Senior center offering Tai Chi classes

Walk into Blaine Senior Center on the odd Thursday afternoon, and you’ll be greeted by a sea of friendly faces. After a few minutes of conversation and moving tables, a dozen or so community members step onto the glossy hardwood floor for an hour of Tai Chi and Qigong.

The string lights above are just high enough to avoid the outstretched hands moving slowly in methodical, calming stretches.

Tai Chi is a form of martial arts and one of the most practiced exercises in the world. It doesn’t teach people to fight, but instead focuses on balance and mindfulness. People who regularly practice Tai Chi often see a multiple positive effects both emotionally and physically.

For older adults, Tai Chi proves usefull in fall prevention, soothing osteoarthritis and muscle strengthening, according to numerous studies.

Qigong is very similar to Tai Chi, but is only used for health benefits and has no relation to martial arts.

“Often I’ve tripped and caught myself and been glad I’ve done Tai Chi,” instructor Donna Hunter said.

Here at the senior center, lessons are open to people of all ages, though the instructors and most members are seniors. Classes are free for senior center members. For non-members, there is a $3 fee for drop-ins. Classes take place on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoon.

As I followed along with the various routines, I felt somewhat like the Kung Fu Panda when he first began training. When I didn’t know where my hands were supposed to be, I often resorted to a wax-on, wax-off movement.

The moves were straightforward enough, but mastering the hidden complexity of the motions would take regular practice.

Even at the age of 20, I could feel the amount of strength and balance required for mastery of Tai Chi. My arms felt heavy, and I could feel various muscles stretching in every move. Instead of flowing like wheat, I felt like one of those inflatable tube guys outside car dealerships.

The seven hours of weekly classes are led by a group of local certified instructors who were trained under master Tai Chi instructor Guo Chang and master Sitah Chen, who is known as the Prince of Tai Chi. In 2011, the group earned second place in an international Tai Chi competition in Vancouver, B.C.

When instructor Sandy Brewer hopped onstage, he encouraged participants to make sure each move is done with purpose.

“No bent arms, kiddies!” he said.

After each routine, instructors broke down one or two moves. Graham Hunter explained a move that looked much like pulling the string of a bow. There was a lively discussion about how the thumb should be positioned (final answer: like it’s actually holding the string), and we were off to the next routine.

Instructor Sasha Hatton’s passion for Tai Chi is evident.

“I’ve done every form of exercise and this has been better than all of them,” Hatton said. “You’re always getting better; you’re never perfect.”

When Brewer explained Tai Chi to me after class he bent his knees and raised his arms to demonstrate, halting his breath after each word as he explained how each movement is done with purpose.

“What can I say, I’m high on it,” Brewer said, pressing his eyes shut contentedly.