Carol Rudd, a 79-year-old tai chi enthusiast, returned to the sport after recovering from an injury.
The Woodhill resident rejoined the martial art with a local group, Tai Chi Logan, that meets at spots across Logan every week.
“Tai chi does me good and it is an all-round sport,” Ms Rudd said.
“When I do Tai chi, it makes me relax, I’m losing weight, I’m losing inches, I’m gaining more balance.
“Tai chi improves every part of your body – I’m feeling better all the time.”
She said the martial art had improved her entire life.
“I live on my own, I find that you come here, you have something to go to, you belong to people, you interact, and you make lots of friends and it makes me want to get up in the morning,” Ms Rudd said.
Tai Chi Logan holds classes around Jimboomba, Greenbank, Springwood, Slacks Creek, Logan Village, and Regents Park.
Founder and teacher Dennis O’Brien said he began training Tai chi in 2009.
“I was overweight, very inactive, and struggling with a bad back, high blood pressure, and breathing problems,” he said.
“Having spent many years in martial arts, I knew, from a health point of view, I had to give it a try from the start.
“I immediately fell in love with the soft, flowing movements of the art.”
Mr Dennis said Tai chi offered a variety of health benefits.
“It’s no magic elixir; you have to apply yourself over a length of time to get the most benefit,” he said.
“Still, we run classes aimed at the broader community who want, like, or need to exercise more.
“Tai Chi is a universal practice dating back many generations – we refer to Tai chi as moving meditation.”
For Tai chi, contact Logan Tai Chi on 0466 954 646, or admin@logantaichi.au.
Ms Rudd said she learned of the group after picking up a booklet detailing Logan’s active and healthy programs at her local library.
She also attends a diabetes management class, which she said helped her cope with the grief of losing her husband seven years ago.
“It gives you a routine and a reason to keep moving,” she said.
“It keeps you living and out with other people – I’m never home.”
The free program includes support from exercise physiologists, physiotherapists, dietitians and psychologists.
For diabetes management, contact Logan Healthy Living on 07 3365 1057, or lhl@uqhealthcare.org.au
There are more than 200 activities listed under the city’s active and healthy program, ranging from hot yoga, to over 50s basketball, to sensory bushwalking.
Find them here: logan.qld.gov.au/healthy
