Tai Chi Demonstration At Senior Center

By Nancy K. Crevier

Demonstrating once again the need for more space at the Newtown Senior Center on Riverside Road, dozens of senior citizens crowded into the main room there on Tuesday, July 11, to take part in an introduction to Tai Chi and Chi Kung, taught by Steve Kurimai.

Mr Kurimai has been practicing Tai Chi and Chi Kung, the gentle arts of movement, for 12 years and has taught at various senior centers and continuing education programs for eight years. Tai Chi, he explained, as he led the group through various poses and breathing exercises, is a whole body activity. The use of deep diaphragm breathing coordinated with small, smoothly flowing movements, is said to improve balance and encourage relaxation.

The initial exercise, which focused on an arm-swinging motion combined with deep breathing, seemed simple. “There is more going on than is apparent, though,” said Mr Kurimai, as the crowd, some standing and some seated, followed his example. “Listen to your body,” he suggested. “Your arms may feel a little tingly, a little heavy. It should feel like your joints are opening up.”

What is sought, said Mr Kurimai, is a state of “relaxed attention.” The eyes are the guides, he explained, for each movement. “The body should be neither stiff nor limp and collapsing.”

Fortunately for the many who wanted to take part, the ancient Chinese practices consist of still poses and movements involving small steps. “There is nothing to be gained from a big step,” Mr Kurimai explained. “A big step pulls off-balance. We want a gradual shift of weight from foot to foot.”

The Arthritis Foundation endorses the gentle movement exercises. The program will be offered on a regular basis beginning Tuesday, July 18, from 1 pm to 2 pm at the Senior Center. “We will accommodate anyone who wants to take it,” said center director Marilyn Place. “Tables and chairs will be moved out of the main room and other activities will be moved to the smaller rooms.”

Call the Senior Center at 270-4310 for registration information.