Paignton Tai Chi group to raise awareness of Parkinson’s with new mindfulness classes

A Paignton exercise class is preparing to mark Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April by hosting a new Tai Chi class for the local community.

People living with Parkinson’s in Paignton, South Devon and the surrounding areas are invited to take part in the new tai chi class which is available for all ages and abilities.

The sessions are being delivered by a qualified tai chi instructor from Devon Tai Chi Centre with funding support from Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust and Parkinson’s UK.

Two classes are available for the local Parkinson’s community, including a standing tai chi and seated tai chi class.

Each class is designed to help more people enjoy an active lifestyle with Parkinson’s and improve their wellbeing and the group is hoping to raise awareness of the positive benefits that performing tai chi can have for the motor and non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions.   

The tai chi sessions are held every Tuesday at Paignton Library and Information Centre, Great Western Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 5AG. The standing tai chi is from 2pm to 2.45pm and the seated tai chi class is from 3.15pm to 4pm. Each class costs £6 per person. Carers and relatives are welcome to attend or stay for a coffee and a chat between classes.

Parkinson’s UK is supporting the project through physical activity grant funding and it is hoped that more people living locally will be able to take advantage of the classes.

Tai chi is one of the most accessible ways to be active when you live with a long term health condition such as Parkinson’s. Tai chi not only promotes mindfulness but the practice can also help to improve balance, strength and coordination, as well as being a very social and inclusive activity.

Tim Morton, Physical Activity Programme Lead at Parkinson’s UK, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Louise and the team at Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust to deliver the tai chi sessions for people living with Parkinson’s in Devon.

“Tai chi is proven to offer many benefits for a person living with a neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s. Tai chi is not just beneficial for mindfulness and mental wellbeing, but when practised together it can help reduce social isolation and target problem areas such as balance and coordination. We hope that more people living locally with Parkinson’s will be able to join a class in the future.”     

Louise Trout, Acute Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist at Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust, said:

“It’s been great to see what an impact the tai chi sessions have had for the local Parkinson’s community, and for their relatives and carers. We’re delighted to be working with Parkinson’s UK to help deliver the tai chi classes and we hope that more people living with Parkinson’s in Devon will be able to come along and join in. The group is really friendly and tai chi is a really social way to improve your wellbeing and mindfulness.”

For more information about joining a Parkinson’s tai chi class from Tai Chi Devon, contact Nic, class instructor at Tai Chi Devon on 01803 655 513.