Hello Lyn, please can you introduce yourself?
My name is Lynne Curtis-King and I teach various
Tai Chi classes in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
What initially drew you to Tai Chi?
I came into Tai Chi as my own physical problems
were affecting my life. At age 56 I had painful
knees and had trouble standing up from tables
in restaurants and climbing stairs. I decided
to investigate this form of exercise using online
videos and found so much benefit, so I decided
to train and become a teacher. My training took
nearly two years but it was well worth it and
in 2016 at the age of 61 I started my classes.
Additionally, at age 61, I trained to become
a Hanna Somatic movement therapist and
a ‘Bodygroove’ rock dance teacher and have
run classes in all three disciplines since.
What inspired you to run classes for the
over 60s?
I wanted to teach more senior ladies and
gentlemen as I know from personal experience
how beneficial Tai Chi is, especially as we age.
I have around 90 students on my books now
and their ages range from 50 to 90 years of age!
What are some of the most rewarding
experiences you've had while teaching Tai Chi?
It has been a joy to have had many positive
comments from students who are both pleased
and relieved at their progress. As an example,
I have been able to assist many students with
knee pain, many reporting lessening back neck
and shoulder pain plus one of my students
(aged 76) has just had a hip replacement.
She has been with me for 8 years, and her
surgeon was delighted at the tone and of her
muscles and strength of her whole body, and
told her to get back to my class as soon as she
was able… praise indeed.
What common misconceptions do people
have about Tai Chi?
There are many misconceptions about this ‘Soft
Marshal Art’ and when I started, it was hardly
known generally and many thought it looked too
easy, and as someone once said ‘isn't it just about
flapping your arms about’? The answer is definitely
NO. Luckily it has grown rapidly and due to TV
doctors like the late Dr Mosley who recommended
it and even made a TV documentary extolling
its many virtues, especially for our aging
population, it has become very popular.
Beyond the physical movements, what other
elements, do you integrate into your classes?
As well as the physical movements which focus
on improving balance and stamina, my classes
incorporate breathing techniques with gentle
movement, to help bring the mind into a state
of peace at the end of each session.
What is one thing you would like every reader
to know about Tai Chi?
That it is definitely worth giving a go! I now have
three local Doctors who recommend my classes
as they have patients who have improved beyond
measure with their mobility, lowered blood
pressure results and more positive outlooks
on being able to improve their lives.
What are your hopes for the future of
Tai Chi and its role in promoting healthy,
positive ageing?
I am now 70 years old and I am far fitter than
in my mid 50’s. I wish to keep on teaching for
many years to come and to witness the growth
of this form of movement throughout the whole
of the UK.
"I am now 70
years old and
I am far fitter than
in my mid 50’s"
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