A group of Macquarie staff members are using their lunch hour to rejuvenate and re-energise through the ancient Chinese tradition of Tai Chi.

The free classes began in 2012 as part of the Warriors@Work program and are now offered three times a week in the Courtyard Studio at the Sport and Aquatic Centre. All staff members are invited to attend and do not need to be current members of the Sport and Aquatic Cenre.

“Quite a number of staff have benefited from our Tai Chi classes over the past three years, and we would like to share the joy with even more of the Macquarie community,” says Theresa Han, Finance Manager, Property Office.

In addition to classes, attendees come together for performances – 15 performed with fans in the Central Courtyard for Uni Club Day recently. Others in the class travelled to Melbourne for championships organised by Wushu Tai Chi and Qigong Australia where they won medals.

Class attendees love to share the numerous benefits they receive from the classes.

“It is very relaxing and rejuvenating for the whole body and mind. It also strengthens the muscles and helps me to keep fit. The most important thing though is that I have made lots of good friends,” says Suchitra Patki, OPS-Financial Accounting.

Gianluca Alimeni from the Department of International Studies adds, “It is a stress release and generally lowers the heart rate and improves breathing. Overall it provides great mental elasticity.”

Class Schedule

• Tai Chi and Qigong:  Mondays 12pm – 1pm
• Tai Chi Fan: Tuesdays 1pm – 2pm
• Tai Chi, Qigong and Tai Chi Fan: Thursdays 1pm – 2pm

Interested in joining a class or have questions? Visit the Warriors@Work website or contact Lanna Leung (lanna.leung@mq.edu.au).