Carol Emerson
I keep seeing the term “self-care” in magazine articles, books and social media these days and I’m really loving it. Of course, most of us pay very little attention to caring for ourselves; most of our effort goes to caring for others – spouses, children, grandchildren, even the house gets a lot of care. But ourselves? Not so much. However, in order to effectively care for others, we need to make sure we are well cared for. This can mean eating properly, getting enough rest, nurturing attention from our family and friends and, of course, exercise.
One great way to nourish and nurture ourselves is Tai Chi. This ancient Chinese exercise art benefits the body, the mind and the emotions. Comprised of gentle, flowing circular movements, Tai Chi challenges the body to move in new ways while keeping the knees slightly bent. This builds lower body strength and balance. At the same time, the mind has to learn (and remember!) the sequence, which can range from seventeen to one hundred eight postures. Emotionally, we benefit from learning new things and from having our mental focus on the exercise rather than, say, the news. Tai Chi can be very relaxing also!
I encourage you to bring more self-care into your life in as many ways as possible. It may seem selfish, but it is not. Why not give Tai Chi a try? Here is the schedule. Each class is $10. Classes are held at the SaddleBrooke One Fitness Center.
Beginning class: Tuesday 9:05–10:05 a.m.
Advanced class: Saturdays 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Intermediate class: Saturdays 12:30–1:30 p.m.
FYI…in memory of our beloved Izzy-Cat, each year we donate a portion of the income from these classes to charities that benefit cats. If you have a favorite cat charity, please let us know.
Your instructors Ken and Carol Emerson have been students of martial arts for over thirty years. Both are black belts, certified by the Ching Yi Kung Fu Association, an international organization dedicated to the practice of Kung Fu for health and peace of mind.
For more information, or to register, please call Ken 520-784-1475 or Carol 520-373-3778.