Proponents say Tai Chi and Qigong offer multiple benefits
Tai Chi has been described as "moving meditation".
Carole Conlin, a long-time practitioner and one of the residents who first brought the practice to the village, sees the practice as good for both mind and body.
She says that while traditional meditation typically means sitting quietly with the mind doing all the work to calm and centre your thoughts, "Tai Chi moves your body and also focuses your mind as you learn or practice various movement forms."
Conlin's partner Louis Peterson took her to her first Tai Chi session, and the two of them soon paired up with John and Pippa Phillips to bring instructor Josie and her class to Lions Bay. With the support of Village Council and local residents, a fusion class of Qigong and Tai Chi has been running in the Village since 2016.
Qigong comes from the words for 'Life force' and 'gathering', and is essentially an internal process that is externalized in movement. "Qigong is the starting movements of Tai Chi," says Conlin. "We follow the instructor's lead to exercise the body through stretching motions that improve our bodies, help maintain our health and wellness, and prepare us for the Tai Chi forms we are learning or practicing each session."
Conlin says that Qigong is her favourite part of the lessons. "My eyes follow the instructor, my body moves to the voice or music and my body stretching is my personal meditation, my way."
She adds that even if she is not up to the discipline of Tai Chi (due to injury, for example), she will still participate in the Qigong part of the class. "My whole body benefits from the movements and I feel so much better than when I entered the class."
Participant John Phillips echoes this sentiment. "Tai Chi requires discipline and practice so that you can learn the moves through repetition. There is a sense of accomplishment from finally learning the moves at the level of 'body memory' not having to think about them - being 'in the flow'."
Phillips emphasizes that Tai Chi is a martial art, and adds that building strength and flexibility can benefit both men and women.
The fall session begins September 10 and runs for 13 Tuesdays from 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at the Village Hall. The cost is $130, which can be paid on the first day of class by cash or cheque, or via Interac to: lbseniorssocialcircle@gmail.com. Registration is required and can be completed online HERE.
The classes are sponsored by the Lions Bay Senior's Social Circle, and all adults and genders are welcome. Pippa Phillips, another of the organizers, notes that no experience is necessary. "Our instructor Josie is highly experienced and professional," she says. "The focus is to exercise in a relaxed, non-competitive environment, while having fun."
Participants are invited to arrive at 11 a.m. for a chat with the group and a free cup of herbal tea before the session starts each week. For more information, contact Carole Conlin at conlin@sfu.ca.
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