Tai Chi has many health benefits, which locals can get a taste of this weekend. Photo / Stephen Parker
Rotorua people are being offered a rare opportunity to learn Tai Chi in a weekend.
The Rotorua Taiost Tai Chi society will be holding an intense workshop which begins tonight and ends Sunday.
Participants would learn all 108 moves, said Rotorua Tai Chi instructor Karen Bogun.
"It's quite full on and intense, but it suits quite a lot of younger people which is why we try and spark some interest with younger people because of the health giving benefits.
"This form of Tai Chi is for health and longevity, it is non-combatant and non-competitive, but you can still see the martial art aspect of it.
"Some people describe it as Chinese line dancing or Taekwando on valium but it takes your body through a whole range of movements which are excellent for joints, tendons and muscles and the biggest muscle of all - the brain. It helps calm the brain leaving you refreshed at the end of it. I've been doing it for 24 years, it's an awesome exercise, it's good for you mentally and spiritually as well.
"People think it's an old person's thing and it's not, if we got more people doing it while they were younger we would not have as many old-age diseases."
Tai Chi had many benefits for sports people, as the gentle moves focussed on ligaments and joints, helping injuries to heal, she said.
Where it would normally take five to six months of classes to learn the moves, instructors were able to jam-pack lessons into a weekend which could act as an introductory course or a refresher course.
Details
What: Learn Tai Chi in a weekend.
Where: Rotorua Taoist Tai Chi Society, 1227 Haupapa St.
When: Tonight to Sunday afternoon.
How Much: $145.
For more information www.taoist.org/rotorua.
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