By Moises Bierd
Bronx Journal Staff Writer
A stream of relaxation runs through their muscles as they embrace the loud silence of nature. Their muscle contractions imitate the movements of the wind and trees. Their arms sway, they extend their legs. Torsos bend to the side, like a branch in the breezy days of fall.
They are participants in a tai chi (tie chee) class in the Bronx. Irving Yee conducts the course in Wave Hill, a public garden and cultural center. The non-profit describes the class: “Quiet like a mountain, moving like a river, tai chi is a sequence of gentle movements based on images found in nature.”
The class meets on Saturday mornings and the cost varies, depending on whether participants are members of the club. Claudia Bonn, the organization’s director, said they have drawn a steady stream of people who want to engage in the martial arts.
“It’s growing very popular and more people are attending weekly,” Bonn said. “I feel like some of them join because they are retired and want to maintain health through the benefits of tai chi.”
Cynthia Ming, a tai chi instructor, says that the martial art form can prevent long-term illness as a person ages. “It helps you release tension in the muscles and bones and relieves the stress you are facing,” Ming said. “People may not know, but it also enhances mental health through a sort of meditation in movement.”
An ancient Chinese martial art form, tai chi has gained popularity among Americans throughout the west and is slowly making its way to the east.
It is an old tradition known as “t’ai chi chuan,” translated by the Oxford Dictionary as “great ultimate boxing.” It dates back centuries and was once used primarily for self-defense. Over the years, it has turned into an art of meditation.
“It imitates the movements of the wind and trees,” said one participant, Lisa Kundert, 29. “It is pretty fascinating to know that your moving according to your environment.”
Tai chi class participants range in age. Sixty-one-year-old Rachel Dawson said she learned about tai chi through a friend.
“I don’t know if the placebo effect has risen in this situation, but I definitely do feel like I have relieved some stress,” Dawson said. “It definitely does calm you down. I can say that.”
The simplicity of the movements can be deceptive because they are often physically demanding.
“It requires you to get really low, to points where you would think you weren’t able reach,” says Kundert. “But, over time, you feel like your body enables you to go lower and lower and keep up. Tai chi has made me more flexible and has definitely strengthened my legs.”
Brian Schneider, 32, has been doing tai chi for about four years. In addition to de-stressing, Schneider says there were side benefits to the class.
“Well, I can say it has definitely helped me interact more with people and I actually met my girlfriend through it, so it I can’t complain,” Schneider said as he laughed. “No, but on a serious note, it makes me relax more and concentrate better. Nothing better than starting your day off with some tai chi.”
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