How did you first get started with Tai Chi? … · involved with Tai Chi or something similar, but is nervous about joining a group? Carole: I wasn’t one to join things ever, I

How did you first get started with Tai Chi?

We saw a feature on Tai Chi in the Age Cymru magazine and found that there were classes running nearby. We had a chat about it, and decided to give it a go.

Neither of us are what you’d call fans of exercise, and we’d never join a gym or anything like that, but this looked different. Age Cymru run two Tai Chi classes near us, and we now go to both of them whenever we can. It’s brilliant, we really love it and it’s really sociable.

The classes have become so popular that Age Cymru are training up extra volunteers to be able to run more classes in the area.

Carole and Sheila are friends who take part in local Tai Chi classes run by Age Cymru.

“It can take courage to join things, but there are so many benefits from getting involved.”

Have you felt any health benefits from taking part in the classes?Carole: Even though it doesn’t feel like exercise, it’s definitely helped us. We both have asthma, and it’s helped with our breathing. We love walking, but started to notice walking uphill and steps becoming more difficult. The Tai Chi has definitely helped with this.

Our balance has improved. We used to really struggle with some of the exercises in the classes, but the more you do them, the easier they get and the better your balance becomes. You can notice the improvement.

Anyone can take part. We have a lady in a wheelchair at one of the classes, and she does all the exercises from her chair.

Sheila: I did the Race for Life in Cardiff, which is 5K. I did it in just over an hour, which is pretty good. I also had a cousin from Australia over, who is a serious walker and we went out on some really long walks together.

Before the Tai Chi I don’t think I would have considered things like this before, and would have missed out.

Other than helping your strength and balance, what else do you get from being involved?Sheila: It’s not just about the Tai Chi, there are so many social activities we’ve got involved with from being involved in different groups. We usually go for a coffee and a chat after the classes, we’ve met up for evening drinks, gone out for meals and gone for a day trip in the Cotswolds and even a country and western night!

We know more people now. I wouldn’t have known all the people and friends I know if I wasn’t involved in groups. It widens your horizons. We now bump into people on the street and end up going for a coffee and a chat.

Carole: It builds your confidence. Both of our families are spread around the world, and we both travel a lot. Sheila has family in Australia, and my son lives in Hong Kong. I’m going to visit him soon. I worked in travel for sixteen years, but this will be the first time travelling somewhere on my own. I joined a family history group and discovered I had three nieces I never knew about. We’ve since all met up and that was lovely. One thing leads to another. You just never know.

The more groups and things you do, you find that you get more involved. You get caught up in it. We’ve recently talked about joining a Nordic Walking group as well, but we’re having trouble finding the time to fit any more in!

Do you have any advice for someone thinking about getting involved with Tai Chi or something similar, but is nervous about joining a group?

Carole: I wasn’t one to join things ever, I was always on the shy side. I was never that confident. Even as a child and a teenager I didn’t have confidence. Once you’ve started, it gets easier to get involved with other things. I’ve always been fascinated with ancient history. The first thing I did after I retired from work was to sign-up for a course on Egyptology, which was a big thing for me. I met loads of people, many of who are still good friends now. Over the years, my confidence has grown.

Sheila: I first got involved volunteering for the Alzheimer’s Society when I was looking after my Mum who had dementia. Give it a go, the groups and the people you meet are all very friendly. Everyone talks to you, and it’s a great social activity. It’s important to do things together, and don’t worry about what you can’t do, start by just doing what you can do and work up from there.

For more information on Tai Chi and other activities organised by Age Cymru, phone 02920 431 555 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/cymru.