Senior Taijiquan is in its 9th year at the Taoist Sanctuary. Research has shown that taijiquan, when practiced on a daily basis, can be beneficial to people with balance disorders. Dr. Wolf of Emory University did a study demonstrating that the occurance of falling was reduced in senior citizens who took part in a 10 week taijiquan class. The Atlanta FICSIT report, a compilation of studies on exercise programs for seniors, indicated that taijiquan was most useful for reducing the risk of falls in the elderly.
At the Taoist Sanctuary, the seniors practice a modified version of the Yang Style Short Form, popularized by Cheng ManChing. The modified version offers the benefits of the weight shifting and joint range of motion without the stressful one-legged postures. This modified form has 12 movements, and the seniors learn it on both sides, first turning to the right, then again turning to the left. Once they have completed the modified form, they are invited to begin learning the regular short form, complete with kicks and "Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg".
The Sanctuary's class has approximately 35 students, ranging in age from the early 50s to the early 80s. Some students began the class with walkers or canes, and now these students ambulate without any assistive device. Students with a fear of falling or very poor balance are taught how to hold on to the back of a chair for extra support while doing the exercises. Several of the warmup exercises are done seated in a chair.
The main instructors are Jan Bishop and Herb Argrow, with Gloria Comagon assisting. An offshoot of the senior taijiquan class has been the senior massage program - the seniors are offered free 1/2 hour massage sessions prior to or following the class, provided by the teaching assistants, who are students at the local massage schools. The senior taijiquan class has been extremely successful, and continues to grow. A group of the advanced senior students travel around the city giving free introductory seminars and demonstrations at nursing homes, senior centers and retirement homes. The senior taijiquan class is now a regular stop on the ElderHostel tour, where the ElderHostel guests participate in the class along with the regular students. For more information on the senior taijiquan class, please contact the Taoist Sanctuary by email or post, or call us at 619-692-1155.