Enliven offers free classes for World Tai Chi Day

World Tai Chi Day is celebrated on Saturday 29 April this year, which is a day to both raise awareness and acknowledge the great health benefits that can result from regular Tai Chi.

To celebrate, Enliven is inviting the community to try a modified Tai Chi sessions free of charge between 24 April and 2 May 2017.

Enliven health support coordinator Keri Paterson says Enliven’s modified Tai Chi classes are open for people of all ages, but are particularly targeted towards the needs of older people.

“Our modified Tai Chi classes are very beneficial for older people, and studies suggest that Tai Chi is great for improving balance and flexibility, circulation and heart health,” Keri explains.

“Tai Chi can also help to reduce the risk of falls, which is a common reason for older people to be hospitalised.”

Enliven Tai Chi attendee Margaret Halton has been attending the weekly Tai Chi classes at St Ninian’s Church in Karori for a year and says she is finding the classes extremely beneficial for helping arthritic joints and her damaged ankle.

“The Tai Chi sessions have helped me with my balance, strength, and flexibility. I like the fact that every part of the body is exercised at some point in the session and even though the routines are gentle, by the end I feel I have had a good workout,” Margaret explains.

“I also find the mental effort required with the co-ordination and the steady slow breathing to be very beneficial. Another bonus is the social interaction with a fresh group of people.”

In Wellington, the following classes are available on a free trial basis:

Newlands Community Centre: Monday 24 April, 11.30am to 12.30pm

Khandallah Town Hall: Monday 24 April, 1pm to 2pm

Karori’s St Ninian’s Church: Wednesday, 26 April, 10am to 11am

Island Bay Community Centre: Tuesday, 2 May, 11am to 12pm

In the Hutt Valley, the following classes are available on a free trial basis:

Stokes Valley RSA: Monday 24 April, 9.30am to 10.30am

Hapai Building, Upper Hutt: Monday 24 April, 1.30pm to 2.30pm

Avalon’s Holy Trinity Church: Tuesday, 27 April, 1pm to 2pm

Wainuiomata’s Union Church: Friday, 28 April, 9.30am to 10.30am

Petone Working Men’s Club: Tuesday 2 May, 9.45am to 10.45am (Beginners)

Petone Working Men’s Club: Tuesday 2 May, 10.45am to 11.15am (Advanced)

In Kapiti, the following classes are available on a free trial basis:

Paraparaumu Memorial Hall: Monday 24 April, 10am to 11am

Waikanae Beach Hall: Wednesday 26 April, 11am to 12pm

Raumati Yoga Life Centre: Friday 27 April, 11.30am to 12.30pm

(Advanced)

Paraparaumu Memorial Hall: Tuesday 2 May, 11.15am to 12:15pm

Raumati Yoga Life Centre: Tuesday 2 May, 1pm to 2pm

For those who wish to continue attending Enliven’s Tai Chi classes, each class is $5 and concession ards are available. Tai Chi is held at the same venues mentioned above at the same time and day each week. There’s no need to book, just show up on the day.

For more information about Enliven’s modified Tai Chi classes, call 0508 ENLIVEN (that’s 0508 36 54 83) email taichi@psc.org.nz or visit www.enlivencentral.org.nz.

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