Jenny Kring spent 14 years confined to a wheelchair after Multiple Sclerosis robbed her of her mobility.

Today, she walks in her house unassisted and only uses a cane to steady herself when out in public. 

“I walk with a cane for the simple reason that my balance is bad when I walk on uneven ground,” she said.

On Monday morning, Kring was participating in her twice weekly tai chi session at the Taoist Tai Chi Society Brantford Branch.

She credits the gentle movements of tai chi with getting her out of her wheelchair and back on her feet.

Accredited tai chi instructor Doreen Horsnell, 88, has seen many success stories like Kring’s during the past 16 years. Included among the people in her Monday senior lesson was a person who previously had a heart attack, someone recovering from hip surgery and another with serious foot problems who is preparing for surgery.

Horsnell also battled back after severe arthritis throughout her body did its best to slow her down.

“I wouldn’t be moving the way I’m moving today if it wasn’t for tai chi,” she said. “The movements are soft and gentle and it does wonders for muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones. Tai chi exercises the whole spine and it alleviates my pain.”

Tai chi is said to massage the body from the inside out.

“It massages all of your internal organs and can help with most any ailment,”  Horsnell said.

In addition to helping reduce anxiety, improve balance, flexibility, muscle strength and sleep, as well as lower blood pressure, the gentle movements of tai chi are purported to relieve chronic pain, increase energy and agility.

“Tai chi improved my balance and it has improved my memory,” Kring said. “It’s done wonderful things for me. I was so frustrated with the wheelchair. I was in a wheelchair since 1980 and they had a demonstration of tai chi at the MS Society in 1983. I said: “I wish I could do something like that and get out of this damn chair.’ They said ‘you can.’” 

Eight years later, Kring was able to give her wheelchair to the MS Society.

“Around 1991 I got out of it totally and I plan on staying out of it,” she said.

Joann MacLachlan began tai chi about six years ago.

“I’m a couch potato. I wanted something gentle that I could do until they carry me out,” MacLachlan said. “With tai chi, there is no impact. They are all very smooth and gentle movements. There is no throwing any muscles, no sudden moves and you’re not hitting the floor hard. It’s a moving meditation because you really have to focus on what you are doing.”

Taoist tai chi consists of 108 moves that, when done together, take about 20 minutes to complete. People of any age or fitness level can easily master the exercise, which originated in ancient China as a martial art form.

Moy Lin-shin, founder of the International Taoist Tai Chi Society, opened the first Canadian branch of the organization in Toronto in 1970. It is now practiced worldwide.

“If I travel, I can go to classes and do the exact same thing as we are doing here,” MacLachlan said.

Brantford classes are held at 160 Brantwood Park Rd. five days a week, mornings and evenings. Beginners, health recovery, seniors and continuing classes are offered and new members are welcome. Visit www.taoist.org/brantford or call 519-757-1193 for more information.