The day’s speaker, Kathleen McCarty, was introduced, and she told the Rotarians a little about herself. At the local senior center she leads and teaches regular weekly sessions in tai chi for groups of about 20 participants. Besides being a teacher of tai chi, she is also a skier and spoke frequently of the benefits she found in tai chi following her active and sometimes rigorous time on the slopes.
The focus of her talk was tai chi. She spoke if the changes that practicing tai chi can bring to the body and how it’s good for health, noting that she started practicing tai chi around 2012 with the goal of being a better skier – which it helped.
She discussed the meaning of the name “tai chi chuan,” or “big extreme,” and likened tai chi to a story of choreographed movements with a foundation in martial art, vital energy and moving that energy around in the body – like a choreographed moving meditation. As she spoke, she rose and illustrated what she was speaking about, by posing and moving her own body accordingly.
Ralph asked, when should one begin practicing of tai chi? She responded, one can start at any time, though the practice cultivating awareness of the energies in the body can take time, so you don’t want to start from a too-advanced level.
She likened practicing tai chi to “silk ruling,” or the process of making silk with slow, gradual spiraling motions, which go a little faster when actually winding the silk. She mentioned how, similarly, energy moves in spirals, illustrating moves with gentle, up-and-down motions of her arm. She noted how it took time for her to learn to work with the energy in the body, which she followed up with the science of defensive movements like strikes and kicks. She mentioned that in her first few days of practicing tai chi, while she didn’t yet fully understand the principles, the first classes “felt good.”
To focus on that inner energy, she said, you have to be calm and not distracted, and release tension. “Tai chi is not magic,” she said. “It’s slow, not like taking a pill,” and she mentioned alignment within the body, illustrating by shaking her arms and upper body and them going limp, as if showing an exercise that helps focus on energy.
At this point she moved the class outside to the warm, sunny patio adjacent to the library.
As she described how energy flows freely in a circular system through the body, she invited all to join in with her presentation, which everyone happily did. She demonstrated how to stand, with feet apart and at a slightly 45-degree angle, and also how to easily and naturally hold the head. The crown or perinium, the topmost point of the head, should be elevated to open up the spine, which should be relaxed along with the back of the neck. The posture should not be extreme. About 30 minutes was a good amount of time for beginning practice, she suggested.
She demonstrated three exercises to open up the energy flow to the neck, shoulders and spine, as well as pointing out “mini chakras” in the palms of the hands. She demonstrated exhaling through the nose, keeping the hands free of the body; breathing in to open the chest, centering, and techniques, postures and positions. She covered where to place the feet or when and how to roll the shoulders, and demonstrated exercises and best placement of the feet, to promote balance, relaxation and the release of tension.
The San Mateo Conty Library system, she noted, offers tai chi classes that are free for residents. At the Half Moon Bay library, her tai chi classes are held on Thursday mornings and free for beginners. She also teaches at the local senior center, and hopes to expand her classes. She likes to think of everyone as beginners, and goes from there.
She gave a little history on tai chi: beginning with General Wang Ting, who was instrumental in beginning tai chi around 350 years ago, and who died in 1610. He had written down what he knew about the practice, incorporating tactics leaned from battle and moves that promote balance.
She demonstrated a little choreography: different martial positions, even some that had found their way into the study of ballet; techniques that keep energy flowing and balanced, and techniques of breaking an enemy’s hold, pushing an enemy away and striking vulnerable spots like the windpipe.
A topic that came up was, good shoes to wear when practicing tai chi? Ralph suggested flatter shoes are easier to wear, and promote comfort and more connection with the earth.
Tai chi was also mentioned as a means of helping to keep balance, aligning the skeleton, and strengthening and stabilizing one’s core.
First of all, every joined in to greet longtime club member Renee Lewis, who said hello online. President Liz Schuck also made sure that handouts were passed out to all about an event scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21. Hosted to commemorate the one-year farmworker shooting in Half Moon Bay, it will be held at the Boys and Girls Club Event Center at 530 Kelly Ave. in Half Moon Bay, and will include a ceremony followed by a walking candlelit procession to Mac Dutra Plaza for a moment of silence.
As members continued to file into the Half Moon Bay Library community room for the meeting, Kevin O’Brien and Liz discussed the upcoming trip to Mexico, in which members are invited to join, to work on the mobile Rotary medical clinic there.
Pledge of Allegiance
Ralph Ely led the flag salute.
Inspirational Thought
Asked by Liz for words of wisdom or personal New Year’s resolutions to share, Ralph offered one that was short, sweet and pertinent: “Stop wars.”
Happy Birthday
Then everyone wished a happy Dec. 31 birthday to Renee.
Member News
Ginger Minoletti is out of the sling she had to wear following an injury.
Mike Serdy is doing better as his hurt leg is healing. Rose Serdy suffered a fall and has to be in a body brace, but she is doing well; at least she did not hit her head or suffer paralysis.
Guests included Kathleen McCarty, today’s speaker on the topic of tai chi.
Exchange student Suzanne was also introduced, with added notes that she had helped Liz bake little holiday cupcakes for Rotary that were really like little works of art.
Adding to the mention of Club members who had been hurt or were ill, Susan Kealey too had suffered a fall; and Liz pointed out that since we are all getting older, the possibilities of falls were something of which we should all be aware.
Ginger mentioned six medals that Barterra Winery had recently won; she herself had recently attended a film festival and pointed out the good that Julie Shenkman is doing for the community with the film nights that she hosts here.
Paul Harris Award
Liz then called Heather Bodmann up front to be presented with two Paul Harris pins: one as an honorary member and then her own Rotary Club member’s pin.
Announcements
Certifications that club members have won in the past were mentioned: Mitone for two and Larkin Evans for a HMB high school scholarship.
Dianne spoke of the trip she will make to Houston to the NASA Johnson Space Center later this month for the memorial tree planting ceremony for Bo which will take place on JSC's Day of Remembrance which honors the Astronaut crews who died in the accidents aboard Apollo I, Challenger and Columbia. There is a garden of trees commemorating all deceased NASA Astronauts. Asked for stories of her early experiences with Bo, she recalled a moment when she “had never seen him smile so much” with joy and wonder, after his first space flight and anytime when he spoke about his experiences in space.
Bella announced “Caring Connections,” a workshop coming up Saturday, Feb. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Coastside Adult Day Health Center. Focused on memory loss and resources for seniors, it will cover signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and imminent memory loss, and age-related aphasia. It is partially funded by our Club’s recent Magic of the Coastside Lobsterfest. Club members have the first option to sign up.
A wonderful letter was also read from a local student scholarship recipient, who expressed “appreciation” for the scholarship and acknowledged the impact it will have on his future career.
Then President Liz adjourned the talk and invited everyone back inside the library, where she informed Kathleen that 15 children would be inoculated against polio in her name as a gift in her honor.
Liz reminded everyone of the Jan. 21 HMB one-year remembrance event, and adjourned the meeting.
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