Tai Chi

There are two levels of tai chi classes. There is a beginner’s level and an intermediate level. The class is very popular with the seniors. Tai chi is recommended by many doctors today. Tai chi is an ancient form of integrating mind with body and spirit. Tai chi involves ones posture, breathing movements and meditation.

Several benefits of tai chi are stress reduction, reduction of high blood pressure, improve balance, may delay progression of osteopenia/osteoporosis, opens joints diminishing arthritis pain, a gentler form for stroke and cardiac rehabilitation, and improves memory retention.

Activities

Line Dancing is the first activity the seniors can attend in the morning. The class is taught by Karen, a local country swing instructor. The dance class provides the seniors with listening skills, following instructions skills, balance, rhythm and coordination, and FUN.

Ping Pong is played by several seniors who have a running tournament. This game really gives them eye and hand coordination skills. These players are always baiting others to play.

Mahjong is the game of choice for most of the seniors on Thursdays. There are players who are so good, they don’t even look at their blocks but only feel them. There are many beginners too. There are four players to a square table. The top of the table is smooth so the blocks move with ease. There are generally ten tables so that makes forty players every Thursday. Many of the players play at other locations on other days too. The game is like gin rummy or poker where players make a combination of straights and/or three or four of a kind. You can play with three but best with four players. This ancient Chinese game is much easier than the Western mah jong game. The memory retention improves with every game. If you don’t, you will be losing all the time.

Special Events

Some of our seniors celebrating Halloween in their best costumes. Sarah Stephenson’s gorilla suite took first place in the Seniors Program Costume Contest and won a free years membership. Be sure to join us next year in all of the ghostly festivities.