Local Study of Elderly Taking TCC

Excerpts from The Daily Northwestern newspaper, Evanston, IL, April 1994

Some Evanston residents are balancing their vital energy force instead of pumping iron. The new workout trend is called T’ai Chi, a meditative exercise that is both a mental and physical fitness program. For Evanston residents of all ages various forms of T’ai Chi are offered at the Evanston Athletic Club and at the Levy Senior Citizen Center.

“T’ai Chi Chih is a moving meditation to circulate and balance the Chi, or what we call energy or vital force,” instructor Amy Hackenberg said. Bill Payne, a Medill graduate student, learned the first five positions at his first class. “This is different than what I’m used to,” he said. “It is much more holistic.”

Many people practice T’ai Chi Chih for its mental benefits of stress reduction, greater sense of calm and renewed spirit,” said Hackenberg. “It is a tool to help you live better,” she said.

Judy Yackers, a Chicago resident, has been taking the class since the fall to help her handle her hectic lifestyle. “When I am overwhelmed, I take a break to go through the 20 movements and then I am better focused,” she said.

Many people also claim physical benefits, including improved balance, flexibility, coordination and increased strength, said Hannah Hedrick, spokeswoman for the American Medical Association. “You can go in with low energy or be agitated or nervous or tired, and when you finish even 20 minutes of T’ai Chi you feel a decrease in these symptoms,” she said.

Two years ago, a study confirmed that nine elderly people taking a T’ai Chi Chih class showed clinically significant improvements in balance and coordination. The study, conducted by physical therapists at St. Joseph’s Hospital, was one of the first that offered clinical proof of such benefits.

“There are not nice, neat statistical tests you can do,” said Nancy Meyer, a clinical specialist in geriatric medicine at St. Joseph hospital. “But if we can do something as simple as improve flexibility, for an elderly (person), that may be a significant improvement in the quality of life.”

These factors may account for the popularity of the T’ai Chi Chih classes offered at the Levy Senior Citizens Center too. The center offers eight week sessions throughout the year, primarily for seniors.

Hedrick, who said T’ai Chi Chih has grown in popularity in the Chicago area in the past three years, said one advantage of such exercise is that it can be done anywhere. “People used to look at me funny when I did Yoga waiting in line at the bank, but they never do when I am doing T’ai Chi,” Hedrick said.