Sandy Springs Place Offers Compassionate Care That Seniors Deserve.

breathing and meditation have helped her health. “It has worked wonders,” she beamed, noting that her high blood pressure has improved as a result.

Sharon Almon, 64, sought out Vroman’s class to help with her arthritis, “and now I look forward to it every week.”

Alice Henry, 63, was especially drawn to Orfas’s class because it offered focus on the body and balance, but also integrated brief meditation into the practice.

Henry confessed that she “had many misconceptions about yoga and tai chi.” Before beginning Orfas’ class “I walked through the world unconscious…I have two grandchildren and I want to stay active. Tai chi makes my body better for myself and for them.”

In fact, she said that friends ask her what’s different about her. “They see a difference in my energy. With the practice of tai chi, you look different, you act different,” Henry said.

Orfas’s student, Dorothy Moelter, 80, who practices chair tai chi, was enthusiastic about what the practice has done for her. She’d developed bone spurs on her spine as a result of a form of arthritis that can lead to severe, chronic pain and immobility. tai chi has given her a new lease on life. Moelter said that she couldn’t turn her head before her practice began. “But,” she said, beaming, “look at me now!” She turned her head from side to side.

As both Vroman and Orfas ended their classes, they encouraged students to check in with their bodies. How did they feel compared to an hour earlier? Orfas wrapped up with a brief meditation of gratitude; Vroman ended with the class focusing on and speaking three words: “strength, friendship, and humility.”

Dempsey made another confession to Vroman and the other students. “I was doing Zoomba, see, but it got to be too much at 89!” The class laughed, then began to cheer and celebrate. After all, Dempsey had begun class in the chair and by the end, she was standing and practicing with the rest of the group.

After Orfas’s class Billstrand echoed a similar sentiment about

Where to Find Your Flow

Many places throughout the north metro Atlanta area offer tai chi classes. Check local senior centers, gyms and fitness centers near you. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Cobb County Senior Services, cobbcounty.org

● East Cobb Senior Center, Marietta, 770-509-4900

● Freeman Poole Senior Center Smyrna, 770-801-3400

● North Cobb Senior Center Acworth, 770-975-7740

● Senior Wellness Center Marietta, 770-528-5355

● West Cobb Senior Center Powder Springs, 770-528-8200

Senior Services North Fulton, ssnorthfulton.org

● Alpharetta Senior Center Alpharetta, 770-751-9397

● Dorothy C. Benson Multipurpose Center Sandy Springs, 404-612-2345

● Roswell Senior Center Roswell, 770-640-1583

● Thomas Byrd Sr. House Milton, 770-475-7500

Rising Phoenix Tai Chi, facebook.com/RisingPhoenixTaiChi

Classes on Tai Chi and Qi Gong are offered around Atlanta. For more info, email info@ shouldersdown.com.

Tai Chi Association, tai-chi-association.com

Beginner to advanced classes are available at their two locations in Atlanta and Decatur. Call 404488-8383 for further information.

YMCA, ymcaatlanta.org

Fifteen YMCA locations are scattered throughout north metro Atlanta, offering a variety of activities and workout classes. Visit atlantaseniorlife.com and click on “Resources” to find one near you.