Keep Calm and Carry On
Patty Woods has been around Openhouse since “before it became what it is today”. She’s been to more Openhouse programs than she can count and, before the pandemic, led the Saturday Games Group for 7 years! Having grown up in New York and worked several demanding jobs – from being a waitress, to owning her own food truck, to being a building manager – Patty is no stranger to stressful settings. While all in-person activities have been put on hold, Patty continues to offer the Openhouse community a way stay connected and calm: her Friday tai chi class.
How did you first hear about tai chi?
Well, I would see it around town, in the parks. I saw how people moved with such ease and I thought it looked so good. Of course, I couldnʻt move like that. At the time, I wasn’t doing anything to improve my body, so I thought "let me try that", and when I felt the difference, it was amazing!
How has tai chi impacted your life?
As we get older, we lose balance. Itʻs just part of aging. Doing tai chi makes you feel like you have more control of your body. It teaches you to be aware of your body position, your walking and balance. This helps you to avoid getting hurt. For example, if you go to stretch, you know not to go too far. When you reach up, you move with the entire body.
What do you enjoy about tai chi?
Also, its not just a movement, its a meditation in motion. Its so calming. When youʻre doing it, youʻre feeling the entire process. You’re not thinking about how you have to pay rent or that electrical bill that is due. Youʻre concentrated on your body. It has the power to calm you when you’re stressed or re-energize you when you’re feeling lazy.
I was a building manager right before I retired. That was very nerve wracking, 24/7 kind of job. Some things I would get so uptight! I would stop, do part of a tai chi form, and Iʻd be back to being calm. Thatʻs the beauty of it - the quietness. There is no disturbance. During class, weʻre all quietly doing the same thing at the same time and feeling good.