As we age, one of the most serious health problems facing us is the danger of falling.
Each year, one out of three seniors over the age of 65 will suffer a serious fall. An exercise that has been around for thousands of years may help seniors with their balance.
You may see them at district parks around the islands - people taking part in tai chi exercise - a discipline that has roots back to 2700 BC in China. Dennis Roberts discovered the benefits of tai chi when he was 48 years old.
"Basically, my balance was horrible and flexibility was not that good so I started doing it and I struggled at first but one of the biggest things you find out is that your memory starts to improve," Roberts says.
Memory? This is a revelation. Roberts says as much as it helped his flexibility and balance, it also helped his memory - keeping track of the different forms he had to master.
"Most people who are elderly and have Alzheimer's usually can't deal with the present. They can remember the past, they just can't remember the present," he says.
Back to balance and flexibility - there's a reason why these physical attributes are more important for seniors.
"A young boy runs down street, hits a curb, he falls down, he bends his arms to catch himself, he skins his nose but doesn't break any bones. An older woman - she hits the same curb, she falls down, she puts her arms out straight and breaks the arms," Roberts says.
David and Francis showed us a few of the forms on the morning news.
There are literally hundreds of "forms" involved in tai chi. There is a breathing technique as well. Tai chi practitioners report an improvement in overall well-being, faster recovery from surgery and more health benefits. But it may take time to learn tai chi.
"I took a class, the first one, it was the first 16 moves of the long form. I did it ten weeks, two days a week and I still couldn't get it. I was a little slow," Roberts says.
There will be a demonstration this Saturday at the Chinese Cultural Plaza from 3 until 6 in the afternoon.
Classes in tai chi are also held at the Ala Wai Neighborhood Park on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
