September 2006 Vol. 25. No. 9

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Senior Community Employment: 30-year program to dissolve and be re-formed
AARP Safe Driving classes set September, October and November
Alzheimer's: Communication skills to make your life easier
What are your skills?: Knitting, cooking, gardening, home repair - come share with others
Fortuna Senior Services:New T'ai Chi class is launched

Pick up a copy today! Better yet, subscribe and never miss an issue!

Brought to you by

A second T'ai Chi class started for Fortuna seniors on Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church, 1431 Ross Hill Road, Fortuna.

Participants have found so many benefits from the first class, taught by Glenda Hesseltine, that the group had decided to offer another session. The class will be limited to 20 participants. Call the Fortuna Senior Services' office, 726-9203, to sign up or to get more information.

The 1 p.m. Wednesday class will continue.

Glenda has practiced and taught T'ai Chi Chuan and Qigong for the past 18 years. "If it isn't fun, it isn't T'ai Chi," she said. This is an almost non-martial martial art, building internal as well as external strength, stretching, toning and relaxing your body as you calm your spirit.

According to Glenda, it takes only six or seven minutes to complete the set of circular motions. In that time "every muscle and joint in the body will be gently moved and stretched, providing tone and flexibility for the body while simultaneously improving memory, focus and concentration for the mind."

What happened to my body? When I get up after sitting for an hour, I'm stiff. After sitting I waddle when I walk. My back is stiff, my knees are stiff, I'm stiff all over. And joint pain often keeps me from doing everything I want to do.

Well, I'm almost 70. I remember aunts who waddled when they walked. Maybe it's just a family trait. My tendency when I confront any obstacle is to fight back. So I exercise - and exercise. Some people I know just sit, feeling too much pain to participate in life.

"Chi" is the Chinese word for energy. I have lots of energy. But I use it to push against things, things like the weeds in the lawn, writing a story or people who bug me. I even push when I'm walking down the hall. T'ai Chi teaches me to relax while I am aware of and moving my body.

Glenda says that in the T'ai Chi class we are in a safe space, with no judgment. We don't even judge ourselves and those bodies that won't do what they used to do.

During the years I have developed a way of walking, head pushed forward, torso forward, each step a jolt. I'm learning to walk with my belly first, as if a string is tied around my waist and this string is pulling me forward. I call it belly walking. My foot is planted before my body comes forward. There is no jolt to my legs or back. I still have to think about it or I jolt down the hall. But I'm learning. Maybe I won't need that second knee replacement.

We work on many other areas, like breathing, calming meditation and even putting up with lines at the post office.

I see many people who have no energy at all. Perhaps it's muscle tone, depression, or something else that causes this. T'ai Chi could be helpful for them too.