Tokelauan Tai Chi Class goes from strength to strength
Monday, 18 February 2008
For immediate release
More than 20 Tokelauan people are attending the Presbyterian Support Central Tai Chi class at the Pahina O Tokelau Church. The class is a mix of ages from 55 to 70, male and female. All of the participants are Tokelauan and the class is taught in Samoan and English.
“The class has grown over the past 4 weeks and everyone who started is returning every week”, said Minister Tui. “Not only does it get the older people moving, with it being held twice a week great friendships are being made”, he said.
The modified Tai Chi class is funded by ACC. The aim of the classes is to prevent falls in older people who live in their own home. The classes are for anyone 65 years and over, as well as for Maori and Pacific Islanders who are aged 55 and over.
Presbyterian Support Central runs Tai Chi classes in a number of areas around Wellington, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, and Kapiti Coast. The programme includes classes twice a week for a total for 20 weeks. It helps to improve lower body strength, and balance. It also helps with postural alignment and concentration.
