Be calm, focused and energised with Tai Chi

POPULAR local physiotherapist, sixth Duan black belt in Tai Chi/Wushu and International Action Martial Arts Hall of Honour inductee Raymond Lee will host several free Tai Chi lessons over the coming weeks.

The first lesson takes place in Hargreaves Mall on Wednesday 22 January from 10am to 10.45am.

The second and third will be held outside the Kangaroo Flat Library on Wednesday 29 January (10am to 11am) and on the Bendigo Library lawn on Saturday 1 February (9.30am to 10.30am).

Mr Lee, who runs Welby Holistic Healing in Golden Square, said at its core, the ancient martial art is about conserving energy, being body efficient, staying calm, and being focused when faced with physical or mental challenges.

“The movements and conditioning exercises help you stay centered, clear-minded, and ready for anything,”he said.

“Let’s be real – we don’t need to fight off bandits anymore, but what’s amazing is that research shows these ancient practices can still benefit us in today’s world.

“Tai Chi helps you strengthen your body and stay balanced.

“Whether you’re facing a stressful situation or just trying to keep your health in check, it teaches you to respond with calmness and clarity.”

He said the goal of the upcoming classes is simple – to get everyone moving.

“When we move, we release happy chemicals from our nervous system, (we) relax and feel good,” he said.

“You move at your own pace and you’ll feel great, don’t worry about being perfect.

“If you’re not sure, you can always watch the first time or just join in when you feel like it.

“The idea isn’t to master Tai Chi in one go; it’s about using basic techniques to help everyone feel connected and positive.

“We keep the movements simple and accessible so everyone can join in and feel awesome about moving their bodies. At the end, we usually do a little demonstration of what advanced practice looks like, depending on how much time we have.

“It’s a fun way to show what’s possible if you keep going.”