Seniors add dimension to their lives through tai chi

The fast-paced morning freeway traffic on the other side of the hedges was hardly noticed by the attentive group in the sun room of the Las Vegas Senior Citizens Center.

All awareness was focused inward.

Dressed in loose clothing and calmed by meditation music in the background, the 10 students -- ranging in age from 60 to 77 -- maneuvered their bodies through slow, deliberate movements under the guidance of tai chi instructor Billie Ann Sabala.

In unison and with careful concentration, they moved from one position to the next, shifting their weight.

"This is for balance, alignment of your spine and strengthening of your legs," Sabala told the group.

Tai chi chuan, the main form of exercise in China, is known to promote calmness, mind-and-body integration, balance and self-discipline. Initially practiced as a martial art, tai chi is now a soft, slow moving exercise to be practiced in a relaxed state.

While it's still not yet common in Nevada, the emphasis on balance and alignment raises the interest in tai chi for a small percentage of area seniors.

"I feel great," says 77-year-old Pearl Ciko, who seven months ago was unable to raise her arms above her head because of arthritis, but can now raise them with ease.

"I have much more energy now," she says, attributing her recent good health to tai chi. Ciko added that tai chi takes a lot of concentration and a lot of practice, but she plans to continue with it.

Sabala is the administrator of the Lohan School of Shaolin. The school offers a complete study of the external and internal arts, including tai chi, kung fu and chi kung, and holds classes communitywide. Sabala also teaches at the Green Valley Athletic Club and at a retirement home.

"Seniors take tai chi because they hear it makes them stronger and makes them feel better," Sabala said, adding that most of her students have arthritis or bursitis, and that five students have had by-pass surgery.

"People have let their bodies go. They start depending on outside things instead of their miraculous bodies. Bodies are the best in technology that exist," she said. "These (tai chi) functions tell your body that you are still there."

Laura Phelan, physical therapist and instructor at UNLV, said tai chi can be especially good for seniors because they tend to have greater problems with balance. Phelan said seniors, particularly those over age 75, may never get back to the capability they had before if they fracture bones when they fall.

While only a small percentage -- maybe 2 percent -- of physical- therapy programs include tai chi, a lot of research is being done in the field on its possible benefits, she said.

David Witte, program director for the local Arthritis Foundation chapter, said Americans are definitely catching on to tai chi as a form of exercise, but it is something a senior citizen -- particularly someone with arthritis -- would want to consult with their doctor before beginning.

"Tai chi is real mild so it wouldn't be real detrimental for most unless they are further along in their arthritis," he said. "It depends on what kind of arthritis and what stage they're in to see whether it's beneficial."

Witte said strengthening the muscle and ligaments around the joints can relieve arthritic pain, but suggests that some students (seniors) begin with a water -exercise program before moving on to tai chi.

Sifu Stephen Baugh, director and founder of the Lohan School of Shaolin, said tai chi exercises are good for loosening up the body without taking a toll on it.

Much of the 400-year-old exercise combined of "chi" (energy in the body), martial arts and spirituality is derived from watching nature, Baugh said. "A lot of the movements mimic plants, animals and water."

Many seniors have lost the flexibility in their waist, causing constricted muscles and circulation, Baugh said.

Chi kung, which is the predecessor to tai chi and usually practiced prior to the tai chi exercises, removes blocked energy and returns the natural flow and circulation to the body, he said.

Many students are unaware of the spiritual depth to the chi kung and tai chi actions, but can still benefit from the exercise, Baugh said.

"It's the best exercise they can do at this point," he said. "My teachers in their 80s act like 20 year olds."

But tai chi isn't just an interest to seniors. Baugh has 120 students who come from varying backgrounds throughout the valley.

Sabala said the format for the tai chi class she teaches at Las Vegas Athletic Clubs for 18- to 60-year-olds is exactly the same as at the senior center.

Tai chi is a calming exercise, but it doesn't stop one from getting a good work out, the 62-year-old with legs of iron said.

"It strengthens a person. It's to enhance your health and your body," Sabala said. "Not like aerobics, which just enhances your body. Tai chi is about being able to control the area around you."

Sabala and Baugh both include chi kung exercises in their programs that strengthen the legs and massage the kidneys, stomach, lungs and heart.

"There are 1.8 billion people in China alone. They must be doing something right. It's the only civilization that's been able to survive for 5,000 years."

The Lohan School of Shaolin will be open its own building at 5150 Spring Mountain Road on Tuesday.

Until the school opens, Baugh continues to teach courses at China Town Plaza, 4215 Spring Mountain Road. Courses are also available through the Clark County Parks and Recreation Department.

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