Photo by Joe Imel/Daily NewsBetty T. Smith of Bowling Green is one of more than a dozen people who take tai chi classes through Greenview Regional Hospital’s H2U program for seniors. The class, which meets at 8:45 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the program’s building across the street from the hospital, costs H2U members $20 a month.

Donna Thomas found tai chi so appealing that even when she couldn’t do it, she couldn’t stay away from it.

“I had a total hip replacement last summer. I missed (taking tai chi) because it has a lot of mental stimulation,” said the Bowling Green woman, who has taken classes for more than two years. “I couldn’t take the class for four months, but I would sometimes go to watch.”

Thomas is one of more than a dozen people who take tai chi through Greenview Regional Hospital’s H2U program for seniors. The class, which meets at 8:45 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the program’s building across the street from the hospital, costs H2U members $20 a month.

“We can fit about 12 people. They come every week,” said Sam Smith, who has been teaching the H2U class for three years. “They work hard. They do tai chi well.”

According to Smith’s Web site for his institute, Sifu Sam’s Martial Arts, at www.sifusam.

com, tai chi is an ancient type of exercise that uses gentle movements, controlled breathing and mental concentration. It was developed in China.

“Tai chi is good for anybody. It has mental and physical benefits,” said Smith, who is known as Sifu Sam in class because he is the teacher. “It alleviates arthritis. It’s great for posture. It helps alleviate pressure on the joints. It helps with stretching and flexibility. It’s slow and calming. It helps center their minds – like a little vacation.”

Thomas has seen tai chi help her own physical ailments.

“I have generalized osteoarthritis. I knew if I didn’t start moving, I’d never start moving,” she said. “I move better, balance better. I have less pain. It’s such a great exercise.”

It also helps prevent falls, a common problem with senior citizens, Smith said.

“Research shows that people are two-thirds less likely to fall if they’re doing tai chi,” he said.

Jessie Starkey of Bowling Green said she has seen mental and physical benefits after taking the class for more than a year. She had heard from some class members how good it was for keeping balance, agility and peace of mind.

“I had some personal difficulties last year. Tai chi helped me deal with that,” she said. “My balance is 200 percent better now than when I started.”

Starkey said she appreciates that Smith is so patient with the class.

“Most of us are at least over 55. Sometimes he has to work and work with us on a movement,” she said. “He never criticizes. He’s so positive.”

Betty Smith of Bowling Green began taking tai chi at Sifu Sam’s Martial Arts before moving to H2U this past year. A tai chi student for five years, she began taking classes to help her cancer recovery.

“I had cancer and I could not get back my strength. Tai chi is slow moving, so I thought I could do this,” she said. “After three months, I could see an unbelievable difference. My back is better. My sciatica is better. I’m almost 63. I feel very, very fortunate. I would not give it up for anything.”

— For more information about H2U’s tai chi classes, call H2U at 783-9592. For more information about tai chi classes at Sifu Sam’s Martial Arts, call 745-9990.