A four day Asian-themed event is coming to an Ipswich shopping centre later this week.
Shoppers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in a two-hour demonstration by members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society Group of Suffolk.
It will host a range of activities and the chance to try out martial art with a difference. This particular martial art is best known for its grace and whole body health benefits.
On Saturday during lunchtime, visitors will have the chance to try the exercise of Tai Chi. It claims to provide significant benefits, both mental and physical, including aiding those with chronic illnesses and serious health issues such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety and depression.
It worked for Sue Denny, the chair of the Suffolk group who turned to Taoist Tai Chi in 2005 to help aid her recovery from bowel cancer having had a tumour removed.
Sue, 70, said: “I had quite a serious bout of cancer and was gradually building my energy up so I was looking to take something up where I could increase my energy levels.
“I also wanted to do something with a sense of community and something which included meditation and had a spiritual element.
“When you have cancer or are recovering from it, it’s a period of your life where you can be down and have no energy. You wonder if you can get back to where you were before. I maintain that without Tai Chi I probably wouldn’t have.”
The four-day event will run from 11.30am from Thursday, April 5 to Sunday, April 8.
Each day there will be themed arts and crafts, pop-up karaoke and a host of promotions and discounts.
It will also include children’s daytime events followed by student activities and include a Japanese styled photo wall and dress up box along with lantern making, origami, painting, sushi making and Japanese calligraphy class.
There will be opportunities for shoppers to embrace the theme with a special menu at Chopstix, River Island discount on Kimonos and other Japanese inspired fashion, and offers on stationary and coloured paper for Japanese crafts at Ryman’s.
For more information on the event, visit www.sailmakersshopping.co.uk
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