{"id":7930,"date":"2025-02-18T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7930"},"modified":"2025-02-18T15:30:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T15:30:00","slug":"new-tai-chi-classes-for-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7930","title":{"rendered":"New tai chi classes for Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2025-02-18T15:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Pacific Island VA<\/a> holds two tai chi<\/a> classes on Tuesdays at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic in Kapolei. The classes are a weekly event that started virtually and moved to face-to-face recently. The local classes are coordinated by members of the Whole Health, physical therapy and recreation therapy programs.<\/p>\n

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art that was developed for combat and self-defense. It has evolved into a sport and form of exercise. As an exercise, tai chi is performed as a gentle, low-impact movement in which practitioners perform a series of deliberate, flowing motions while focusing on deep, slow breaths.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went through the Whole Health program and started classes online,\u201d said Air Force Veteran Victor Carvalho. \u201cI was excited when the in-person classes started. It\u2019s a great way to meet people and make friends my own age who understand me and like the same kinds of things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
<\/a>
Helps mobility, strength and balance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Concentrates the body\u2019s vital energy<\/h2>\n

Often referred to as \u201cmeditation in motion,\u201d tai chi aims to concentrate and balance the body\u2019s qi\u2014or vital energy\u2014providing benefits to mental and physical health.<\/p>\n

\u201cTai chi has helped the Veterans in many ways,\u201d said tai chi Instructor and Physical Therapist Charlene Sison. \u201cTai chi is a practice that helps with arthritis and fall prevention. I\u2019ve noticed that the Veterans have had improvements in their mobility, strength and balance. Before and after the class, they get to socialize and get acquainted with each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having the classes at the Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic allows plenty of room to expand. The clinic was designed to provide ample spaces for Veterans to socialize. The tai chi classes have been very popular, and they now fill one of the alcoves in front of the clinic. The exercise is a good way to stretch and increase muscle strength and endurance, but it\u2019s also a peaceful activity that helps Veterans find calm and center themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince I have been doing tai chi, I have noticed an improvement in my balance,\u201d said Army Veteran Joe Hoopai. \u201cIt also helps the mind. I find that it helps clear out my stress and make me feel more peaceful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a volunteer here at the Daniel K. Akaka Clinic,\u201d said Navy Veteran Noel Almanzor. \u201cI heard about the classes while I was volunteering, and I had to try it. It has been a really positive experience for my mental and physical health.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pacific Island VA holds two tai chi classes in Kapolei. The classes started virtually and moved to face-to-face recently.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":327,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-news"],"yoast_head":"\nNew tai chi classes for Veterans - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Pacific Island VA holds two tai chi classes in Kapolei. 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