Walter Barnett

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Dear Karl:
Here's a recent article from the Houston Chronicle about what I'm up to here in Houston.
Have a great day,
Walter Barnett
Your Humble Tai Chi Practitioner

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nb/cyfair/news/5091375.html

FACES IN THE CROWD: Barnett learns, teaches flexible exercise form By STEPHANIE KING

CYPRESS resident Walter Barnett, needed an estimate for hail damage repair to his home's roof. He received one, but when he struck up a conversation about martial arts with the roofer, Barnett came away with much more.

Barnett told the roofer he had never practiced martial arts, but he had always been interested in them and though in his 50s, still was.

"I asked him if he didn't think I was too old to start now. He said, 'you're never too old to learn something new.'"

With this encouragement, Barnett, began studying tai chi in 1999.
Though he is still a student, he is now an tai chi instructor several days a week. Barnett teaches continuing education classes at Tomball College and teaches at Texas Sports Medicine Center at Tomball Regional Medical Center.

Does the body good

Barnett, 64, can personally attest to the benefits of a tai chi session.

"It is good for the mind, body and soul. It is an internal martial art and a moving meditation. It is exercise from the inside out," said Barnett, employed as the director of regulatory affairs and quality assurance for a medical device company.

"Tai chi has helped me to relax more and be much more patient—but most importantly, regular practice has helped keep my blood pressure in a normal range. In May of 2000, I had surgery for a blocked circumflex artery, and tai chi has helped me get good results on my stress tests."

He said the slow, curving movements of tai chi improve muscle resiliency and joint flexibility and even if a student does not do the movements, learning to breathe correctly is beneficial.

"The body is moving itself, bearing its own weight, which allows muscles to strengthen. You also learn to fill the lungs, instead of breathing shallow like most people do, which puts more oxygen and nutrients into the blood and benefits the entire body," Barnett said.

While Sheri Weathers is still mastering tai chi breathing techniques, she is pleased with the four months she has been under the tutelage of Barnett.

"I've taken Jazzercise and really enjoyed it, but now I don't think my 54-year-old knees could handle all that high impact," said Weathers.

"Walter is a great instructor. He puts us at ease and lets us know that our movements don't have to be perfect."

Targeting arthritis

Working with partner Joan Pickering, Barnett is expanding his tai chi instruction to include classes for arthritis sufferers. Barnett said the flexibility exercises of tai chi help to reduce pain and stiffness, which thereby improve mobility.

Pickering and Barnett, both Arthritis Foundation certified instructors, are working out the specifics to bring their program "Moving Right Along" to the Texas Sports Medicine Center.

"There is no equipment necessary for tai chi. All that is needed is a desire to learn and improve your health," said Barnett. "It is a good way to get a new lease on life. You get to moving and rejuvenate your soul."

For more information about continuing education classes, visit www.tomballcollege.com . For details about the arthritis program, contact Barnett at 281-814-0655.

If you have a suggestion for a "Faces in the Crowd" profile, contact Gus Morgan at gus.morgan@chron.com or send a fax to 713-220-7552.

Brought to you by the HoustonChronicle.com