Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise that combines set movements with relaxation and breathing. Overall, Tai Chi is associated with lower levels of mental distress, reductions in depression, and improved quality of life, including mental health, quality of life (how patients felt and their ability to go out and socialize) and physical health quality of life (walking and ability to do daily activities).
Tai Chi is led in Sabal Springs by Madeline Brosius. She started teaching here in January 2010 with two students. During season, there now may be as many as 20 on the dance floor.
Madeline learned Tai Chi at Del Tura from a Canadian neighbor who recorded the “set” still used daily. The class starts with a flexibility warm up. Then she teaches specific moves before going on to the “set moves” done to a recording. Nothing is strenuous and participants do not need to get down on the floor. The older you are the harder it is to learn, but that is when it is needed most.
The Tai Chi that Madeline teaches was created by Master Moy Lin-shin who was a Taoist monk who devoted his life to studying the healing principles of the Taoist and martial arts in order to make them widely accessible. Master Moy immigrated to Canada in 1970 and founded the Toronto Tai Chi Association to introduce the health benefits to the public.In Taoism, the synchronous interaction of body and mind is a means to good health. A key distinguishing feature of the Taoist style of Tai Chi is its focus on maximizing the positive health effects of each movement in the form. His teaching is set out in the book: The Art of Taoist Tai Chi, Cultivating Mind and Body, which is written in parallel style in English and French with diagrams and photos of 108 distinct positions (see photo). Madeline invites all residents to join in every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 10 am. No reservations are needed, but loose clothes and comfortable shoes are recommended. She encourages folks to make the commitment to continued classes. Madeline says it takes time to get comfortable with the movements but it’s worth the effort
