Archives for November 2013

Senior Tai Chi Corner features in Waltham Forest’s Guide

November 9, 2013 by bootleweb

Senior Tai Chi Corner has been featured in Waltham Forest Council’s guide “Get the best out of living in Waltham Forest – a guide to services and activities for the over 50s”.

The guide was published on Monday 2nd September and our Senior Tai Chi Corner is featured under “Getting Active”. We have since received many enquiries and hope our “corner” will grow even bigger with the publication of this guide!

https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/News/Get-the-best-out-of-living-in-Waltham-Forest.aspx

PDF: download the guide as a PDF here

Dao Lu CIC – Senior Tai Chi Corner wins Physical Activity and Health Project Award at the Waltham Forest Sports Awards 2013!

November 20, 2013 by bootleweb

Seven people from Dao Lu, representing directors, Senior Tai Chi Corner participants and our project partner Green Space Team, attended the Waltham Forest Sports Awards ceremony on 14 November and walked away with th huge surprise of winning the category of Physical Activity and Health Project!

Aileen, on behalf of Dao Lu Directors, commented: “The competition in every category was fierce. It was such a huge surprise to win. The result really showed that our project stood out outstandingly in its delivery, popularity, harmony with nature and health benefits.”

Senior Tai Chi Corner wins Physical Activity and Health Project Award at the Waltham Forest Sports Awards 2013

Janet and Alison, participant representatives, said: “You deserve it for all your hard work and commitment. Thank you so much for inviting us to attend the ceremony to represent the group. We absolutely enjoyed the evening.” Another participant Adrian talked about the huge health benefits he got from the project. You can read Adrian’s Tai Chi journey here.

Ellie Mortimer from LBWF Green Space Team, our project partner, was very impressed and said in her e-update to the Lloyd Park community: “Congratulations to Dao Lu who run Senior Tai Chi in Lloyd Park – they won the Physical Activity and Health Project Award at the Waltham Forest Sports Awards 2013. A very well-deserved win for everyone involved; especially Dao Lu instructors who give so much of their time and offer such a friendly and supportive atmosphere. It’s also great recognition for Lloyd Park and its community activities, we’re very proud to support Senior Tai Chi.”

Read more about Senior Tai Chi Corner here.

Adrian’s Tai Chi journey

November 14, 2013 by bootleweb

When I started Tai Chi class in February 2013 I was too sick to work. I was looking for a way of improving my health and fitness but the thought of going to the gym or jogging around the park was too painful to contemplate. Tai Chi offered me a gentler way of introducing exercise without feeling pressurised or overworked. The movements are slow and deliberate but you still get a great workout. My health and balance has improved greatly and I’ve lost a stone and a half of weight.

The Dao Lu group is very special as the instructors are friendly and very patient if you forget the moves! The class atmosphere is relaxed yet focussed and gets me out of the house for the fresh air and the chance to socialise with the other students. It has now become my Sunday morning ritual.

It’s been 11 months since I participated in my first Sunday morning Tai Chi class and I am still enjoying the sessions as much as the first. The class has grown so large now that there are 2 groups – a 9am group consisting of the more experienced students, and a 10:15 group of beginners and newcomers.

Personally my balance, stamina, fitness and flexibility have all improved. Body movements which seemed difficult in February now come naturally. However I still work hard enough to raise a sweat by the end of the class, which is important when you are practicing in the open air!

In November it was my pleasure to take part in my first grading ceremony. I had to demonstrate First Form Tai Chi in front of all the Dao Lu leaders and students. I was nervous at first, but then I imagined my instructor’s voice in my head as I performed every move. I must say I was very pleased to achieve the yellow sash, medal and certificate when I passed the grading!

Since then I have moved on to learning Second Form Tai Chi which incorporates more exciting and challenging moves! I look forward to 2014 and progressing my Tai Chi skills.

Adrian Sobers
A participant from Senior Tai Chi Corner

Senior Tai Chi Corner wins a Waltham Forest Sports Award!

November 14, 2013 by bootleweb

Dao Lu CIC – Senior Tai Chi Corner has won the Physical Activity and Health Project Award at the Waltham Forest Sports Awards 2013!

We had seven people from Dao Lu, Senior Tai Chi Corner and our project partner Green Space Team who attended the awards ceremony this evening (14th November) and walked away with a huge surprise. The competition in every category was fierce. It was such a huge surprise to win. The result really showed that our project stood out outstandingly in its delivery, popularity, harmony with nature and health benefits.

Read more about Senior Tai Chi Corner here (a link to the STJC page) including a participant Adrian’s Tai Chi journey.