Free tai chi classes for wellness

START your mornings with a gentle form of traditional Chinese martial arts this spring season with the help of WELBY Holistic Healing.

The wellbeing practice is hosting free tai chi classes throughout September and October at the Dai Gum San precinct, in partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo.

Instructor Raymond Lee said the beginner friendly classes would suit all abilities and ages, and help people get in tune with their own body.

“What we’re doing is just an introduction class to get people moving, to start learning about their body because there’s so much complexity and depth in this form of exercise,” he said.

“The series of exercise programs we’re running for the City is keeping it really basic. We try to empower people, enable people, and keep it really simple so everyone can start to mobilise, move around and strengthen their body in a really gentle way.”

The classes will run through a set of conditioning movements that Mr Lee described as a “moving meditation.”

Instructor Cairo James said the program could also help people’s mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A lot of the people who have come to it in the previous ones have really enjoyed it and feel like they can start their day a little bit better,” she said.

“They feel a bit clearer and it’s helped them cope a little bit more with COVID, particularly mentally.

“They feel like they can switch off and just focus on the movement, their body, their breathing and being in a really nice space.”

Spots are limited, and participants are encouraged to arrive early to the 10am classes held every Wednesday morning until November and every second Saturday in October.