Keeping our bodies and minds healthy isn’t always easy or cheap but Daniel’s free tai chi classes provide a space for people with various abilities. He shares how the practice is accessible and transformative for our minds and bodies.

Image Description: A group of people stand with their arms in the air at a tai chi class

By Daniel Doherty | Photo by Eoin Carey

As American activist and writer Barbara Erenreich once wrote:

“The pressure to remain fit, slim, and in control of one’s body does not end with old age – in fact, it only grows more insistent. Friends, family members, and doctors start nagging the aging person to join a gym, ‘eat healthy’’ or, at the very least, go for daily walks. The price of survival is endless toil.”

I do share some of Ehrenreich’s scepticism of the unsubstantiated claims of the wellness industry and the illusion that we have agency over our bodies, minds, and even over the manner of our deaths. Yet in our modern world filled with countless inventions designed to prevent us from exerting ourselves, there is really no avoiding the stark choice made clear in the famous line from Shawshank Redemption: ‘get busy living or get busy dying’.

I chose tai chi.

Tai chi requires little or no special equipment, and can be practised in a relatively small area. Not only that, but it can also act as a catalyst to improve circulation, deepen the breathing and massage internal organs.

Practitioner, Neil Rosiak, has outlined a number of major benefits of practising tai chi. There is the increased body awareness requiring the student to be attentive to posture and body alignment, which in turn develops balance and coordination. Then there is stretching and flexibility. Moving through postures places a demand on muscles thus increasing strength and cardiovascular health. It can also help to manage body weight and maintain a healthy physique. The relaxed approach to developing body consciousness facilitates stress reduction. The practice evokes a sense of self assurance and confidence and a feeling of community.

Yes, all very positive and encouraging but tread carefully, health and wellness are big business. There are lots of studies proclaiming the scientific basis for the very broad benefits of movement ‘therapies’ such as qigong and tai chi. However, the results of these studies are mixed – numerous proposed benefits may be identified but with varying levels of evidence and confidence. The scientific basis appears to remain elusive. So, I asked those at my Govanhill class what they get out of the classes. Olanna said:

“The tai chi classes are helping with my balance and get some basic strength and resilience. I have dystonia and concentrating on physical exercise makes me feel less disabled and gives me the energy to do more things… The regular class helps me to timetable my day. The class itself is always helpful, and when I can attend, I notice that my walking afterwards is always improved, and I am more sure footed. There is mental discipline in tai chi, and also in getting to the venue and back.”

Another regular attendee Sandi told me:

“I really enjoy the tai chi classes. It's good to have a little gentle exercise to help with fitness and balance. It's also nice to interact with nice people and have a bit of a chat. I would recommend these classes to anyone wishing to get out and meet people and get more fit and healthy”

For me, it is an art form that facilitates creative and efficient ownership of one’s presence in the world, a conscious presence given expression in stillness and motion. Qigong and tai chi practice embodies the pursuit of harmony, harmony of mind and body, in the moment, synchronising mind and body to rhythm and flow of purposeful movement. Achievement of this goal will be a reflection of the attention given and the time and effort put into your endeavour. And even then it’s a never ending journey.

Daniel teaches free tai chi classes on a Thursday from 1:30- 3:00pm at the Larkfied Community Centre. For more info, email: danjohnnail@yahoo.co.uk