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WILKES-BARRE —When 89-year-old Jeannette Garber, of Wilkes-Barre, tells you tai chi makes her arms and legs stronger, and 81-year-old Anne Visoky, of Plains Township, says it gives her greater balance and flexibility, you can’t help but think the smooth, flowing movements are a practical way to exercise.

But tai chi has an inherent grace and peacefulness as well, said Doreen Rakowski, 61, of Kingston, who teaches the class at the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre.

“Even the names of our movements are so beautiful,” Rakowski said, demonstrating “fair maiden works the shuttle” and “parting the horse’s mane.”

Movements called “single whip” and “repulse the monkey” sound rougher, and can help a tai chi practitioner defend himself in combat, but they are intended to neutralize rather than injure an opponent.

“In tai chi the premise is to do no harm,” Rakowski said. “You always want to step away from trouble.”

Forming a fist with one hand and holding it against the open palm of her other hand, she said the gesture means “you’re strong, but you’re also smart enough not to hurt someone.”

The tai chi class at the JCC is based on a style designed by Fuzhong Li, a professor from Oregon who adapted the traditional movements so they would be especially easy to learn and likely to enhance a senior citizen’s balance, posture and flexibility.

“The tai chi moves you off balance a little as you rock back onto your heel or lift your foot. Then you have to use your core muscles to keep yourself balanced,” Rakowski said, describing that aspect of tai chi, along with the twisting of your trunk and circular motions of arms and feet as “mini therapeutic moves.”

“How often do you put yourself into a horse-rising stance?” Rakowski said, standing with her feet far apart to show one way tai chi works the body. “You work your arms, hand, butt, belly, even your fingers.”

Practicing tai chi helps you clear your mind and relax, Rakowski said, adding she studied with a tai chi master in Las Vegas and also took a seminar at the Hazleton YMCA last year with a student of Fuzhong Li.

Thanks to support from the Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, the class is offered at no charge to seniors age 50 and older.

And it has results you can see, participant Anne Visoky said. “I’m walking straighter, they tell me.”

Plus, there are results you don’t necessarily see, class member Marsha Spear, 74, of Shavertown added. “The camaraderie is just as important as the physical activity.”

The flowing movements of tai chi have a beauty all their own and improve balance, posture and flexibility, said instructor Doreen Rakowski, who teaches at the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_taichi01.jpg.optimal.jpgThe flowing movements of tai chi have a beauty all their own and improve balance, posture and flexibility, said instructor Doreen Rakowski, who teaches at the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre. Pete Wilcox | Times Leader

Tai chi instructor Doreen Rakowski leads a class at the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_taichi02.jpg.optimal.jpgTai chi instructor Doreen Rakowski leads a class at the Jewish Community Center in Wilkes-Barre. Pete Wilcox | Times Leader

Anne Visoky, of Plains Township, said tai chi class has helped improve her posture. ‘I’m walking straighter, they tell me,’ she said. Also shown participating in the class are Visoky’s daughter, Ruth, and Linda Mellner of Shavertown.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_taichi03.jpg.optimal.jpgAnne Visoky, of Plains Township, said tai chi class has helped improve her posture. ‘I’m walking straighter, they tell me,’ she said. Also shown participating in the class are Visoky’s daughter, Ruth, and Linda Mellner of Shavertown. Pete Wilcox | Times Leader
Class at the JCC also has a beauty all its own, instructor says

By Mary Therese Biebel

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Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT