Dora Garlick, aged 74, retired actress
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
In 2003. Sixteen years ago, I lost my husband with cancer and I had to get out. So I joined a Taiji class and an art class. It was a different form of Taiji. I did it about three years and then they closed the school down unfortunately. It's over 10 years since I've done any Taiji. So I had to start over when I came to Age Concern, to the Taiji class here.
Q : How does Taiji benefit you?
I feel much better since I joined it. My bones don't crack the same. When I come out of this class I feel buoyant and, you know, really well. It's good for your mind and bones and everything. We're all old but I find everyone has a similar experience of Taiji's benefits.
Ms Peebles, Age 65, voluntary worker for Age Concern
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
I came to do the classes first of all and then I got roped into being a volunteer. This is my third session, we do 12 week sessions.
Q: How does Taiji benefit you?
I'm a lot better since we started doing it. I have arthritis of the spine so it's helped me such a lot. I hardly have any pain with it now. My pain was very bad in the lower part of the back. But, since I've been doing this, I've hardly suffered with it at all. It also shows you how to relax so it benefits you in a lot of ways. And I enjoy it!
Mary Johnson, retired local government officer
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
I started four years ago but the class was discontinued. So I came to Liming's class last September [2003].
Q : How does Taiji benefit you?
Well, I've got very bad arthritic knees and feet and it helps with that because the exercise that we do helps the fluid that runs down the side of your knee and that helps. They don't hurt as much. Some of the other benefits I feel are in the things Liming teaches. He taught us a specific exercise with your ears which is good for inner balance. It sounds silly but this [tapping behind the ears] affects your spinal column -- it reverberates right down your back. Now, I used that on a plane and my ears didn't hurt. Also, I like the calming influence that Taiji brings. I like the fluid movement. I've certainly got a lot more flexible since I did it. My feet and my knees don't hurt anything like as much.
Irene Beech, retired personal assistant, UMIST
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
I used to go to a gym when I was working and I did a little bit of it. And now I'm retired, I want to keep fit. I've only just joined.
Q : How does Taiji benefit you?
I was surprised at its gentleness at first, yet these movements were using muscles. My legs ached a bit. But, I'm really getting into the .flowing movements and enjoying
them. I feel that my coordination, even though I've only been doing this a little
while, has improved. I mean, when I first started, I couldn't do a thing like Liming did. But now I find that the movements are becoming natural. I want to get more into that flow.
Sylvia Dearden, Age 64, retired word processor operator
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
I went to another class for about two and a half years before coming to Liming. I've been here six months or something like that.
Q : How does Taiji benefit you?
It helps me because. I've got rheumatoid arthritis and I'm very stiff in the morning and I get quite a lot of pain at different times. But, the movement of Taiji helps you, gently, to work all through your body, your muscles and tendons and everything. It just helps you to move better. Mobility is a key thing, for me, and Taiji has really helped. Plus, I go for blood tests every six months and when I was measured last, he [the health practitioner] said, "you've grown." I said, "I haven't," you shrink when you're getting older. But, he was right. I'm 64 now, but I'm standing better, my posture is better, I look like I've grown a bit. But, it's the alignment of my spine. With standing better and getting everything in its right place, I've grown a bit! All through doing Taiji. Alignment of your body is very important in Taiji. You do it unconsciously after you've been doing Taiji a while and you don't realize, perhaps, what bad posture you had before. I mean, in my thirties I couldn't walk about very well because of my knees being so painful. But, I'm better in my sixties, quite honestly, for mobility, through Taiji I think. There are benefits that you don't realize until you think back, perhaps, before you started doing it. Balance, for example. I can go and try a shoe on now and balance on one leg. So, my balance has improved tremendously because, with my knees, I'd have had to have sat down to try a shoe on before Taiji.
Iain Campbell, aged 68
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
I was starting to have problems with arterial blockage, and problems with balance, like staggering. In general, bad health, you know. So, I started Taiji just over two years ago, incredible difference.
Q : How does Taiji benefit you?
Well, I d had a heart attack in 1997 and became diabetic. But, what an amazing recovery I've made since starting Taiji, you know. I've been back for several heart scans and the improvement has been tremendous. I've not said anything to them about Taiji but I know where the benefits are coming from, what with the meditation as well. My health has improved enormously.
Gwyn Fleetwood, aged 71, professional singer and actor
Q : When did you start Chen Style Taiji?
About twelve months ago. I have done a lot of keep-fit and weight training in the past but I have never done Taiji.
Q : How does Taiji benefit you?
The benefits are that I have lost two stone and I just love it. I feel much healthier. My bones are much better. I can walk further. You see I joined Age Concern to go and see my brother, who is 84 to sit with him and have a cup of tea, you know. Then he told me about the Taiji and so I joined and it went on from there. I mean it is not only the things Liming teaches you. How can I say it? You just feel better relaxed, a life is worth living sort of feeling. You just feel good. And I feel great!
