Archives for February 2014

All of us have our own personal dragons to face. In my case, it’s taken me a lifetime to do so, and it’s Tai Chi that’s helped me to do it.

One of the first things I learned in life was that balance and co-ordination were not my thing. At school, gym lessons were a nightmare and most of the time I and a few others would be left at the back of the class doing very simple exercises while others climbed ropes and did back flips. As an adult, things didn’t get any better. I got used to living with two left feet.

So when I saw the information about the new Tai Chi for Over 50s group in January 2013 I decided to face my fears and have a go. Thanks to the supportive, friendly group and wonderful teachers, who make us believe in our ability to succeed. I’m still attending every week, loving it and making progress – slowly, at my own pace. I still can’t tell my left from my right, but I’ve confronted my personal dragons and I’m not scared of them anymore.

Alison Hay
A participant from Senior Tai Chi Corner
02 February 2014

 

 

Some years ago, someone with whom I was closely associated with professionally, told me of the enormous benefits he had experienced from taking up Tai Chi following a significant health scare. I was both intrigued and faintly sceptical at the time but had no time to pursue it because of heavy work commitments.

However, not long after I retired, I saw an advert for the Senior Dao Lu Corner. Still intrigued, I thought this must be a sign for me to have a go, so turned up one cold and snowy February Sunday in 2013.

My first surprise was that the professional associate who first introduced the idea to me turned out to be the tutor! This obviously helped me overcome initial uncertainty as I had been so impressed with his sincerity about his experience years before.

The next surprise was that other former professional associates were also practising ‘Dao Lus’!

But the best surprise was how much I felt I’d actually done something with my body despite the deceptively apparent gentleness and pace. The focus and concentration needed has also been a great brain workout without all the old pressures.

Having spent a lifetime being assessed and assessing others, one of the most significant enjoyments has been doing something purely for its own sake and being ‘in the moment’. However, pressure is a habit for better or worse so just maybe I’ll be persuaded to consider a grading in 2014!

Patricia Cutler
A participant from Senior Tai Chi Corner
26 January 2014