SWAMPSCOTT — Human Harmonies, a martial arts school on Paradise Road, hosted a “Start the Year Right” tai chi and qigong class Saturday morning that was free and open to the public.
Co-founder and Master Level Instructor John Calabrese explained that tai chi and qigong are gentle forms of exercise that help improve peoples’ health, balance, and mental state by stimulating energy that goes to their organs. He said this is the second year the school has hosted the event, noting it’s a good way to give back to the community.
By 10 a.m. that morning, the studio had filled up with 20 participants. Both students and newcomers came together, barefoot on the crimson carpet, where they were led by Calabrese and Instructor Kristin Roda. They began the morning with breathing exercises, which aimed to improve their immune system, heat their bodies internally, and cool their heads, according to Calabrese.
“All the movements are to try and move all the heat into your gut, where it’s supposed to be. You’re working on range of motion, coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility,” Calabrese said. “It’s restorative. If you’re not in really good shape or health, this is designed to bring your body to balance and restore your health… It doesn’t matter where you’re at. You’re going to benefit and get what you need.”
He continued that, as an instructor, he’s seen people notice that they have more energy after attending classes, which he said was awesome. Calabrese said he loves teaching and helping others to help themselves.
“I know how important it is to exercise, take care of your body, and build your health. Everyone says that health is the most valuable thing they have, but it’s also the thing that people invest the least amount of time, money, and effort, even though it’s the most important thing in the world for them to do,” Calabrese said. “Having people come in, committing to this morning, and just trying it out and moving their bodies makes a big difference.”
Eventually, the class broke out into two different groups with the students in the front, led by Calabrese, and newcomers in the back, with Roda at the helm. Roda walked the participants through samples of beginner tai chi movements to help them get more familiar with the form of exercise.
“They’re the ones doing the work. I’m just showing them how they’re the ones that are actually earning their own development by doing it… It’s not just given to them,” Calabrese said. “I think that’s very empowering, when you take control of your body and your body’s health.”
Pamela Poppe said she has been a student of the school for close to 10 years now. She explained how attending has impacted her life and health.
“I started coming here when my mother was very ill. I was stressed out, and my mother was falling a lot, so my concerns were stress and balance. Tai chi has been absolutely fabulous for correcting both of those things as best it can… I come to class about three or four times a week, and I also practice at home. It’s just really good practice for my mind and body,” Poppe said.
Diane Canty said, “I’ve been a student for a little while now, and I love it. Not only do I feel like I’ve done an exercise that’s not difficult, but I had to use my brain, too. It’s not like most aerobic exercises… You have to really think about what you’re doing because your left side is doing something different than your right side.”
Canty added that she’s noticed the exercise has had a positive impact on her balance.
“I’m over 70 years old now, and I had noticed my balance was not what it should be, and that sometimes I was feeling a little uncomfortable. But, I feel like I’ve made a lot of improvements,” she said.
