The Superior Express -

Here we go again! No, not Momma Mia 3, just Tai chi- Winter and Spring, and hopefully a better new year!

I thought I would give you a little history on Tai chi and how it came to Nelson. It was first documented in the later half of the 1600s. The Chen family, a military clan, lived in a village where there were a lot of raids, muggings and gang violence; so the Chen family taught the villagers Tai chi. This was an excellent practice for hand-to-hand combat, while also a practice that could rebuild the body from the inside out.

For years the practice of Tai chi was a secret art. Then one day, an outsider came looking for work. He looked like he could be trusted so they let him work the fields. As time went by, he proved to be loyal and trustworthy so they taught him Tai chi. Later, he decided to return home. Upon leaving, he asked if he could teach Tai chi to his people. They okayed it and this led to Tai chi’s explosion in popularity in China and later throughout the world.

Now to bring us up to date; a young man we will call Suman, was born and raised in Mongolia. For some reason Suman went to China. While there, he learned Tai chi and wanted to share it. From there he went to India and taught Tai chi and also learned Yoga. From there he went to Europe, Germany, France and other countries, teaching Yoga and Tai chi. He eventually ended up in the United States. In Oregon he taught Tai chi and Yoga helping in rehab.

Suman was teaching 24 forms of Tai chi. He heard seniors were falling and breaking bones, sometimes even dying and he wanted to help. He picked out eight of the 24 forms that he thought seniors would like and could handle easily, while gaining better strength and balance. That is how we got to where we are today!

The winter-spring session will start Tuesday, Jan. 5, and run through March 25. Sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

If you have any questions, please call Dennis Melvin at 402-225-4011. Come to feel better and have a good time!