And it was unanimous – they loved it! The Tai Chi for Arthritis class started with only 10 participants earlier this month but quickly doubled as word got out at the Hernando County Family YMCA. The free one-hour class runs twice a week and is an eight-week series. No equipment is necessary to participate.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese mind-body exercise. The class, which has an evidence-based curriculum is supported by Elder Options (the Department of Elder Affairs), which also offers the Diabetes Education Empowerment Program (DEEP) at the Hernando Y. The same instructor teaches Tai Chi.
“Their Hernando Instructor, Laura Gamba, teaches both DEEP and Tai Chi for Arthritis. Our members enjoyed her DEEP instruction so much that I figured she'd be good at Tai Chi, too, and she is!” enthuses Ann-Gayl Ellis, Membership Director, Hernando County Family YMCA.
She adds, there are several benefits for seniors.
“Tai chi is a gentle form of fitness that packs a serious health-promoting punch. With benefits that include better balance, enhanced immunity and improved cognition, it’s popular with the senior set, thanks to its accessibility and effectiveness.”
According to a Forbes article, “Health Benefits Of Tai Chi For Seniors,” “perhaps one of the greatest benefits of practicing tai chi for seniors is its ability to mitigate the risks of falling… tai chi trains you to be aware of everything going on such that you’re able to notice your breath, your mental processes and your physical sensations and movements all at the same time.”
For more information about Hernando Y programs, visit their website.
Published Monday, November 25, 2024.