By Jean Latz Griffin
My arthritis doesn't hurt anymore. I think it's fun to go for a week of stretching and turning and kicking with a bunch of other like-minded people and stay up past midnight as we perfect our moves and try to add a wooden sword or saber to the mix.
And, when I had to have some pretty major surgery two years ago, my doctor said she thought it was all the Taoist Tai Chi I'd done that kept things from getting worse and pulled me through so easily.
So I'm a believer. No question about it. The nine years that I've been practicing Taoist Tai Chi has made me healthier and given me more energy, balance and calmness. The four years I've been teaching Taoist Tai Chi as a volunteer has enabled me to see the wonderful effects of this ancient Chinese exercise and spiritual practice on hundreds of others.
On Sept. 12, we will celebrate our Fourth Anniversary of teaching Taoist Tai Chi in Chicago with a free demo and refreshments at Ann Sather Restaurant, 929 W. Belmont, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.
Our form of tai chi, which is designed to promote health rather than as a martial art or competition, was brought to Canada from Hong Kong by a Taoist monk, Master Moy Lin-Shin, in 1970, and has been taught in the U.S. since 1974 and in Illinois since 1994.
This year we are expanding to three evenings a week in Chicago. Our beginner classes start on Sept. 12 and 13 at Ann Sather's and on Sept. 17 in St. Benedict's Ackerman Building ( Irving Park Rd. and Bell St. ) . We also teach Taoist Tai Chi in Arlington Heights and Lombard. For more information, please email us at illinois@taoist.org or visit www.taoist.org/usa/illinois.