Restorative Movement: Keeping Fit with Tai Chi

You buy or rent more than just a home when you move to a Pegasus Homes community, a suite of communal resident facilities is also on offer to enhance your lifestyle. From stretch studios, gyms, hobby rooms, indoor swimming pools, spas, and even outdoor swimming ponds, there are opportunities to maintain a healthy lifestyle – however this looks for you.

Many of our communities offer a wide range of fitness classes for our residents to join. Chair yoga, stretch classes and Tai Chi have been recent highlights. As we age, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly important. Age UK suggests that regular exercise can help us to maintain our independence and mobility, and enhance our quality of life. 

We sat down with Tai Chi Instructor Lyn to find out more about the skill, the benefits of Tai Chi and the classes she runs for our Steepleton residents.

Hello Lyn, please can you introduce yourself? 

My name is Lynne Curtis-King and I teach various Tai Chi classes in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

What initially drew you to Tai Chi?

I came into Tai Chi as my own physical problems were affecting my life. At age 56 I had painful knees and had trouble standing up from tables in restaurants and climbing stairs. I decided to investigate this form of exercise using online videos and found so much benefit, so I decided to train and become a teacher. My training took nearly two years but it was well worth it and in 2016 at the age of 61, I started my classes. Additionally, at age 61, I trained to become a Hanna Somatic movement therapist and  a ‘Bodygroove’ rock dance teacher and have run classes in all three disciplines since.

What inspired you to run classes for the  over 60s?

I wanted to teach more senior ladies and gentlemen as I know from personal experience how beneficial Tai Chi is, especially as we age. I have around 90 students on my books now and their ages range from 50 to 90 years of age! 

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you've had while teaching Tai Chi?

It has been a joy to have had many positive comments from students who are both pleased and relieved at their progress. As an example, I have been able to assist many students with knee pain, many reporting lessening back neck and shoulder pain plus one of my students (aged 76) has just had a hip replacement. She has been with me for 8 years, and her surgeon was delighted at the tone and of her muscles and strength of her whole body, and told her to get back to my class as soon as she was able… praise indeed.

"I am now 70 years old and  I am far fitter than in my mid 50’s"

What common misconceptions do people have about Tai Chi?

There are many misconceptions about this ‘Soft Marshal Art’ and when I started, it was hardly known generally and many thought it looked too easy, and as someone once said ‘isn't it just about flapping your arms about’? The answer is definitely NO. Luckily it has grown rapidly and due to TV doctors like the late Dr Mosley who recommended it and even made a TV documentary extolling its many virtues, especially for our aging population, it has become very popular.

Beyond the physical movements, what other elements, do you integrate into your classes?

As well as the physical movements which focus on improving balance and stamina, my classes incorporate breathing techniques with gentle movement, to help bring the mind into a state  of peace at the end of each session.

What is one thing you would like every reader to know about Tai Chi?

That it is definitely worth giving a go! I now have three local Doctors who recommend my classes as they have patients who have improved beyond measure with their mobility, lowered blood pressure results and more positive outlooks on being able to improve their lives.

What are your hopes for the future of Tai Chi and its role in promoting healthy, positive ageing?

I am now 70 years old and I am far fitter than in my mid 50’s. I wish to keep on teaching for many years to come and to witness the growth of this form of movement throughout the whole of the UK.

Our communities are vibrant hubs of activity, discover the facilities across our communities to maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle that fulfills you in this exciting chapter.