Give yourself the gift of Tai Chi. While you are standing in line this holiday season, think how nice it would be to stand without your feet and back hurting. That is just one small benefit of regular tai chi practice. Your balance will improve considerably, and who doesn’t need that?
It’s a calming, supportive atmosphere, where you can sit when you need to, the instructor will guide you at your pace. Your shoulders, neck, knees, hips will get stronger through regular use of gentle movements.
I even improved my awareness of right and left. There are studies showing I am not alone: visuospatial ability and attention performance have been shown to improve. No sweating, and yet you get stronger, improve posture and balance, and become more limber with gentle movement of the arms, legs and torso.
Research shows Tai Chi slowed down the loss of bone density approximately three-fold. When people with osteoporosis fall, they are more likely to sustain a fracture. Many studies have shown that Tai Chi reduces falls.
Arthritis can discourage people from exercising due to pain and stiffness in the joints. In April 2007, the largest study of Tai Chi for arthritis was published in the Arthritis Care and Research Journal, in which it was proven once again that Tai Chi is effective and safe for people affected by some type of joint discomfort and has many other advantages.
Los Gatos Recreation has several Tai Chi classes to offer. Linda Scheer is the instructor who I have followed for years. I know enough to do the practice on my own and there is so much more to learn. The learning makes it a challenge, a way to turn off the triggers of life and concentrate. The repetition makes it a relief to join a small group and just follow the instructor if my mind is not up for more at the moment.
The class time options are likely to meet your schedule; there are different levels of challenge; and what could be handier and more rewarding than meeting at the Los Gatos Rec Center once a week with people who have become friends?
Please join us for a trial session starting in January ($15, returned if you sign up). We look forward to seeing you! Go to lgsrecreation.org, under Adult Classes, then fitness, then qigong/tai chi to see a list of options, times, teachers. Or call 408.354.8700 for the helpful rec staff.
You will see a wide range of other classes available too, but don’t skip the Tai Chi for Life! Which is the name of Linda’s Tai Chi. There is a $17 drop-in option, or for the next session, from Jan. 4 to March 15, the cost ranges from $130 to $155 depending on your skill level.
I hope to see you there!
Julie Groves
Los Gatos
