At a time when so much negativity seems to surround us, seniors Atria Almaden Senior Living they are finding a sense of calm.
The CDC says that about seven million Americans over the age of 65 experience depression each year, in part due to a lack of physical activity.
Meditation classes are just one of many resident-led activities for seniors to build community and strengthen their mental health.
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“It’s important to get involved with other people to socialize,” said community member Lisa Poyser. “Overall, workouts make you feel better, they make you feel stronger, and they make you feel more confident.”
Activities Director Candi Warren says it’s important to let community members run the class to give them back that sense of control they sometimes feel they’ve lost.
One of the most popular instructors is Master Pui Tsang, 92 years old.
“It’s not just relaxing,” he said. “This exercise, you work on it. It’s called Qigong. This meditation and exercise started in China, 2,000 years ago.”
“Everybody knows Pui,” Warren said. “If anyone has a question about meditation, about Tai Chi, Pui is the man.”
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A man of privacy and few words, Master Pui said he would rather his class talk than do an interview.
The Tai Chi master earned six degrees and learned the art of meditation from China.
The community says his classes are uplifting the mental spirits of residents and employees alike.
“Pui is extremely important, let me tell you,” Warren said. “A lot of the staff here also learned a lot from him and it’s all about our mental well-being and our physical health because those two go hand in hand. Without one, it’s hard to have the other.”
Master Pui hopes to teach mental toughness so that his community can still live an active and exciting life.
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