2019 February Paso Robles Magazine

Tai Chi & Qigong
Movement Arts for a Lifetime
of Health and Vitality
By Millie Drum
T
ry Something New That is Really Old!
Tai Chi is an ancient, gentle art that is
known for its slow, meditative movements
and overall health benefits. Tai Chi postures
align the body for maximum efficiency;
using the breath with relaxed yet focused attention
and physical movements to break the stress
cycle and calm the central nervous system. With
more than 30 years of experience in the martial
and movement arts, certified instructor (Sifu)
Faye Baker guides her students with functional,
easy exercises to heal and regenerate the body
while adding comfort, ease and mental clarity
into their daily lives.
Faye adds, “Think of an exercise you can do
in your own space and time — no equipment
or special attire. Imagine an exercise of peaceful
serenity, as if moving slowly and softly through
water. Practice Tai Chi for a true sense of balance
and well-being.”
The exercises are easily integrated into daily
life; done in small spaces, standing, seated
or lying down. Once the exercise routine becomes
regular and synchronized, you can move
through your life with more ease and fluidity.
The gentle exercises move the body’s bioelectrical
energy or Chi (life energy or breath) along
the energy pathways or meridians; the same as
used in acupressure or acupuncture. The meridians
relax, the body is aligned, blood is oxygenated,
and the immune system is stimulated.
The movements have descriptive names to assist
in remembering the sequences. They
include Stork Spreads Its Wings, Part
Wild Horse’s Mane, Grasp Bird’s Tail,
Golden Ball, and Lifting the Moon.
Breathing, relaxation, body structure
and alignment are integral to these
movements.
Some of the benefits realized through
the practice are improved relaxation, flexibility,
balance, strength, endurance, circulation, range
of motion and breathing capacity. Practicing Tai
Chi can ease the symptoms related to arthritis,
Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, back pain,
heart conditions and lack of balance.
Through ongoing classes, Faye teaches Tai
Chi, Body in Balance Qigong, Body in Balance
and Tai Chi for Active Aging in addition to customized
Workplace Wellness Programs (Comfort
@ Your Computer and Stress Relief Strategies),
BODY IN BALANCE
TAI CHI GONG
February 5 – March 26
North County Campus,
Rm #N2439
Tuesday Evenings
7 to 8 p.m. 8 sessions
Register at Cuesta.edu/
communityprograms
Faye Baker
and private sessions, workshops, business conferences,
retreats currently classes at Paso Robles
Kennedy Club Fitness and through the Paso Robles
Recreation Department. She recently worked
with the County of San Luis Obispo Public
Health Department on a fall prevention program.
Visit CounterChanges.com or contact Faye
at faye@counterchanges.com or 805-238-9770
for more information.
24 | pasomagazine.com PASO Magazine, February 2019