Taoist Tai Chi At Sydenham's Grace Centre

Apr 24, 2014

Close to 30 participants, including many newcomers, attended the Taoist Tai Chi open house that was held at the Grace Centre in Sydenham on April 17. Regular classes take place at the centre on Thursdays from 1-3pm and are led by long time Tai Chi practitioner Terry Kirkham of Kingston.

Kirkham, who is a very youthful 76 years of age, has been practicing Taoist Tai Chi for 17 years, and she explained how it has benefited her overall health. “I think that if I hadn't begun the practice I would not have the flexibility and balance that I have today,” she said. Kirkham teaches classes in Sydenham and in Belleville and is also a student herself, taking classes three days per week.

At the open house, Kirkham led the group and demonstrated some of the movements, which she explained are “based on variations and repetitions of 35 different movements, which comprise 108 movements in total that are carried out in one continuous flow called a set. A set on average takes 15 minutes to complete. The practice can be thought of as one continuous movement and is in a sense a form of silent mediation," Kirkham explained. “It's done very quietly and is great for stress because when you are practicing, you really can't think about anything else.”

Kirkham said that the main aim of Tai Chi is to maintain one’s overall health, and many who take up the practice do so for health reasons. “Many who have various health issues find that the practice relieves those issues and I personally have found it improves balance, strength and flexibility and overall concentration.” She said that certain practitioners in Kingston, who started off attending classes in wheelchairs, no longer use them.

While the class is open to all ages, seniors make up a largest portion of participants, which Kirkham said is likely because they have on average more free time.

The Taoist Tai Chi organization was started by Master Moy, who came to Canada in 1970 from Hong Kong He started classes first in Toronto and then in Montreal and today there are Taoist Tai Chi locations in 27 countries, with 7000 members in eastern Ontario alone. Members can participate in classes at any of the organization’s locations. The beginners’ class lasts for four months and Kirkham teaches students each movement with the idea that the student eventually will learn the movements well enough to be able to continue the entire set in class. 'It's important that people realize that it can take a while to learn the movements well enough to be able to complete one entire set on their own. Personally it took me about two years to be able to do a set by myself without having to watch someone else. You have to be patient and eventually your body will remember and tell you which way to move.”

Kirkham stressed that the practice is in no way competitive. “You learn and improve at your own rate. No one is ever perfect and as soon as you get to the point where you think that you are, someone will come along and help you improve the movements further.”

Lorraine Creighton, who is the service coordinator with Southern Frontenac Community Services, said her organization is pleased to be able to offer a space for the Tai Chi classes. “Many seniors find it very beneficial and it is another way that we are able to continue to reach out to the community and offer services that help them to maintain their health and independence.”

There will be two more Taoist Tai Chi Open Houses in the area. The first will take place on Friday April 25 from 11:15am-12:45pm at the North Crosby Community Centre in Westport. The second will take place on Wednesday April 30 from 10-11:30am at the Oso hall in Sharbot lake. For more information contact John Pariselli at 613-279-2662 or visit www.taoist.org. Regular classes also take place in Perth, Portland, and Smiths Falls as well as in Kingston, Belleville, Westport, Sydenham and Sharbot Lake.