Tai Chi Society’s Health Recovery Class
Posted on August 1, 2014 by bob in Health
Four years ago Enterprise resident Mel Prokiti began experiencing dizziness and vertigo, resulting in some falls. After observing a Tai Chi Health Recovery class, he began the course himself.
Mel Prokiti
“When I started, I was walking with a cane. After six months,” Prokiti says with a smile, “I put my cane away. And I don’t fall down!”
Tai Chi is a series of exercises using slow, smooth body movements to achieve a state of relaxation of body and mind. Practitioners report improved health, as well as strengthening of their cardiovascular and immune systems. As an outgrowth of their Tai Chi instruction, the Montgomery chapter of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA saw a need for a Tai Chi-based series of movements tailored to people with chronic diseases, or those recovering from illness or surgery.
“Our Health Recovery classes were started based on our experience with older students,” said Elaine Webb of Montgomery, a nationally accredited instructor of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA, “particularly those with Parkinson’s or recovering from a stroke or surgery.”
The classes use Tai Chi movements, but are structured more toward rebuilding muscles, tendons and ligaments. But it’s not just improvement of physical ability Tai Chi’s Health Recovery class provides.
“We’re also helping build new neural pathways,” said Webb, addressing memory problems that can develop as we age.
Rosa Leggett with granddaughter Daisy.
A demonstration at a health fair at her church brought Rosa Leggett to the Health Recovery class. Before she started, she used two canes to get around.
“The exercises made all the difference in the world,” she said. “I don’t use my walking canes anymore, my back doesn’t hurt like it did, I don’t take pain pills, I’m more flexible.”
“We saw people, primarily seniors, who were embarrassed by their limitations,” said Janet Hutto, also a nationally accredited instructor.
“They were uncomfortable around other seniors and adults who were more able and fit.”
The Health Recovery class includes range of motion, strength and balance exercises, all with one goal in mind.
“We want to keep adults and seniors as confident, independent, flexible and pain-free as possible,” said Hutto.
Following bypass surgery earlier this year, Rose Shook, normally a very energetic person, noticed she had little energy. She had practiced
Rose Shook
Tai Chi prior to her surgery, and enrolled in the Health Recovery class.
“At first I couldn’t bend my neck, I couldn’t turn my neck,” Shook explained, turning her neck. “It’s the best physical therapy ever.”
At times she has to sit and rest during the exercises, and she may not make it through the complete session.
“But if it hadn’t been for this,” she said, “I wouldn’t be where I am now as far as improving my energy level.”
