CLARKS SUMMIT — When thinking about martial arts, most likely envision intense combat or flying kicks.

A class at Dragons’ Heart Martial Arts, 313 Davis St., focuses less on physical contact and more on physical wellness.

SiGung Joe McGuire and Sean Kapp lead adult Tai Chi classes geared toward older individuals.

Per McGuire, the class has many benefits, including helping participants breathe better.

“It opens and clears the lungs, improves balance, improves oxygenation of the blood which lowers blood pressure, and calms the mind,” he said. “It gets rid of all the extraneous junk of the day.”

Judy Cutler, 68, of Clarks Green, a former physical therapist, raved about how the class transformed her life.

“It’s one of the best ways, especially as we get older, that you can maintain and improve your balance, strength, flexibility and well-being in general,” she said. “I’ve been doing it for a number of years and it’s seen me though a lot of major medical issues.

“Each time, I can’t wait to get back here because I know it’s going to help with the healing process.”

Cutler also stressed how much the class helps from a mental health standpoint.

“When I first started, I was still working and it was a very stressful part of my career path,” she said. “I was looking for something that would help me with mind relaxation. I tried yoga and it just didn’t talk to me and my body type. After I went to my first Tai Chi class, I came out and called my daughter and said I’ve found it. I’ve never lost that feeling.

“I leave here in a much better frame of mind than when I get here. It’s just a really great way to keep myself put together.”

Debbie Miller, 67, of South Abington Township, who also worked as a physical therapist, began taking the class just before retiring and was enlightened about her own body’s capabilities.

“As someone who is supposed to know movement, I discovered I could tell people how they were supposed to move and discovered I couldn’t move that way myself,” she said.

Miller also has experienced an improvement in her breathing since beginning Tai Chi.

“I have respiratory issues and when they did the spirometry there was a huge change in my ability to perform,” she said.

According to Kapp, the class is especially beneficial for senior citizens, but people of all ages will see results.

“I’m trying to get the older community in here because the number-one risk to them is losing their balance and breaking a bone,” he said. “Tai Chi is extremely beneficial to maintaining balance.”

The adult Tai Chi class meets at 6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The classes are typically one hour.

Dragons Hearts’ Martial Arts co-owner Susan Duckworth, left, and Judy Cutler participate in a Tai Chi class.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_ABJ-Dragons-1.jpg.optimal.jpgDragons Hearts’ Martial Arts co-owner Susan Duckworth, left, and Judy Cutler participate in a Tai Chi class. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Mary Ann McGuire, left, and Damian Shumski take part in a Tai Chi class at Dragons’ Heart Martial Arts.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_ABJ-Dragons-2.jpg.optimal.jpgMary Ann McGuire, left, and Damian Shumski take part in a Tai Chi class at Dragons’ Heart Martial Arts. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Dragons’ Heart Martial Arts offers adult Tai Chi classes. From left, front row, co-owner Sean Kapp and Damian Shumski. Back row, Debbie Miller, co-owner Susan Duckworth, Judy Cutler and Mary Ann McGuire.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_ABJ-Dragons-3.jpg.optimal.jpgDragons’ Heart Martial Arts offers adult Tai Chi classes. From left, front row, co-owner Sean Kapp and Damian Shumski. Back row, Debbie Miller, co-owner Susan Duckworth, Judy Cutler and Mary Ann McGuire. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

By Robert Tomkavage

rtomkavage@timesleader.com

Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.