Led by a need to remain coordinated, balanced and centered, Judith Baumgartner practices tai chi, an ancient Oriental art, and then teaches others the same.
"I've been doing it for five years and became certified last April," she said. "It's good exercise and keeps you physically fit."
Baumgartner will be doing a demonstration at the Callaway County Library (710 Court St. in Fulton) at 1:30 p.m. today, and also has classes every Monday and Friday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the senior center in Fulton. She often is joined by Bob Gumm, who at 79 years old, comes to class two times a week and sometimes leads them as well.
"I do it on my own, too," he said. "You can learn most of it in about a year."
Tai chi incorporates sweeping movements that help with conditions such as arthritis, balance, pain and stiffness. Emery Smola, 71, said the art has helped him since he started about three years ago.
"I've had a lot of back surgery," he said. "I've got pins and screws."
He said he comes to the classes every week and also walks on the treadmill at home.
"When I had my back surgery, I lost all balance," Smola said. "You lose the ability to flex that spine. I've got my balance back - not like a young person, but, to me, for an older person, it keeps my joints moving in a very slow and easy way. And too, it helps with breathing. Old people tend to breathe shallowly."
Baumgartner said she got into tai chi after an accident.
"My neck hurt from a car accident," she said. "It was in bad shape, and my shoulder as well."
She found an increased range of motion and renewed sense of balance, she added.
"I got into it through the senior center in Jefferson City - I just really got into it and I pursued it," she said. "Some books say it improves your memory. It helped me a lot."
She also teaches tai chi at the YMCA in Jefferson City from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. At the Callaway Senior Center, 531 Commons Drive in Fulton, she doesn't charge for classes but asks participants to make a small donation to the center.
"Donations are appreciated," she said.
Baumgartner, 69, is a member of the Silver Haired Legislature, and said she is interested in politics and the legislative process. On May 4, she was honored by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder with 33 other winners of the 2016 Senior Service Award. She was nominated by Rep. Travis Fitzwater, R-Holts Summit.