Staying balanced

Sid Varagona inhales deeply, then slowly shifts his weight from his right foot to his left, letting his body move in one fluid motion. At 84 years old, Varagona admits his balance isn’t what it used to be. Simple tasks such as reaching for an item in the grocery store, or picking up the paper, aren’t as easy as they once were. 

His solution? 

An ancient form of Chinese martial arts — tai chi. 

Varagona and his wife, Mary, along with a handful of others, meet every Thursday at the Homewood Senior Center for tai chi. They normally start the class seated, allowing their limbs to stretch and ease into the movements. Then, they take to the floor for a full-body workout. 

“I love it,” Sid Varagona said with a smile. “It helps a lot with balance, so we try to come as much as possible.” 

The class started a little more than five years ago, and it has had steady attendance since. 

Galina Waites, who has led the class from the beginning, said all the movements are meant to be slow and fluid. As she teaches the group, she uses phrases like “play the guitar” or “hold the ball” to illustrate what participants need to execute in their form. Soft instrumental music plays in the background, creating a serene environment. 

“You have to use it or lose it,” Waites said of maintaining balance later in life. She should know — she started practicing tai chi when she saw a need for it in her own health. 

“Before I started doing tai chi, I thought there was no way I could move that slow,” said Waites, who is originally from Russia. “Then, I was under a lot of stress for my job, and I just started to crave it.” 

After becoming certified, Waites started teaching seniors tai chi. The benefits of the exercise, she said, are endless. 

“I do it because I love it,” she said. 

Waites said her tai chi studies are derived from Dr. Paul Lam, a Chinese physician who specializes in using tai chi to help those who suffer from arthritis and other symptoms of old age.  

Through teaching the muscles how to stay steady and move slowly, Waites said participants are able to gain more mobility and ultimately enhance their balance. 

Like Sid Varagona, 84-year-old Mary Varagona said she has seen many benefits of taking the weekly class. She can now sit up a little straighter, and her balance isn’t as bad as it used to be. 

“It gets you moving around,” she said. “And the community aspect of it is great, too.” 

Before Waites takes the stage and begins her instructions, participants like to mingle with one another and catch up. Waites said the community aspect of the program is just as important as the physical benefits. 

“Somebody once asked me what the goal of this class was, and I said the goal of this program is not to learn the perfect form,” Waites said. “The goal is to become healthier — socially, mentally and physically.” 

For more information on tai chi classes and a list of other classes and events at the Homewood Senior Center, go to homewoodparks.com.