The Senior Side of T’ai Chi Chih

Several weeks after my Seniors TCC class had started, I got a call from a lovely Japanese lady telling me that her doctor had recommended that she take Tai Chi classes. She told me she had fallen in her back yard recently, and was not steady on her feet. She said point blank that she was 85 years old, and she wondered if there were any students that age in my class. I assured her that there were older adults that would be there, some in their 80s.

The next week Helen arrived at class early, and told me she had come without her cane since she didn’t like using it! I greeted her, and invited her to join in with the class or just watch it, and then decide if she wanted to enroll. We set up a chair for her in the back, next to someone much younger who also uses a chair during class. As students arrived, I noticed that Helen wasted no time in being friendly and getting to know the other seniors.

The TCC class of 25 went well, and everyone seemed to be enjoying the soft movements of TCC. Helen indicated that she definitely would enroll in class. I noticed that she did not sit at all, preferring to stand for the entire hour. I wondered how she would feel in the next few hours after class. She left before I had a chance to ask her.

The next Monday, Helen arrived a half-hour early for class, wearing brand new aerobic shoes. She said, “I am the lady who started TCC last week and I have something to tell you.” I said that I wanted to hear what she came to tell me. She related the following:

“I started class last week. It was a very good class. After class, I got my coat and purse. I walked slowly out the door and down the hall. I walked slowly to my car, and I got in. Then, I just sat there.”

“I had the most amazing feeling. I was soooooo calm! In fact, I was SO CALM that I had to pinch myself, to see if I was dreaming or something. I thought maybe I was going crazy! But, I wasn’t. I felt good for three days after class. So now I am back for another class.”

Helen related this same story to the whole class when we started, and they all clapped! The support is very visible from members of the class for each other. It is a joy to share TCC with my seniors. They are brave, bold and feisty and ready to try anything. They have inner sincerity, and many have a great sense of humor. Most of all, they trust that Tai Chi Chih will be good for them. And so it is!