Seniors enjoy luncheon and lesson about tai chi
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - What could be better than learning how to stay healthy while enjoying a delicious luncheon?

That is exactly what transpired at the Jackson Senior Center on March 5 when seniors were treated to a demonstration lesson of Tai Chi: Your Health Defense and a healthy meal.

"Lunch and Learn programs are providing the seniors of Jackson with answers to health related, legal, medical, and other types of questions," said Sheri Silversmith, senior center program administrator. "Providers have been coming to the center with a topic of interest and lunch for the seniors."

Silversmith said Bartley Healthcare vice president of business development Trish Mazejy coordinated the March 5 program with the senior center during which more than 65 seniors were in attendance. That was the most well attended Lunch and Learn program to date.

Sifu (teacher) Jon Walker offered demonstrations of the three different styles of Tai Chi, the 5,000-year-old art of healing.

"It is an internal art to defend yourself from the inside out," Walker said.

Following the presentation, Walker taught the seniors a slower version of Tai Chi called Sun.

"Tai Chi will teach your body to work as one unit," Walker said.

Mazejy said, "Bartley Healthcare is committed to providing free wellness education programs to the seniors in our community. Tai Chi is a form of martial art that is especially good for seniors. Comprised of slow, deliberate movements that are easy to learn, Tai Chi provides health benefits, including increased range of motion, strengthened lower extremities, improved balance and improved gait."

The seniors who attended the program were served a luncheon that was prepared by Brian Cook, the executive chef at Bartley Healthcare.

"I am glad the Jackson Senior Center is partnering with local providers to offer the seniors a free informative seminar about topics of their interest," Silversmith said. "The seniors had a luncheon that was out of this world. They were very excited about lessons in Tai Chi and would like similar classes offered at the senior center."

Silversmith said she will be looking into getting Tai Chi for the senior center on a regular basis.

"I learned something that I never knew existed," said Willie Araneo, one of the guests. "With programs like this being provided at the center, I look forward to coming to the center daily."

Araneo said he was too old for aerobics, but found that Tai Chi was something in which he would be able to participate.

"Saying we can't do this is exactly why we should do it," Araneo said. "And the food that was provided by Bartley was absolutely delicious."