Tai Chi: Ancient Exercise Comes To Abilene
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: April 24, 2012
It's all about concentration, balance and most of all deep breathing.
"You stand up straight , you relax your shoulders and you bend your knees slightly and you breathe through your nose and exhale through your nose," said Chris Mathias, a Tai Chi instructor.
Tai Chi may be an ancient Chinese exercise, but its said to rejuvenate all who practice it.
"It gives you energy , physically, mentally," said Mathias.
Just ask Petra Pena who's been taking the classes for three weeks and is already noticing a difference.
"I used to always have back trouble because I used to pick up real heavy people and now i feel good," she said.
It's believed to be especially beneficial for senior citizens who may begin to become less active.
"Usually our senior citizens when you become a senior they just have a tendency to just sit down and play cards or something like that and drink coffee," said Mathias.
The deep breathing and precise body positions are all a part of the benefits.
"It helps me to stand up straight, to breathe properly," said participant June Lambert.
That's why Chris Mathias volunteered to teach the classes at the Rose Park Senior Center.
Shes an avid believer that its the cure to many ailments seniors face- she's living proof.
"I'll be seventy years old, so, I think that says it," she said.







