Tai Chi at Seguin Public Library

{ OnTheScene }

Meditation in Motion

Mind, Body, and Spiritual Connection for Seniors through Tai Chi

Story by Bianca Rawlings | Photos by Victoria Gaytan and Felicia Frazar

Dr. Barry Jackson has found a way to help stave off stress with tai chi and shares it with his patients and the community. Jackson has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, from being the lone practitioner in a clinic to managing more than 50 staff members simultaneously in multiple locations.

He is certified in LSVT BIG (a Parkinson specialty treatment program) and is currently a physical therapist at the GRMC Inpatient Rehab Unit in Seguin. He focuses on healing his patients through physical movement, exercise, and by really connecting with them as individuals.

Jackson was exposed to tai chi more than 10 years ago at the Texas Physical Therapy Association’s annual conference. He was 1 of 12 out of the 2,000 conference attendees to meet for the early-morning, poolside class. He immediately connected with the practice of tai chi, and soon after contacted several of his peers to find a master instructor, also known as a sifu, that could train him. The martial art has bettered Jackson’s own life, as well as the life and recovery of his rehabilitation patients.

He currently teaches tai chi at the Guadalupe Regional Wellness Center. He has a consistent, committed group that varies between 10 to 14 participants, he said. The practice offers an essential and low-impact activity for senior citizens and rehab patients of all ages. Tai chi shows seniors that they can do more than they think and helps improve mobility and balance, Jackson said.

“Tai chi is all about the exchange of energy throughout the body and with the ground,” Jackson said.

Mastering the techniques of tai chi is extremely important to Jackson. He studied for years to ensure he was adept enough to instruct others and continues to hone his skills by meeting with his instructor regularly — virtually and in-person, he said.

He proposed his idea of bringing tai chi to all Seguin residents for free to his supervisor three years ago and was elated when he was given the green light. He eventually earned a grant to provide free classes at the Seguin Public Library. The classes are followed with refreshments and post-session chats, which are important parts of the social interaction the tradition of tai chi provides, Jackson said.

The spiritual and social connection the classes provide to senior citizens in Seguin is exceptional.

“I’ve seen friendships formed at the wellness center and free tai chi classes,” he said.

Some attendees even come to both of the free classes every month, Jackson said.

Jackson began teaching the introduction to tai chi at the Seguin Public Library about two years ago. When it started, the class had about 50 participants, but the numbers decreased to the mid-20s due to COVID, he said. Attendance has picked up and the large space at the library allows for social distancing during class. Masks are optional.

“I have since added a Tuesday evening library class where I continue to add participants and build on the tai chi routine on the weekly basis,” Jackson said. He hopes to continue to add more participants of all ages to his classes and grow the art of tai chi in Seguin. He would also like to have more outdoor classes, similar to the one he held for World Tai Chi, or Qigong Day.

“It takes time to learn tai chi. It is a simple concept of standing and moving in certain positions, but it’s not easy,” he said.

It can take six months to learn the basic building blocks and another six to eight months to learn the complete form, Jackson said. Tai chi utilizes all the body parts and is ultimately about connecting with the energy of the world around you, he said.

Whether it is your first class or your fifth, Jackson makes sure his attendees get individualized attention and instruction, he even prescribes homework to those who want to practice at home.

“If you are willing to show up [to a class] and give me your time, I will definitely make sure I invest my time to help you,” he said.