The Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum's doors are open to the community in a new and active way - free weekly Tai Chi and Qigong classes.
The initiative, hosted in the museum’s community centre on Wale Street, is a collaboration between Iziko Museums and the Nozomi Organisation, held every Wednesday at 10.30am.
Iziko Museums' curator for culture and identity Annelize Kotze said that the programme was aimed at transforming the museum into a "living community space" where heritage and well-being went hand-in-hand.
Museum communal space
She said that hosting these classes aligned with the museum’s commitment to community engagement and the principle of Batho Pele - putting people first.
"The museum is more than a place where heritage is preserved and displayed," she said.
"It can also be a living community space where people feel a sense of belonging, dignity, and connection," said Kotze.
All is welcome
Non-profit organisation founder and coordinator Erefaan Ramjam, from Bo-Kaap, said that participants of all levels were welcome to attend the sessions, which focused on calm movement, controlled breathing, and finding balance.
Parking is conveniently available at the back of the museum via Dorp Street.
While the classes are free to attend, donations are welcome to help sustain the programme.
Ramjam said whether you are looking to manage anxiety or simply want to improve your physical vitality in a supportive environment.
"All community members are encouraged to come along," he said.
What to do
Instructor Abdul Aziz Abrahams, from Northpine, highlighted that the group setting was particularly beneficial, allowing attendees to tap into collective energy to help alleviate stress, manage physical pain, and improve sleep quality.
He teaches the Yang Style 24-Form Tai Chi, a popular and global-wide practiced tai chi routine, created in 1956, as a standardised, gentle, and accessible introduction to the martial art.
He also adds qigong, pronounced "chee-gong", an ancient Chinese mind-body practice that combines gentle movement, controlled breathing, and meditation to cultivate and balance vital life energy; self-healing and a bit of Chinese medicine practices to help participants facilitate and incorporate exercises and teachings into daily routine and worship.
"The focus is not on perfecting the form, but rather on the intention of healing and finding mental clarity," he said.
Abrahams said that the movements were soft, circular, and done with steady breathing.
"It is about balance. When you feel discomfort. Stop. Breathe and try again," he said.
Its benefits
Participant Wageeda Williams, from Bo-Kaap, said that when she started the class about three months ago she was very unfit.
"It is very enriching. You're not tired anymore and your sleep pattern is better. You just feel amazing. You must practice this every day, but you don't always get to do it. So, the weekly classes remind you," she said.
Another participant Ashraf Maharaj, from Goodwood, said the class was aimed at keeping all of them healthy.
"Gain the maximum benefit of these moves, keep us healthy, strong, energetic and aimed at exercising the whole body," he said.
"It also has a mental aspect, beside the whole body, spiritually, grow and develop by doing these exercises," he said.
For more information contact Ramjam on 064 600 4430 or Abrahams at 091 707 4610.
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