Get moving with a U3A class this year

LESLEY Sinfield moved to Torquay in November last year, but has been visiting the coast for increasing periods of time since her parents retired here 55 years ago.

Her mother did Tai Chi with the Senior Citizens, which sparked Lesley’s interest, and for the past 10 years she has been learning Tai Chi and leading classes in Qigong at U3A Nunawading, often with more than 100 students spread over three classes.

Lesley says their feedback supported the view that Qigong helps physical and mental health, increasing strength, flexibility and mobility.
Improving breathing and blood flow to organs and a decrease in stress are also known benefits of Qigong.

Lesley’s new class in Qigong is but one of 36 classes or activities being offered by U3A SurfCoast when classes get under way on February 14.

Some favourite classes continue but there are also new classes in Italian, food, First Nations and two occasional lectures, as well as the very popular organ recital with Tom Healey.

Despite two very challenging years, U3A has been able to continue many courses on Zoom, and hopes that 2022 will offer more varieties and choices for retired or semi-retired people.

“For seniors, Qigong has the added benefit of being adaptable for differing levels of fitness and doesn’t involve learning an ordered sequence of movements as Tai Chi does, so it can easily be practiced at home, which is particularly important these days when group gatherings are sometimes restricted.”

In these challenging times, this is an excellent opportunity for the integration of gentle physical movement, mental concentration and regulated breathing to help build and direct the flow of Qi (life form) around the body to enhance health and well being.
To enrol online, head to the U3A Surfcoast website.

Face to face enrolments will be held February 4 and February 11 from 10am-noon at the U3A office, 16 Price Street, Torquay.

For more information, email [email protected] or phone 0435 374 139.