Thinking about trying tai chi but want to know more? We talked to Norma Castle, an Arthritis Foundation tai chi instructor who teaches classes in Westchester County, New York. Castle, who has practiced tai chi for more than a decade, has been certified to teach Dr. Paul Lam’s “Tai Chi for Arthritis,” a modified tai chi program done in conjunction with the Arthritis Foundation.
How would you describe tai chi for someone who has never experienced it?
It’s an ancient set of exercises which are based on a martial art, but a lot of it is now practiced for the health benefits. The health benefits are improved flexibility, coordination, endurance, stamina, strength and relaxation, which is very important. There’s kind of a meditative component to it. The movements are slow and gentle so you bring your attention to what you’re doing and thinking. That’s why it’s great for people with arthritis. If you have arthritis in your knee, for example, and you’re moving slowly and you feel something in your knee, you can stop at that point. We don’t say, “Keep going! Push yourself!” We say, “Do it gently. If you start feeling stressed, stop.” Each day you do a little bit more and take note of what you’re feeling.
What is the movement like?
It’s slow and smooth and it’s soft and it’s gentle. You are using your muscles and you are ranging your joints. Depending on a person’s conditioning, it could be a major leap to moving a lot or it could be not that much if a person is exercising already. It is gentle but it is exercise.
What do first-time people come into class expecting?
I find that people come in and want to try to improve their health. A lot of people have had some exposure to tai chi. People sort of associate it with groups of older Chinese folks out in the park. They’re surprised by the end of class to see what it is and what it feels like. But it’s very positive.
How does tai chi differ from yoga?
It’s related in a certain way. It does have a meditative component. We talk about breathing but it’s less complicated than the breathing in yoga. The main difference is that we’re moving and in most yoga, they’re not moving. In yoga, for the most part, they don’t modify to meet needs and it’s often strenuous. Yoga calls for a lot of flexibility and stretching. The way I’ve been trained is to be adapting and modifying to meet the needs of different populations. Tai chi can meet the needs of people with different conditions.
I teach taichi on Cape Cod at the CC Rehab on Attucks Lane in Hyannis. 6PM on Wednesday evenings. Come on down and we can do taichi and have some fun. Lots of streching and moving meditation as well as posting! Good for all levels of fitness. Come and begin a new journey for yourself or love ones.
Many blessings!
Loashur John
You might also check out www.taichiresearch.com as they have a list of all of the benefits of tai chi....Richard
My wife, Linda, and I are both Senior Trainers with Dr Lam's Tai Chi for Health Community and certified with the AF. If you are looking for classes in the East TN area or looking for Instructor Certification we can help. Please check us out on Dr Lam's www.taichiproductions.com website. We are listed as Senior Trainers.
Bill
Thanks for your comment. You can sign up for the tai chi "train the trainer class" by contacting your local Arthritis Foundation Chapter.
You can find your local AF Chapter by entering your zip code in the chapter map search link:
http://www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php
Thanks,
The Editors
http://www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php
Thanks,
The Editors
Arthritis Today magazine
I'm an editor for www.ArthritisToday.org. Thanks for all your comments.
For those looking to locate an Arthritis Foundation Tai Chi Program near you, or any other Foundation program, it is best to contact your local Foundation chapter. You can find your local chapter by entering your zip code in the space provided on the following link:
http://www.arthritis.org/chaptermap.php
Thanks,
Bryan
if you are a member?
Thank you,
Michael
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