Meadowbrook, a new luxury care home in the Connaught Care Collection, has launched a ‘Tai Chi and Mindfulness’ programme to help boost the physical and mental wellbeing of residents. During weekly classes, participants will learn workouts aimed at improving their balance, flexibility, and resilience.
In the first session on Monday, residents were taught basic exercises including neck rolls, shoulder shrugs, ankle rotations, leg stretches, and other low-impact activities. These gentle, flowing movements are designed to both stimulate and loosen the body, relieving tension whilst building functional strength.
In addition, participants were taught deep-breathing exercises involving long, slow intakes of breath. This kind of practice can enhance relaxation and improve focus, whilst creating a greater awareness of the present moment.
Claudia Toscano, Meadowbrook’s Events Manager, shares her thoughts:
“This week, we were thrilled to see our first batch of residents throw themselves so enthusiastically into Tai Chi and mindfulness! Despite being a new concept for many of them, everyone took to the exercises straight away. It goes to show that with enough care and support, there’s no limit to what our residents can achieve when they set their mind to something!”
Based on the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi, often described as “meditation in motion”, these practices can be particularly beneficial for older adults. They can alleviate some of the pain associated with conditions like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. They can even reduce risk of falls; still the single largest cause of accidental death among over-65s in the UK.
Studies also show that mindfulness practices help individuals focus on the present, creating a sense of peace and emotional balance. This serves to reduce rates of anxiety, depression, and stress, particularly when practiced in a community setting.
Meadowbrook hopes these sessions will develop and expand as more residents join the home. Chloe Graur, General Manager at Meadowbrook, comments:
“At Meadowbrook, we believe that nurturing the body, mind, and spirit is crucial for longevity and health. This holistic approach to care is a key part of our offering. Over time, we hope to build a vibrant and supportive community at Meadowbrook which prioritises the physical and mental wellbeing of every member”.
The first Tai Chi and Mindfulness session took place on Monday 20th August, 2024. They will now continue every week on-site at Meadowbrook, and will be open to any resident, staff, or family member who wants to take part.
The team sees this as the first step in a wider holistic approach to care. It will be followed with a series of community-focussed events in and around Bishops Stortford over the coming months.
