A free community wellness program teaching the simple breathing and movement exercises of Tai Chi and Qigong, will be held Saturday, April 24, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Lock 3 in downtown Akron.
Sponsored by Certified Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor, Nancy Gardner, NG Energy and the City of Akron, this northeast Ohio celebration of “World Tai Chi and Qigong Day” is one of similar events to be held the same day in cities of more than 65 nations and in all 50 U.S. states. The mission of this global event is to raise awareness of the health benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong and to promote a day of wellness worldwide.
“Healthcare and wellness is an international issue, yet it’s a very personal one,” says Gardner, who believes getting healthier doesn’t always have to be difficult. “It can start with something very simple such as reducing stress in our lives through conscious breathing with movement and exercise,” adds Gardner, who has been practicing the ancient art of Tai Chi for 25 years. “I see first-hand how much ‘movement’ is needed when I go into the schools and see teenagers who cannot touch their toes or squat, or talk to workers in the corporate environment who sit at a computer all day and suffer from chronic, debilitating pain in their heads, necks, shoulders and backs.”
Tai Chi and Qigong (pronounced “chee gung”) are exercises for body and mind that are widely recognized for aiding in relaxation, reducing and managing stress, increasing strength, flexibility and balance, and improving overall health. Suitable for individuals of all ages and physical abilities, these exercises are gaining in popularity as a safe and effective way to get and stay fit. Gardner also references research that supports Tai Chi exercises in treatment plans for a variety of health problems including keeping the elderly strong (and on their feet) and helping heart patients increase stamina and lung capacity.
Gardner says while behavioral change is challenging, it can be achieved. For many, it is joining one of her seven weekly Tai Chi and Stretch/De-stress classes, which she has offered through Summa Health System since 1996. Currently, you can find Gardner in Akron, Hudson, Green and her privately sponsored class in Fairlawn, all with the mindset of “giving people some practical tools they can use to begin improving their own health immediately.”
Gardner, who works with individuals in ongoing classes (from teens to centenarians), also offers “lunch-and-learn” and custom-designed programs for corporations and organizations which target reducing employer healthcare costs by having more productive employees on the job. “More than 40 billion dollars is lost each year due to sub-par job performance from common pain ailments.” (JAMA) Gardner’s lengthy client list includes accounting and legal firms, hospitals, schools and libraries.
“Healthcare costs in this country and around the globe will go down when we take greater responsibility for own wellness,” encourages Gardner. “People are anxious about the future regarding healthcare,” she adds. “I say we start breathing and moving – getting some ‘chi’ – and start feeling the wellness benefits now, by beginning the paradigm shift in expectations and responsibility!”
In addition to this program and the weekly classes Gardner teaches, she has entered and won gold medals in international Tai Chi competitions, including China. An Ohio-licensed massage therapist, Gardner also lectures on a variety of health-enhancing topics locally, nationally and internationally. One of her biggest motivators in life is working with her 80- and 90-year-old students, where she often is heard saying, “You are my inspiration!”
Anyone who is curious about how breathing and movement can effect positive change in personal health is invited to join Gardner at Lock 3 on Main Street in downtown Akron for this interactive, two-hour event. Participants are asked to bring a lawn chair, as the class will be held outdoors, weather-permitting. Otherwise, the event will be held indoors at the Lock 3 Commons.
For more information, call 330-945-5533 or e-mail nancyg@ngenergy.us.
