form of Chinese martial arts often practised for health reasons and longevity. A multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to different aims. Most modern styles of Tai Chi trace their development to at least one of five traditional schools, the oldest documented tradition dating back to the 1820s.
Anyone interested is still welcome to join the course, said Ann. Sessions are held on Tuesdays (10am) and Thursdays (11.30am) at the Catholic Church hall and last about one hour. Ann can be contacted on 525 8437.
Ina Holst
