Tai Chi Tigers
Life Qi are looking for Tai Chi instructors
Fit as a Fiddle with Men United
On Wednesday 16th February, our Staying Well workers in North Halifax paired up with the Men United Group to host the wonderful ‘Fit as a Fiddle’ Event.
This event was to educate and provide information to Men of a certain age how to look after their physical and mental health. As we age, our bodies change in many ways and the level at which we function, think, and move all vary from person to person. We decided to work with a local community group to showcase key activities that can improve your health and wellbeing at whatever age you are at.
Everyone was asked to arrive from 10:00, and as you do, starting off with a brew and a few biscuits (maybe a little more than a few) was the approach for this event. This was a chance for everyone to get settled and connect with their peers before taking part in 2 workshops. These workshops were delivered by Tai Chi Tigers and Healthy Minds.
Marsha and David from Tai Chi Tigers delivered a session introducing Tai Chi. This included learning key techniques on effective breathing, and utilising balance and posture by performing various movements to improve overall physical and mental health.
Nicola from Healthy Minds delivered a workshop on Mind Mapping – Exploring mindfulness activities to improve your mental health, relieve stress and anxiety and delve into different ways of thinking and expression. Grayham, one of the Founders at Men United, rounded up the gang with his infamous husky voice and divided the group into 2. Each group took part in one of the activities. After 45 minutes, the groups rotated so everyone had chance to take part in both Tai Chi and Mind Mapping.
At 12 noon, the workshops came to a halt and lunch was provided kindly by Morrisons Cafe, which went down a treat! We had a visit from Jessica and Lee, the new Social Prescribing Link Workers, who came and spoke to everyone and shared more about their services and raising the awareness of what Social Prescribing is and what extra support is on offer to local residents in North Halifax. The event concluded with lots of smiley faces, filled belly’s and more importantly, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and felt they had better understanding on how to work towards improving their own physical and mental health.
A huge thank you to Peter, Grayham and Neil from Men United, a thank you to Marsha, David and Nicola from Tai Chi Tigers and Healthy Minds, and a final thank you for all those who helped in the background with setting up / wrapping up for the event.
A successful event and a great win for us as Staying Well!
Tai Chi Tigers Breathe-Tap-Stretch free exercise routines for all!
The instructors of Tai Chi Tigers are exceptionally well and busy making videos freely, for people to help overcome the isolation and loneliness during these Covid restrictions, to improve their health and wellbeing – mentally and physically, in their own homes, on their own or with a partner, children or anyone else allowed.
They are free to everyone – take a look and try them for yourself and family here. Good idea? then please pass on and share them.
The series started as a 7-day Challenge but with such a brilliant response we felt it would benefit everyone by continuing.
So, creating a daily habit that you can fit into each and every day, at any time, we add a little more each week!
The series, Breathe – Tap – Stretch, is available on YouTube starting with this one.
We hope it will help as many people as possible – so seated or standing – sound and text prompts, we hope to have given everyone the opportunity to benefit.
The exercises look simple but trying them out, you can feel the difference – give them a go!
Please encourage people to at least try one of the videos – they are created for every one…fit, unfit, less-able, mentally and physically challenged, people hard of hearing and visually challenged with voice and text throughout.
They are simple to follow, simple to do, going through each of them at a personal pace – we hope they will help everyone – young and old.
Testimonials
We have some fabulous feedback from people who don’t know us, and people who have never done anything like this before…
“Last year I had the Virus and was very ill, didn’t go to hospital but it was very close. What saved me was remembering the Tai Chi breathing exercises that you shown at your classes” David R
“Doing the challenge every morning, before doing anything else, has given me a focus and a real beginning to the day. My mojo is back!!!” Sue H
“Thank you for inspiring us to move in a morning – not always easy at the moment. Never thought that tapping would do it. The exercises for wrists and hips are quite challenging for my arthritis but hopefully I will improve with practice.
Thank you for your time & energy”. Val H
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day Event at Dean Clough
To celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, Tai Chi Tigers will be holding a FREE event for all age groups on Saturday 28 April, 10:30am – 11:30am at Dean Clough Mills, Halifax (go to Dean Mills main reception).
This is a free event for all age groups and there is wheelchair access to the venue, the event will include mindfulness and movement.
For further information please ring Marsha on 07810 094395 or go to the following website taichitigers.co.uk look under classes or contact info@taichitigers.co.uk.
Calderdale Lower Valley blog 