New “better balance” class starts in September at Gottsche

“Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 years of age and older” according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.  September is National Falls Prevention Month, and it is also when Gottsche starts a Tai Ji Quan class. The class is specifically moving for better balance. 

Instructor Hazel Vanlandingham is passionate about helping seniors prevent falling. She added that one out of four people over 65 fall every year, every 43 seconds. About 73% end up in emergency rooms.

“With it being preventable, I’ve been teaching prevention classes for eight years. What Tai Ji Quan does is improve your balance skills, your body alignment, it is a coordinated movement of circular flowing movement. It is evidence-based,” Vanlandingham said. 

The other Tai Chi class she has been teaching is also proven to improve balance and help with arthritis.  The difference is that the Quan method only has eight movements.  It is easier to learn, there is no bending over, it is done mainly in a straight line or diagonal line and there is just one step that is backwards. 

Vanlandingham added that this class will increase range of motion, awareness and cognitive thinking. 

“You have to understand that it is moving meditation. I have testimonials from those that took the other Tai Chi class that they feel steadier, they can walk on uneven ground better, feel more confident, have more strength and they aware of more. They pay attention to where they are stepping.

“It mind boggles me that so many people fall. The doctors give you a fall safety sheet that talks about throw rugs and such. I’ve fallen three times just because I wasn’t paying attention. This class helps you do that,” she said. 

 Vanlandingham gets testimonials from clients that have told her they have started to fall but because they learned to be mindful of what to do, like shifting weight, they didn’t fall. 

The Quan class starts at Gottsche, September 9. They will be 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Space is limited to 10. Membership to Gottsche is $25 a month, classes come with the membership. An additional family member may join for $15. Vanlandingham explained that some senior citizens have a child or grandchild take the class with them.