Balancing life – an evening session introducing tai chi and qi gong

A NEW evening session of tai chi and qi gong is to start in Melksham next month. 

The Chinese martial arts are practiced to improve health and well-being and are known for their slow, intentional movements, gentle exercise and breathing practices with benefits to both mental and physical health.  

The sessions are being run by at Berryfield Village Hall by local practitioner Mary-Ann Pickett.  

“Following the success of the new Thursday morning group and by demand of many people at work and unable to attend a morning session, I am restarting the Wednesday evening group,” said Mary-Ann. 

One of Mary-Ann’s regulars is Jenny Spark who started practising tai chi 12 years ago as part of a pre knee replacement programme. “After both my knee operations I found doing tai chi helped with my recovery,” said Jenny. “It benefits your whole body from the breathing exercises and makes you feel good within yourself.’’  

Another regular at Mary-Ann’s sessions is Sue Farmer who says ‘‘I’m not sure how long I have been doing tai chi but it’s over 15 years. It is so beneficial to the mind and body; Dantian breathing is so helpful with my asthma and chest infection when I get them.  The way of moving helps with all joints, no matter how small the movement is. It’s quite remarkable, posture improves and the best thing is feeling calm.’’  

John Quinn, who joined just a few months ago said, “I have found Mary-Ann’s sessions to be both informative and transformative – healthy for mind and body. On top of that, they are fun!’’  

And another relative newcomer, Barb Lane says, “Mary-Ann is the third tai chi instructor I have had and is by far the most proficient in the practice and teaching of tai chi!  She is also a kind and patient teacher. Mary-Ann’s classes have helped to greatly improve my balance, help me make super new friends and never fail to lift my spirits in the most positive way.’’  

Terry Knight said, “I practise every morning and a short session about an hour before bed and find that it helps me with sleeping.

“The gentle exercises help with my balance and memory and have kept me and my joints active.’’

Mary-Ann added, “Other students have said that practising has made them more patient in stressful situations and more able to see things in perspective, which is no small feat in our stressful world.   

“On a physical level, the improved balance gained with regular practice as part of a fall prevention initiative is striking and well documented in many worldwide studies.   

“The Arthritis Foundation and Diabetes UK, together with their equivalent in the US and Australia, have all conducted and published studies that found that the regular practice of targeted tai chi sets would be beneficial to their members.  

“I do not teach tai chi for competition, but solely for the health benefits, which include improved confidence and energy. Another bonus is that age does not play a part; we are all in this together; at 30 or 70 we are all ageing and want to be as healthy and happy as possible along the way. Life should be fun and lived to the full, with the starting point of where we are now.”  

An introduction with a chance for you to put your questions to Mary-Ann will be held on Wednesday 30th March at 19.30 at the Berryfield Village Hall on Telford Drive.  

“There will be demonstrations of various elements of Tai Chi and also a chance for you to practice if you wish,” added Mary-Ann. “If you are interested, please get in touch.” 

You may book your place by contacting Mary-Ann on jmaolsen@icloud.com or on 07711 871 750. The cost to attend the presentation is £5.