Four years ago Willa Osis was bent over at the waist, looking at the floor, so riddled with arthritis she could not walk upright.
Today she has a full range of motion crediting T'ai Chi instructor Tom Hynd for the new spring in her step and jaunty attitude.
Osis began taking T'ai Chi classes in the hopes it would help with her arthritis and after only a year she was already seeing results and enjoying more freedom of movement.
"It has changed my life," said Osis
Hynd, who's been teaching for six years, said that's the reason he holds the classes. So everyone can enjoy the health benefits associated with doing moving meditation, range of motion and weight-bearing exercise that encompass T'ai Chi.
Any given Tuesday and Friday Osis and up to 40 others gather for the T'ai Chi for arthritis classes at the Elder Citizen Rec Centre. The classes, however, are not just for seniors and are open to anyone who wishes to join.
"It's just like a soap opera -- you can pick up where you left off no matter how long you've been away because it's a repetitive thing, but in a good way," laughed Hynd.
During the class participants are asked to keep a chair nearby as some people need it for support, but Hynd said he wants to make sure the class is inclusive and without barriers so he insists everyone have a chair so no one is singled out.
Noreen Rustad is another participant that says the T'ai Chi classes have helped improve her health and her stamina.
"The class began with about 15 people and now we've had as many as 40 people here," Rustad said, emphasizing T'ai Chi's growing popularity. "This type of exercise is good for the mind and the body as you have to use your brain to remember the sequence of movements."
There will be a world-wide event where 65 countries will participate in World T'ai Chi & Qigong Day April 30 and Prince George residents will gather at The Exploration Place at 10 a.m. to celebrate and honour the day during the ninth annual local celebration.
For national and international event information visit www.wordltaichiday.org. For local information call Tom Hynd at 250-563-6188.
