By Liz Nolan, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Is there one thing you can do to reduce stress, increase strength and balance, and reduce some forms of pain? Reverend Helen Morin believes that practicing Tai Chi on a regular basis can do all of those things and more. Morin teaches Tai Chi to senior citizens four days a week in the area.
Tai Chi originated in China a few thousand years ago. It’s a gentle form of exercise and doesn’t require any special equipment or a lot of space.
“There is a sequence of moves to learn,” said Morin. “It’s an all-body workout without looking like you are using all of your body.”
About 13 years ago she wanted to reduce stress in her own life and took a Tai Chi class. She fell in love with it, started to attend class four to five times a week and practiced every day. In six months, she was co-teaching a class and in a year she was teaching solo.
There are many benefits to regularly practicing Tai Chi, including improving symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, reducing stress, improving flexibility and balance, lowering blood pressure, and improving symptoms of arthritis.
“It is often called ‘meditation in motion,’ but I like to call it ‘medication in motion,’” said Morin. “It’s not hard on your joints; it’s gentle and calming. All it takes is five minutes a day every day to see benefits.”
She has experienced the benefits firsthand as she was told that she would need a knee replacement many years ago and she has yet to have the surgery. Her knee pain has decreased since practicing Tai Chi, her grip has strengthened and her bone density tests are excellent.
Morin does warn that Tai Chi might not be for the younger crowd who may want to see immediate benefits and results. She estimates if you only practice once a week, it could take six to seven weeks to see any benefits.
“It’s not going to be something you learn instantly,” said Morin.
There are several forms of Tai Chi, but Morin prefers Tai Chi Arthritis, a form designed by a doctor for patients with arthritis.
“The way you move is supposed to open and close your meridians and allow energy to decrease pain,” she explained.
She also practices a modified Yang form and Tai Chi for Healthy Aging.
The classes that Morin teaches are geared to the senior citizen demographic because she feels there is more benefit to them from taking the class.
Tai Chi has another benefit. The theory, according to Morin, is that you are learning self-defense moves that theoretically, if you do quickly, can be forceful.
She recalled a story about a woman in her late 80s who moved to Florida. The woman was a five-foot-tall, petite, sweet woman who was walking and someone tried to steal her pocketbook. Using the fighting stance pose at a faster pace she was able to scare off her attacker.
Morin’s classes are on the calendar at the senior centers and typically run for an hour in Marlborough, Northborough, Upton and Westborough. She also teaches residents living at New Horizons Assisted Living Facility in Marlborough.