Next week, locals and visitors will have the opportunity to discover the gentle power of tai chi here in the Middle Keys, courtesy of a free open house on Monday, May 19 at 6 p.m. at the St. Columba Episcopal Church parish hall.
Tai chi is a holistic exercise system that merges gentle physical movements with mindfulness and controlled breathing. Offering a variety of potential health improvements, it has become a widespread and long-lasting practice that’s suitable for individuals of all fitness levels.
“I’ve been practicing tai chi for about 12 years now, but I wish I had started sooner,” says instructor Anna Davis, who leads Marathon Taoist Tai Chi. “The main benefits are to help people with their balance and to prevent disease. The Taoist Tai Chi Society is in 26 countries. It’s a nonprofit organization and its sole purpose is to help people.”
According to traditional Chinese medicine, chi (qi) is the fundamental life force that flows through the body’s meridians, or energy channels, which are vital for all functions and overall health. Smooth, balanced, and sufficient chi within these pathways signifies well-being, while disruptions are seen as key contributors to disease.
Tai chi’s gentle movements improve blood flow and circulation, which supports the healthy movement of chi along the meridians. According to practitioners, this enhanced internal circulation is also thought to combat the rapid progression of aging, offering a way to potentially prolong life.
“Tai chi is a gentle exercise that doesn’t need any equipment,” said Davis. “As we start to age, we get more aches and pains and are not as flexible as we once were. The movements help with that. Although the average age range is around 50, there are people of all ages that participate. We practice a specific set of moves and expand and recoil our spines. It is really amazing to feel the energy in the room as everyone flows together.”
Harvard Medical School calls tai chi “medication in motion” because of its many health benefits. There is growing evidence that this mind-body practice, which originated in China as a martial art, has value in treating or preventing many health problems.
“All are welcome to come to our open house on the 19th,” said Davis. “There are beginning and intermediate levels and the session is free but we do accept donations as we rent the space.”The open house is on Monday, May 19 at 6 p.m. at 451 52nd Street Gulf. Year-round sessions are held on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m. More information is available via email to floridakeys@taoist.org, 877-398-1108 or at www.taoisttaichi.org.
