An introspective hour of Tai Chi offers faculty and staff a beneficial escape from daily stresses.
Reserved, yet completely at ease, and flowing with the energized harmony of nature, Fresno State faculty and staff move as one in the Office of Learning and Wellness’ Tai Chi class. It is offered every Tuesday and Thursday noon to 1 p.m. in the University Student Union Room 314. The Office of Learning and Wellness has offered this class for the past four years as a means for staff–and those students who register through the Learning and Wellness Calendar–to alleviate tension and promote greater health.
“Tai Chi requires a lot of focus,” said Art Lopez, a retired deputy director of the California Department of Rehabilitation and Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor. “Not emptying the mind, but quieting it.”
Although a defensive martial art in nature, this Tai Chi for Arthritis focuses more on the elements of fluid movement and control to strengthen the mind, body and soul. Utilizing the Sun-style of Tai Chi, one of the five family styles, movements are graceful, harmonized and designed to strengthen posture focusing on the five bows of the body: two arms, two legs and one spine, he explained.
Lopez, a certified instructor, has volunteered in this program for the past four years.
He has practiced Tai Chi for 20 years and continues to do so. He teaches using the methods developed by Dr. Paul Lam, a physician and well-known Tai Chi for Health instructor from Sydney, Australia.
Even though it may only be two hours out of the week, for some this can prove to be a difficult window to always find available. While 20 were expected, only four were actually able to attend Thursday’s class.
“Many register, but they don’t all show up,” said Eloisa Valdivia, the administrative assistant for the Office of Learning and Wellness.
Despite the inevitable situations and schedules faculty and staff are more than willing to try. The core group, some of whom have attended for two years or more, find it highly enjoyable and encouraging, saying that it provides them with greater stamina and dexterity as they develop.
Valdivia has helped with this program and has been a participant for the past two years. Although she couldn’t participate this semester due to time constraints, she has found it very beneficial in the past.
“It was for techniques for relaxation. That’s why I did it last year,” she said.
“Many times they are going to meetings or coming from their desks or back to meetings or to teach a class,” Lopez said. “So the time issue is a real cruncher, but it’s a good thing because they like it.”