‘T’ai Chi Chih: Relaxing Meditation through Movement’ at NAMI
Older people know that they should engage in some form of daily, physical motion to help their bodies and minds maintain good functioning. However, sometimes there is resistance to “exercise” due to the fear of injury or soreness that might result in the inability to take care of oneself. Everyone wants to feel better physically and mentally following movement activities as well as reap some health benefits.
There is a very gentle, relaxing, non-strenuous movement program called T’ai Chi Chih. The 19 moves and one pose are soft, quiet, continuous, peaceful, and calming helping to release your inner energy or Chi throughout your body. Once learned and then practiced daily, these flowing movements become a form of meditation. As Justin Stone, originator of T’ai Chi Chih said, “If one will do T’ai Chi Chih, the movement of the Chi can plainly be felt, and that feeling is one of bliss.”
T’ai Chi Chih is known as “Joy through Movement.” It is not truly “exercise” nor a violent martial art as other T’ai Chi forms are. There is little to no muscular tension involved. It can be easily learned by the very old and very young with no special equipment or clothing required. For those with physical limitations, T’ai Chi Chih can be done in a chair. One does not have to be physically fit or especially coordinated to do T’ai Chi Chih.
Research has shown that T’ai Chi Chih and other forms of T’ai Chi are especially helpful for those experiencing anxiety and depression. The movements of all forms of T’ai Chi develop good balance and strength for falls prevention in the general older population as well as for those with Parkinson’s disease. Within the last two years, research has focused on T’ai Chi meditative movement health benefits for fibromyalgia, chronic pain management, and knee arthritis. Easy-to-learn T’ai Chi Chih improves our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual lives.
At 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church, NAMI Piscataquis County will feature “T’ai Chi Chih: Relaxing Meditation Through Movement” presented by Sherry Corbin, R.N., M.S. Corbin is a retired professor of nursing who is a direct-care Pine Tree Hospice volunteer, Gendai Reiki master and teacher, and Corbin continues to express her compassion and commitment to help people achieve well-being in the Maine Highlands. Her presentation will include background information on T’ai Chi Chih as well as the opportunity for attendees to try T’ai Chi Chih under her direction, if they wish. Corbin will be teaching eight-week sessions of the program in the autumn of 2018 in Greenville and in the spring of 2019 in Dover-Foxcroft.
If you would like to attend this free community program in Dover-Foxcroft, please register by Monday, June 4 by calling 924-7903 or by email at nami.piscataquis@gmail.com. A senior support group for those experiencing anxiety and depression will follow the T’ai Chi Chih program — call for more information.
Corbin