The Villages - January 2020 - 46

Health

THE ART OF SELF-HEALING,
CHI DANCING & YO-PI-CHI-MED
HELGA MALINSKY, INSTRUCTOR
The force of life, the flow of energy - this is chi. Traditional
Chinese culture calls it the measure of a person's vitality, crucial to
health and harmony. Merging the principles of meditation with the
power of movement, Helga Malinsky created her gentle, rejuvenating
curriculum - Chi Dance.
Via graceful movements, calming music and positive affirmations,
Enrichment Academy participants balance their chi
and gain whole-health benefits backed by science.
"We are more than bodies," Malinsky said.
Although her class is fairly new to the Academy,
Malinsky spent years honing her three-pronged
approach to fitness (body, mind and spirit).
"I'm a certified yoga instructor and a retired
wellness director for a large retirement community
in Virginia Beach, Virginia," she said. "It was the best
job in the world. I had a terrific budget to bring in teachers,
educate myself and travel to national wellness conferences."
At one such conference, Malinsky met Roger Jahnke, author,
teacher and doctor of traditional Chinese medicine.
"He taught us some chi movements," she said. "I believe we have
to bless our bodies - that's the first step to reaching any goal -
whether it's weight loss or just feeling better. It's about gratitude for
what we have."
Malinsky cites a fitness guru who inspired her with a simple,
practical phrase: "Every little bit helps."
"You realize, you can take little steps every day and make a
difference," she said.
At 76 years old, Malinsky finds tai chi empowering.
"Harvard Medical school published a guide to tai chi," she said. "I
like to quote Dr. Gloria Yee, who says it improves strength, flexibility
and balance; it may be the most perfect activity for the rest of your life."
Beyond physical gains, Malinsky hopes participants learn to
harness their energy and use it as a tool for optimal health.
At the end of each class, she recites the five Reiki precepts. "Just for
today, I will not anger. Just for today, I will not worry. Just for today, I
will be humble. Just for today, I will do my work honestly. Just for today,
I will have compassion for myself and others."

OTHER CLASSES TO TRY:
Ballroom dancing, one-stroke painting, aquatics or growing fresh vegetables - these are just a few of the
classes in this season's Enrichment Academy catalog. Fostering a love of learning and lifelong health and
wellness, resident instructors bring their expertise to local recreation centers. Take a look at what's coming up
and find a new hobby, set some goals, and have fun in the process. www.districtgov.org.
46

JANUARY 2020

http://www.districtgov.org

The Villages - January 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - January 2020