Tai Chi in The Park

Traditional Chinese therapy is soon to be practised in the grounds of Forth Valley Royal Hospital, in line with similar exercise which takes place early in the morning in public parks across China.

The decision to provide a free taster session for a Tai Chi class follows a survey of staff and the local community, to find out how people would like to use the green space which surrounds the hospital.

Tai Chi came out tops for supporting health and wellbeing. Other suggestions included a running club, healing gardens for staff and patients, and bird feeding stations.

Rhona Denham, Health Promotion Officer, NHS Forth Valley, said: “Tai Chi is accessible to all ages and physical abilities and can be practised at many levels from a simple meditative exercise to a realistic martial art. We will be starting out gently but comfortable clothes and flat shoes are essential!”

She added:” Research has shown that even spending a short amount of time in a green space, such as a local park or woodland, can help decrease stress, reduce illness and improve mental health.”

Traditional Chinese ‘medicine’ is believed to be over 2,000 years old and has as its roots, the principles of Ying and Yang. It’s believed there are meridians or pathways which travel through the body carrying Qi energy. Most modern forms of Tai Chi trace their development to at least one of the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Sun and Wu.

The Tai Chi taster session, which is free for staff, visitors and the local community, has been arranged for Wednesday August 1st in the open ground area in front of Old Larbert House. It will run between 12.45pm and 1.45pm and places must be booked in advance.   To reserve a place, please contact Kate Tedcastle on 01324 673524 or email: kate.tedcastle@nhs.net

Comfortable clothes and flat shoes are essential. Further sessions are planned over the following 4 weeks until the end of August 2012.