A little piece of the Far East is coming to the Holts Summit Lions Club, as tai-chi classes are now offered at 6 p.m. Tuesdays for secondary students and 7:15 p.m. for beginners.
Hu Cheng, who teaches the class, said tai-chi is perfect for nearly everyone and provides a variety of benefits.
"For some people, they just need an easy way to get moving," Cheng said. "For others, they need to work on balance or just keep their mind busy. Still others have a stressful schedules and need a calming retreat in their lives."
He said tai-chi is about putting the mind and body together in motion.
"Tai-chi can include forms, peaceful weapons, meditation, stretching and aerobic-type activities," Cheng said. "The thing I can most liken it to for westerners is a standing type of yoga with no mat or other equipment needed."
Cheng has been practicing tai-chi since age 9, and it is pervasive thought China.
"In China, it is so popular you see people of all ages doing it in every park," he said. "Students even learn it in physical education classes in school."
Cheng said he has a long history with a variety of martial arts. He was only 13 when he went to the Shaolin Temple to study kung fu. Three years later, he became more interested in tai-chi.
"I had seen tai-chi my whole life, though I didn't really start to study and master it until 2003," he said.
Cheng said he realized something was missing from his life in 2009.
"I had a great teacher that inspired me to teach others," Cheng said. "As it turns out, I ended up traveling to America to work in a show in Branson, and I made many American friends."
One of those friends became Cheng's wife.
"She became my first American student, and has helped me perfect my teaching methods, and my English," Cheng said.
Cheng decided to bring tai-chi to Holts Summit because of its friendly people and interest in the martial arts.
"After meeting so many nice people, and hearing their genuine interest in martial arts, I figured that tai-chi made sense as a first class offering," Cheng said. "I really appreciate the Lions Club for allowing us to use their facility every week; together we are impacting the lives of many in the Holts Summit area."
Classes are free, though returning students are asked to donate.
For more information about the class, contact Cheng at [email protected] or by going to the Holts Summit tai-chi page on Facebook.