Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing

[BethanyBateman]

Hi all!

Lots of our Breathe Easy groups have told us how much our members love Tai Chi. They say it’s great fun and a great way to keep moving.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing Ltd. They’re going to train our BLF Active exercise instructors so that they can put on weekly classes.

Do you do Tai Chi or something like it? I’ve done it once or twice and I loved how relaxing it was. What benefits do you get from it?

If you haven’t tried it, or if you want to join a regular class, some of our instructors are starting their classes this month. You can check them out on our website. blf.org.uk/tai-chi Hopefully you’ll love it too!

All the best

Bethany

[cofdrop-UK]

Sounds great. Unfortunately the location in Leeds is a distance away and not easy for me to get to by bus and too expensive by taxi. I will see if there is a more local class once January is out of the way, as it looks like an enjoyable way to excercise the body and mind.

Thanks for the post and link Bethany.

cx

[Cateran in reply to cofdrop-UK]

My wife goes to a weekly class in our town hall and enjoys the company and the exercise. I channel my nervous energy elsewhere, such as the Tayside Bronchiectasis Support group and NHS networking. Some of our members attend tai chi classes as well.

[mrsmummy]

Mine's also too far away (nearly 30 miles) and I don't drive now so won't manage it. I think it's a great idea though and hope the groups spread.

[hypercat54]

There is one not too far from me but it is in the middle of nowhere and everyone who attended would need their own transport. Good idea though.

[BethanyBateman in reply to hypercat54]

Oh that's a shame. Will you be able to go, as it's close?

[hypercat54 in reply to BethanyBateman]

Well it's around 25 miles away and I don't have transport so no. If it was in a local town or city then I could get public transport. x

[BethanyBateman in reply to hypercat54]

Rats. Sorry about that Hypercat.

[hypercat54 in reply to BethanyBateman]

Rats arrrrggggh hate them Thanks though Bethany. x

[pollyjj]

I would love to go but a bit too far for me. I did Tai Chi a few years ago for a while and really enjoyed it. I hope in the near future there will be a class closer to me.

take care

polly xx

[Hidden]

Hi

I too would like to attend a tai chi class, but Swinnow is a bit too far for me. I attend th Breatheeze class at St Richards in Seacroft LS14. Do you have any plans to start classes nearer to me.

Thanks

Gail

[BethanyBateman in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gail. It really depends on the instructors who put themselves forward for training. I don't know of anything in that area at the moment but, if as and when other instructors are trained, I'll post on here so everyone knows about it.

[cofdrop-UK in reply to Hidden]

I'm in Leeds too Gail. I would think somewhere in the centre of the city would be easier for those us without transport but I am aware it might be difficult to find an affordable place to hold them. I wonder if the LGI could be approached. I would be happy to pay a reasonable fee. Maybe BLF can come to some arrangement with somewhere like PureGym, Virgin or others. It would be good PR for them I would have thought.

cx

[BethanyBateman in reply to cofdrop-UK]

I'll feed that idea back to the person organising this Cofdrop

[cofdrop-UK in reply to BethanyBateman]

That is kind of you Bethony. Thank you.

cx

[Toci]

Mine is too far away and not on a direct bus route but I think they are a great idea for those who can access them.

[PaulTabby]

I can thoroughly recommend yoga too as long as it has some focus on breathing. I think it is yoga that has kept my COPD manageable and mild for many years. My spirometry test showed very good lung capacity even if my lung function wasn't that great.

Tai Chi is very good for mindfulness and control as well as breathing - I did an adult ed course many years ago but it is hard finding a decent class to learn it properly.

[BethanyBateman in reply to PaulTabby]

I'm a bit addicted to yoga, so it's great to hear that it's helping with your breathing to! I'd love to see a proper study on the benefits, like they've done for singing for breathing.

[HummingbirdM]

Would love to do Tai Chi sadly the nearest to me is 68 miles away.

[Ergendl]

I loved doing Tai Chi, but found the constant requirement to have bent knees hurt my arthritic right knee and I had to stop.

[BethanyBateman in reply to Ergendl]

That's a real shame. One of the nice things about Tai Chi for Wellbeing, and where it differs from conventional Tai Chi, is that it's been adapted so that you can do it from a chair.