Tai chi: no pain, huge gains

By Sabine Wilson

For the TODAY

For those looking for a great way to softly but effectively move their body, improve flexibility, build community and better their mental wellbeing, there is a wonderful (and free!) opportunity in weekly tai chi classes.

Held on Mondays and Thursdays at St. Peter the Fisherman Lutheran Church in Lincoln City, the workouts have evolved over time.

Kathy Santos, who leads the Thursday group, said there has been an ongoing workout group at the church since 2004.

“We used to follow along with a Richard Simmons VHS tape,” she said.

As the group transformed, Santos met a friend who was certified in tai chi and was looking for somewhere to practice. In 2019, they posted an ad in Oregon Coast TODAY and began a new tai chi workout class.

Diagnosed with fibromyalgia, Santos saw the benefits tai chi yielded for her body and felt strongly about encouraging others to engage in the medicinal workouts.

“Eventually my friend who was certified moved away but I wanted to keep the much-needed workouts,” Santos said. “Our group took a vote and decided to keep moving forward with what we had learned from our teacher and then my friend, Ladonna Love, said she would co-lead with me.”

Tai chi, also known as ‘taiji’, ‘taijiquan’ or ‘shadow boxing’ is one of the major branches of traditional Chinese martial arts. The discipline’s earliest known reference was in the “Book of Changes” during the Zhou Dynasty more than 3,000 years ago. The book explained “in all changes exists tai chi, which causes the two opposites of everything.”

The classes contain people from all walks of life, from 10 years old all the way up to 95. The group has managed to create a no-pressure environment, with people trickling in at different times coming from work and other responsibilities and participants knowing they are more than welcome to take a break when they need it.

“We started doing the workouts because my daughter saw the sign outside the church last month and wanted to attend,” Camille Kea said about her 10-year-old daughter Belle. “And now we go together as mother and daughter. The workouts are lovely because they are quiet and you are able to focus on your body instead of everything else you need to do outside that room.”

During the exercise, participants gather in a circle with chairs for any needed support as they make the slow movements while taking deep and mindful breaths. The fluid movements embody a kind of meditation which encourages the muscles to relax more than other kinds of exercise while still being challenging. This type of movement makes it more accessible for all ages and to those with more limited mobility.

“The workouts begin with a warm up and then move into the 18 steps of qi gong followed by eight steps of shaolin and then 10 steps of tai chi,” Santos said. “We then have a cool down and a self-lymphatic massage.”

The cool down involving pressure points was introduced by Love, the Monday leader, who is also a retired nurse. 

“The tapping of the acupressure points improves the flow of energy and helps to maintain health,” she said. “That’s the goal of our workouts.”

Love has also has experienced the various benefits of tai chi.

“Tai chi has increased my balance and flexibility,” she said. “I always come here tired and I leave feeling energized.”

“The practice gets you in touch with yourself while getting the world away from you,” said fellow participant Jeanine Scanlan. “Who would not want that?

And on top of the physical, mental and spiritual benefits, you become a part of the community.

After some of the workouts, the group sits together with light beverages and snacks and talks about their days. Whether it is for community or to try something healthy and new, this just might be the group for you.

Classes take place on Mondays at 4 pm and Thursdays at 5:15 pm at St. Peter the Fisherman Lutheran Church, located at 1226 SW 13th Street. For more information, go to the “Lincoln City Tai Chi Qigong” page on Facebook or call 541-921-9243.