Learn About Tai Chi This Saturday

Dedicated practitioners refer to tai chi as a “moving meditation.” They say it releases stress and increases circulation and flexibility.

Anyone with an interest in the practice is invited to come and ask questions and even be led by one of the volunteer instructors in a few of the movements on Sept. 17. Members of the Temple Terrace and Brandon branches will be providing demonstrations of the foundation exercises (Qi-Gong), answering questions about the various forms, and serving up homemade treats at an open house from 2-3:30 p.m. at the First United Church of Christ.

Brian Lau, founder of the Temple Terrace chapter, will talk with visitors about the history of tai chi and answer questions about the muscular, circulatory and skeletal benefits of the 108-move tai chi set. Lau has been volunteering as a tai chi instructor in Temple Terrace since 2002 when the group began meeting for classes at the . From those early days of one instructor offering one class, the chapter has grown to more than 100 active members.

“We now offer 10 classes a week led by seven instructors certified to teach beginning classes and three instructors able to lead continuing classes,” Lau said.

Tempie Taudte teaches beginning classes and health recovery classes. The health recovery classes on Monday and Wednesday morning have grown to an average attendance of 15. The classes modify the movements to benefit people who are seated, people with Parkinson’s, MS and other physical limits.

Lesley Spencer, who has undergone a rare knee surgery called a papillectomy, said she has come to appreciate the classes for the exercise and for the social support from people who know what it’s like to live with pain and physical limitations.

“I use a wheelchair, and I don’t want to get stiff,” she said. “This class keeps me fluid and flexible and able to have balance when getting in and out of the chair.”

Taudte, a nurse, said she has relied on tai chi as a method for maintaining good physical health and stress relief since the late ’90s. She said everyone can find some benefit in the practice, and the open house is a great opportunity to learn about it.

“The open house lasts for an hour and a half,” she said. “People should come and go as their schedule permits. We’ll have registration going on for the first beginning class starting Tuesday, Sept. 20.”

The International Tai Chi Society is a volunteer-run organization. All membership dues go to pay the costs of providing chapters with a physical space and nominal administrative costs. The instructors and the five-member board of directors are all volunteers.

The Temple Terrace chapter leases the fellowship hall at the First Church of Christ. Recently, the membership has outgrown the space.

“We’re in the process of looking at a few larger sites in the Temple Terrace area and hope to have an arrangement in place in the near future,” Lau said.

For More Information

To learn about the International Tai Chi Society, call 1-877-398-1108 or reach the Brandon branch at 813-685-1211.