Tai Chi instructor keeps seniors in balanced steps

Boulder City class meets twice a week in South Escalante Park

photos by dale dombrowski/viewBill Vandermeer leads the senior tai chi class at South Escalante Park in Boulder City. The class meets at 8 a.m. Wednesday and Friday. Irene Whelan progresses through the sequences during a weekly senior tai chi class held in Boulder City.

"Dive for the needle beneath the ocean; grasp the bird's tail, break his elbow, push him away; pull the bow, shoot the arrow; pick up the tiger, turn the tiger to the mountain," the man with the spiked gray hair directed followers as they matched his every move. "That's the Yang 48."

No, the group of a dozen or so people at Southt Escalante Park in Boulder City were not a mysterious secret cult getting ready to audition for a Jackie Chan movie.

They're members of the seniors tai chi class offered by the senior center that meets at 8 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at the grassy field.

Leading the group through movements is Bill Vandermeer, who has been doing this for the past six years.

"I read an article about eight or nine years ago that said for seniors who practice tai chi, they have 43 percent less of a chance of breaking their hips," said Vandermeer, a 66-year-old retired paper mill supervisor formerly of Camas, Wash.

"I took some classes down at Chinatown and when I moved to Boulder City, I decided I wanted to take some more classes," he said. "When I walked into the senior center here, they said they had classes, but they also asked me if I knew tai chi. When I said I did, they said good, we need somebody to teach the class."

The ancient martial art of tai chi is some 2,000 years old, first starting out as a practice for self-defense and later being used for personal and health purposes.

A person doing tai chi moves in slow, graceful movements, while also being conscious of their breathing and meditation.

According to a handout prepared by Vandermeer, modern research suggests some of the many benefits of tai chi are the reduction of stress, an increase in flexibility, the lessening of anxiety and depression, an improvement in balance and coordination, and better sleep quality.

The one-hour class draws as many as two-dozen participants when the weather is nice.

Those who turn out for Vandermeer's class say his exercises have done them a world of good.

"I used to have gout so bad, and I got rid of my belly," said 82-year-old Marian Drost, who has lived in Boulder City half of her life.

"This is so good for your health. I started back in August of 2005, and my husband died that November. But before he passed away, he said, 'Don't give up anything just for me,' and I've been at it ever since," she said.

Another person who has been doing tai chi for a while is St. Christopher's Episcopal Church deacon Shirley Putz.

"I think I'm definitely more flexible," said Putz, who has been known for years as Mrs. Santa Claus. "You have to do it all the time besides class time. Wayne (her husband) and I do it every day at home."

Another tai chi believer is 70-year-old Stan Hawkes, who has had a variety of problems cleared up thanks to his doctor's referral.

"All my tests checked out, but I still wasn't feeling good," said Hawkes, who has developed weak legs and muscles. "My doctor said, 'why don't you try tai chi. It's low impact, and it might improve your balance and movement of muscles.' "

Vandermeer doesn't trek out twice a week, hot or cold, for the money -- he does get a small payment from the senior center for each participant -- but because of another reward.

"My top priority is giving back to the seniors," he said just before going into stretching exercises that led to a series of movements like Paint the Rainbow and its See the Canvas, See the Paints mantra.

"That's really the bottom line, giving back to the seniors," Vandermeer said.

Being retired, Vandermeer does spend time outside the park doing other things.

"I like to play golf, so you can find me sometimes down at Boulder Creek," he said. "I also make custom golf clubs. I'm a senior, too, and I've got to do something to make a little money."