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Tai Chi
Please
note that there will be no meeting on 13th February, due to half-term,
and that we will be returning to St John's Centre on 20th February.
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The Mansfield Tai Chi U3A group has been in
operation for many years now and has a dedicated loyal membership of
Nottinghamshire seniors who enjoy gentle exercise..
We still have the same tutor (Ken Meade) whose expertise we value
highly, and he is well aware of our limitations. The exercises are
geared to our age group and deal specifically with breathing,
flexibility and relaxation – all beneficial in this age of stress and
anxiety.
The enthusiasm of the group and its weekly commitment bear witness to
the effectiveness of this gentle form of exercise. Benefits are evident
in the positive comments made and the high level of attendance.
I
have had an influx of enquiries recently and must put a brake on
recruitment for the time being until we return to St John's, when we
shall know the extent of the refurbishment.
Classes resume on the 9th January at The Rushley. We hope to return to our normal base at St John's late January.
Please check with me - especially in the case of dodgy winter weather.
Cliff Laycock
What it is.
Tai chi began in
ancient China and started as a martial art and for the purpose of
self-defence. It later became recognized for its health benefits.
Tai chi is believed to improve:
• physical condition
• muscle strength
• coordination
• flexibility
• balance
• pain level and
stiffness
• sleep
• general well-being
As the legend goes,
Tai Chi's origin is credited to Chang San-Feng, a Taoist monk. The monk
developed a series of 13 exercises that mimic the movements of animals.
Meditation and the concept of internal force were emphasized by the
monk.
Tai chi adopted the
concepts yin and yang (opposing forces within your body) and qi (vital
energy or life force). Tai chi aims to support a balance of yin and
yang, ultimately aiding the flow of qi.
There are various
movements in tai chi -- and each flows into the next. Posture,
movement, concentration, and breathing are essential elements of Tai
Chi.
According to a
study in Arthritis Care & Research, Tai Chi can be modestly
beneficial for people with various forms of arthritis. The study
analyzed the results from seven clinical trials . Using tai chi as the
main treatment for participants with musculoskeletal pain, study
results indicated that Tai Chi improved pain and disability.
We have a committed
membership that meets weekly. There is a small charge to cover the cost
of our qualified tutor/room hire.
Please contact me
if you'd like to know more,
Cliff Laycock
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Tai Chi exercises
were enjoyable
loosteners for members UNDER the English Channel when they were
returning from a coach holiday to Oberammergau in July 2010.
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Contact: Cliff
Laycock
Phone: 481985
email: cliff_laycock@yahoo.com
Meeting venue: St John's Centre
Mansfield
When: Every Monday
9.30 - 10.30 (September to July)
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