Club brings Tai Chi fans in North West district together

SINGAPORE — The latest addition to the North West district’s healthy living clubs has been launched, with the inauguration of the North West Tai Chi Club, bringing together some 400 Tai Chi enthusiasts across 13 clubs in the district.

Yesterday’s launch, attended by 350 instructors and members, came three months after plans to roll out the club were announced in October, said North West District Mayor Teo Ho Pin.

The other Healthy Living @ North West programmes are The Brisk Walking Club, Dance-Fit Club, Health Qigong Club, SwimSafer for Seniors Club, and Aerobics Club.

Dr Teo, who is also Bukit Panjang’s Member of Parliament, told reporters that the goal of this sixth club is to promote the benefits of Tai Chi to all residents, and for it to be a place for them to come together to practise it.

One target group is male participants, who do not participate as frequently in community activities as women do, he said. To that end, the club will explore “various innovative approaches” to raise the standard of Tai Chi, he added.

“For example, we can organise competitions, demonstration sessions ... (or) bring in experts to sharpen the skills of Tai Chi,” he said.

North West Tai Chi clubs will get an annual grant of up to S$1,600 each, to fund the honorarium fees of their instructors. To qualify for the grant, the clubs must meet and practice at least once a week.

The clubs are open to all citizens and permanent residents living in the North West district who have completed any form of Tai Chi course.

Retiree Liza Sumadi, 58, a Sembawang resident who has been practising Tai Chi for the past five years, said the pain in her knees has subsided as a result of taking up Tai Chi, and she has also widened her social circle through her weekly practices.

“It’s very easy to pick up because of the slow movements ... and it’s very relaxing,” she said. ALFRED CHUA

CLARIFICATION: The North West CDC has clarified that its Tai Chi clubs will get an annual grant of up to $1,600 each to fund the honorarium fees of their instructors, instead of $2,000 as was previously reported.