Tai Chi master to speak at Skeleton Crew’s Nov. 6 meeting

    By Beth Ranagan

DEXTER — In keeping with the Skeleton Crew’s goals to improve bone health and balance to prevent falls and broken bones, Scott Mayer, experienced Tai Chi master, will speak at the Nov. 6 meeting of the Skeleton Crew at noon at the Abbott Memorial Library.

In Scott’s words, “Tai Chi (currently referred to as Taijiquan) is a wonderful, traditional approach to modern issues.  Based on the theories of traditional Chinese medicine, the exercises synergistically combine body posture with breathing and mental focus to achieve a wide variety of mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. The exercises are suited and adaptable to any age or physical ability and can even be performed seated if necessary.”

I joined Scott’s Taijiquan class that meets on Tuesday mornings at 9 at Millside Fitness in Dexter looking for a form of exercise that is gentle, healing, and spiritual. Gone are the days for me of high impact exercise and stretching, possibly beyond normal limits, to help maintain good health so that I can thrive in place. Mayer’s approach to teaching the flowing movements incorporating breathing and body awareness is careful and sensitive to the needs of his students, who are new to this form of exercise. Smooth, fluid moves are accomplished with of verbal cues presented through Scott’s pleasant, calming voice. The importance of breathing to connect with your inner body is emphasized, and being able to breathe well and efficiently good quality air every day is important to optimal health, especially for the very young and for those in their senior years.

The class leaves me relaxed but energized to face the day with clear focus in mind to encourage others to seek good health and find joy and beauty in life. The program aligns itself well to the goals of the Thriving in Place Consortium and to the goals of the Skeleton Crew. Exercise for body, mind and spirit is crucial for healthy living.

Other class members are finding positive benefits from the Taijiquan class as well. Parnel Hasketh reported that she needs to improve her body awareness so that she knows just how far to move and stretch. The program is helpful toward her goal. Liz Breault said that her coordination when moving her arms and legs together as she executes the moves is improving.

Mayer, who lives in Dexter, comes to our area with an astounding resume in Western and Chinese Medical Sciences. His background information will be available at the meeting and is available at Millside Fitness Center. He has helped over 27,000 people through his therapeutic body work. The Still Pine Center, under his direction, offers group clinics, classes and private services in healing, hypnosis, bodywork, self development, Taijiquan, Qigong and meditation. He can be reached at 370-0770 and info@stillpine.com. His website is www.stillpine.com. The Skeleton Crew is excited that Taijiquan is available in Dexter and very much looks forward to Scott’s presentation.

For more information about the Nov. 6 presentation, call Breault at 924-7292.

Mayer