Why Do You Do Tai Chi? Answers from the Chicago Tai Chi Community

30+ members of the Chicago Tai Community jumped on Zoom last Thursday for our first ever Community Zoom. It provided a wonderful opportunity to connect, update friendships, and make new ones.

The lively conversation focused on a provocative question:

Why do you do Tai Chi?

Larry Friedman, PhD. An executive at the American Institutes for Research, Larry joined Chicago Tai Chi in our very first class 9 years ago. He's continued his training ever since. Larry's current practice focuses on the challenging Wu Style Long Form.

Susan Rakstang. Retired architect, and author of newly released Cooking for Her Eyes, Susan started classes at Chicago Tai Chi 5 years ago, developing an increasingly advanced Tai Chi and Qigong practice.

Jeanne Phenany, LMT, AOBTA CP. Instructor and clinician at Evanston's Zen Shiatsu, Jeanne first sampled Chicago Tai Chi in a Tai Chi for Knee Health Workshop. When we started online classes this April, she signed up, and now enjoys our Qigong, Neigong, and Wu Short Form Classes each week.

Sam Hollis. Marketing manager for Guaranteed Rate, Sam joined Chicago Tai Chi in 2019, beginning with one weekly Tai Chi 1 class. Since we went online, Sam now attends multiple classes each week, including Tai Chi 3, Qigong, and Neigong classes.

Linnea Beazley. Recently retired from multistate telecommunications provider TDS, Linnea started with our Weekend Workshops. After our shift to online classes, Linnea began attending multiple classes per week, including Tai Chi, Qigong, and Neigong classes.

Ed Rice. A seasoned intellectual property lawyer with a background in competitive gymnastics and martial arts, Ed joined Chicago Tai Chi 7 years ago, developing an increasingly advanced Tai Chi practice. Ed began teaching at Chicago Tai Chi last year and now leads our popular Tai Chi 2.5 classes.

Bob Rakstang. Combat veteran, retired company President, and Susan's husband (of 50 years!), Bob started Tai Chi classes 5 years ago while recovering from a serious injury. Like many of us, he became hooked. Bob attends multiple classes each week, advancing his practice, and offering encouragement and inspiration to our newer students. (Check out Bob's story in our Student Spotlight.)

Three main themes emerged as our panelists responded to this question. They do Tai Chi because:

⇒Tai Chi heals their bodies
⇒Tai Chi engages their minds
⇒Tai Chi has become deeply integrated into their lives

Here's what they said—

Tai Chi: Exercise that heals the body

Several of our panelists describe how the low-impact, sophisticated movements of Tai Chi have become their favorite type of exercise, while at the same time healing their bodies.

Sam Hollis noted, "As an exercise, you can do Tai Chi anywhere. No special equipment required. It's a productive way to spend down time."

Bob Rakstang remarked, "After spine surgery, Tai Chi helped me regain my balance and feel my body again."

Ed Rice described how Tai Chi alleviated chronic lower back pain. "I'd experienced low back pain for years. After several months of Tai Chi, that pain just started to go away."

Linnea Beazley reported how Tai Chi transformed her knee health. "I was on the verge of scheduling surgery, then I decided against it. Tai Chi saved me and my knee."

Jeanne Phenany noted how Tai Chi and Qigong have helped her develop greater internal sensitivity. That, in turn, helps her work with others as a Shiastu therapist. "By developing energy sensitivity in myself, it allows me to feel that in my clients more directly and get a sense of where they need to go to further their healing."

All the panelists agreed that the healing powers of Tai Chi warrant the nickname "Medication in Motion."

Tai Chi: Exercise that engages the mind

Members of the Chicago Tai Chi Community tend to be bright, inquisitive, open-minded life-long learners. Several of the panelist described how Tai Chi engages, and entertains, their minds in unique and profound ways.

Susan Rakstang noted, "Tai Chi opened up a world of self-awareness for me. Not just my mind, but my body. No matter how many years you do it, there's always something to learn."

Linnea Beazley remarked, "I really like going back and listening to beginning classes, because you think you might know something, and you’ll be surprised to find out what you might’ve missed the first time around."

Ed Rice expanded on this theme,"This art fascinates and challenges me. I feel like I will never get to the point where I know enough. Each layer to the practice has tangible rewards and new experiences."

Tai Chi: Exercise that becomes a way of life

Many of our panelists described how Tai Chi powerfully and positively benefits their lives outside of class.

Before starting Tai Chi, Larry Friedman didn't have an exercise routine or sport. Tai Chi filled that gap and much more. "Tai Chi is something I want to do most days of the week. It has become central to my life."

Sam Hollis described how, "Tai Chi spills over into everyday life. It trains me to slow down, relax." Sam noted how Tai Chi definitely helps him manage work stress.

For Susan Rakstang, Tai Chi has become deeply integrated into her being. "It's internalized in me. My mind and body are now drawn to Tai Chi. And it's something I love to do."

Interested in exploring the powerful benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong?

Our next session starts December 1st.

With our Online Classes, you can join the friendly, welcoming Chicago Tai Chi community from anywhere.

Registration for December classes is now open. Click below for more info.