Baptistcare residents feel health benefits of Tai Chi

Residents at the Baptistcare Moonya Residential Care in Manjimup, Western Australia, are improving their wellbeing by practicing Slo-Mo Tai Chi.

After coming up with the idea of running Tai Chi classes, Moonya’s lifestyle coordinator Angelina Reeve approached local karate teacher Klaus Mueller – who has been practicing martial arts for 50 years.

“I knew Klaus was an incredible, highly experienced instructor with a gentle and inclusive manner and wondered if he would consider running a class here at our facility,” said Ms Reeve.

Luckily, he said yes, she added. “Now after only five months, his 30-minute seated Tai Chi session is without doubt one of Moonya’s most popular activities.”

The Chinese martial art combines gentle physical exercise and stretching with mindfulness. Tai Chi is known for its self-defence techniques as well as its many health benefits making it perfect for Moonya’s older participants – some of whom are octogenarians, nonagenarians, and older.

“There is a lot of research to suggest Tai Chi can improve your balance, help you manage pain better and boost your cognitive function,” said Mr Mueller. “It can also help you increase your range of movement and give you more energy.”

One-hundred-year-old Filomena Hodgkin is a regular attendee of Moonya’s Tai Chi sessions. She said that she can feel the health benefits long after a class has finished.

“Klaus has taught me how to breathe better and I’ve noticed significant improvements in both my mood and movement,” said Ms Hodgkin. “It has become one of my favourite activities.”

Main image: Klaus Mueller teaching Moonya residents Tai Chi

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