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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-01-13, Page 66 News Record • Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Valerie Gillies Clinton News Record ATaoistTai Chi class if very quiet as once the movements and sequences are learned, there is no need for an instructor to call out commands. This adds to the meditative benefits of the activity. One person sets the pace for the set of movements and the participants flow as a unit through the variations of body movements and weight shifts. Once the participants are in position to begin a set of Taoist Tai Chi moves, they move silently about the room in synchronized movements, much like line dancers would, holding their same position in the lines, but without any background music. There is a very ethereal quality to the experience. Taoist Tai Chi in Huron Shores area Valerie Gillies Clinton News Record The Clinton group of Taoist Tai Chi held an Open House on January 6 at the Betty Cardino Centre in Clinton. This is a seg- ment of the Huron Shores Area Taoist Tai Chi club which coor- dinates services in Kincardine, Goderich, Bayfield and Clinton. Taoist Tai Chi is a not-for- profit international organiza- tion under the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism with clubs in approximately 500 communi- ties throughout approximately 26 countries with a member- ship of approximately 40,000. Doug Brown teaches the Tai Chi classes in both Bayfield and Clinton. Brown explains that the teaching is aimed at "physi- cally and mentally improving health through a series of movements which stretch the skeletal system, tendons and muscles." They are gentle movements unlike the stretches performed in traditional aero- bics or weight training. "Taoist Tai Chi transforms the mind and body to the point of better balance, improved flexibility, improved strength and hope- fully calming of the mind:' It is the meditative aspects of per- forming the movements that helps to calm the mind. An interesting aspect of the Taoist Tai Chi is that 99 percent of the work is done by volun- teers. Brown has been involved for 16 years, "For the first ten years I just played at it, but for the last six years I have commit- ted ommitted to learning the walking meditation. There is a lot more to it than just the external moves, therefore there is both an external and an internal aspect to it The more you know about the art of Tai Chi, the more you learn that it is more thanjustthe movements:' Brown asserts that anyone who performs Taoist Tai Chi beyond the beginner level will, without question, have health benefits. Brown stated that there are proven benefits for fall prevention in seniors, those with Parkinson's Disease, in post -cardiac recovery and in dealing with adolescent depression. All instructors are accredited by the local branch, which for this area is Stratford. The Strat- ford branch of Taoist Tai Chi does the promotions for the entire area through word of mouth, printed materials such as flyers and demonstrations. A handful of participants will attend parades, events, schools and nursing homes to talk about Taoist Tai Chi, give dem- onstrations and address questions. The Stratford branch offers more types of classes with a health recovery approach to give participants the benefits in spite of their health prob- lems. One of the major advan- tages for those wishing to par- ticipate is that it does not matter if you cannot stand for the classes as there is also sit- ting Tai Chi. The Stratford branch do their best to match the classes and movements to the abilities and needs of the participants. The warm up for a Taoist Tai Chi class is built around the seven foundation exercises upon which all of the move- ments are built. In the Begin- ner classes participants are exposed to 108 moves over a 12 week period. If they enjoy the Beginner classes and want to continue, the next level is Continuing classes where they refine their understand- ing of Taoist Tai Chi and the moves. Barb Moffatt is the Clinton organizer. The members who attend the Clinton sessions are typically from 50 years old to 70 plus, but all ages are wel- come. Brown quips, "We like to get them as young as possi- ble and hope they stay forever." The international website for Taoist Tai Chi is www.tao- ist.org, on which you can fol- low through the prompts to reach the Kincardine branch that hosts the Huron Shores area group. The introduction to the Kincardine page gives the history of this particular movement. "Since ancient times, Taoists have been renowned for the cultivation of health and harmony in both body and spirit. To make the benefits of this tradition available to people every- where, Master Moy Lin -shin, a Taoist monk, began teaching and sharing his knowledge of the Toaist arts in 1970." Brown enriches this history by explaining that Master Moy Lin -shin brought this art from China and Hong Kong to Ontario in 1970, which was the beginning of the Canadian groups. To learn more about Taoist Tai Chi, the local information is through Kincardine for the Huron Shores area. They can be contacted by going to the international site and follow- ing the prompts to Kincar- dine, by email at kincardine@ taoist.org or by calling 519-396-2262. David Brown is the Taoist Tai Chi instructor for Huron Shores in the Bayfield and Clinton classes. Barb Moffatt organizes the Clinton group. An Open House was held at the Betty Cardino Centre on January 6 to introduce the art to new and prospective members. The Beginner Class for Taoist Tai Chi begins their class with a warm up which includes the seven basic movements. The first movement set begins with gentle stretches.