Tai Chi for Seniors at the Library Tuesday

If you're a senior looking to reduce stress and improve flexibility a class coming to the Upper Tampa Bay Library may be for you.

Tai Chi instructor Bonnie Birdsall, 51, will be on hand teaching the ancient meditative art of Tai Chi from 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The technique uses the movement of animals in nature to tell a story that Bonnie loves to share with her students using visualization to describe light, heat, color and Chi energy, thereby deepening the meditative art, according to her website. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Upper Tampa Bay Library.

Westchase Patch chatted with Birdsall recently about her class and what participants can expect:

Patch: What benefits does Tai Chi have for seniors?

Birdsall: It has tons of benefits. It the most growing exercise in America. It’s the most popular because it lowers blood pressure, helps with balance, which is huge when we’re senior. It also lubricates the joints so you recover faster. I also do a lot of breathing exercises, so physiologically it exercises your organs.

Patch: What skill level do people need to have for your class?

Birdsall: They can come in very advanced levels or come in their wheel chairs. I have a class at a library now. I have about 40 people and of the 40, 10 have to be seated during the class. I have others up and going. The cool part about my expertise is I can teach many levels within the same class.

Patch: What should people wear to the class?

Birdsall: Anything that’s comfortable and they feel like they can move in. Stretch pants and T-shirts are fine.

Tai Chi for Seniors with Bonnie Birdsall at the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library 

When: Tuesday, Sept. 13, 5-6 p.m.

Where: Upper Tampa Bay Regional Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd. in Tampa. For more information call the library at 813-273-3652.

Visit Bonnie's website at bonnietbirdsall.com.