Top honour for tai chi student

Concord businessman Michael Larkin is a busy man, but he always makes sure there is time for tai chi.

The 58-year-old, who grew up in Burwood, embarked on a life-changing experience in 2007 when he began tai chi classes. By his own admittance, Mr Larkin has always been “a sporty kind of a bloke”, and after participating in the Concord Relay for Life race, he met a tai chi instructor and began training with Tai Chi Fitness Australia (TCFA) in various locations around Sydney.

Over the years, he continued his training, travelling to Asia to enhance his practise and, mid last year successfully completed the instructor’s course. The hard work paid off in January 2012 when Mr Larkin received the Tai Chi Fitness Australia Student of the Year Award.

“I was very humbled to receive it,” he told Burwood Scene.

While he has some regrets about not discovering tai chi until much later in life, he has already seen a number of radical changes within himself.

“I’m a less stressful person than what I was,” he said. “Even when I’m driving a car, or waiting in line at the supermarket, I’m always thinking about my posture and that’s what happens: you start to live and think tai chi every minute of your life.”

Learning the art of teaching also taught him much about tolerance.

“When you teach people tai chi it must be without criticism,” Mr Larkin said. “You must have positive encouragement for others and be modest in your attitude. Never say you are better than anyone else. I have never forgot that lesson.”

Now, there are plans for him to bring tai chi classes to Concord. Though he has not finalised a date or venue, Mr Larkin hopes to start teaching within the next few months. While it might be an exercise that is popular with the elderly, he believes that it can benefit those of all ages.

“I recommend it to everybody because it is an exercise of longevity,” he said. “It will improve your life in quality and quantity.”

Story by Mitchell Jordan