‘It’s Never Too Late to Start” – 90 Year Old Kevin Bee on Staying Active

Kevin Bee discovered Tai Chi at the age of 74, and at now at 90 he’s still going strong as an instructor in the ancient Chinese martial art, and has been teaching Tai Chi at Brisbane City Council active and healthy classes for over 15 years.

Kevin is all too eager in encouraging people of all ages to get off the couch and out into nature, to keep both the mind and body strong.

“As you grow older there’s two things you tend to lose – mobility and socialisation.  Being active can help with both of those – the loss of mobility is often caused bad posture and lack of exercise.

“In the classes I teach I’ve seen friendships grow from people who’ve met in the class.”

Kevin said that it was important for people of all ages to find an activity that would keep them active and healthy.

“It’s never too late to start; I’ve taught six year olds and I’ve taught 96 year olds.  You’ve got to stay active – come along and try something like Tai Chi – don’t just watch it, you’ve got to participate.  You’ve got nothing to lose.”

All month long the Brisbane City Council has been celebrating Seniors Month with a range of activities, as well as some special events for Grandparents Day on October 31.

But it’s not just October that seniors can get out and get active in our parks; Brisbane City Council offers classes for Seniors throughout the year as part of the Growing Old, Living Dangerously (GOLD) program.

Kevin reckons that his partnership with council as a fitness instructor is something that benefits the entire community.

“Council provide the venues and we provide the expertise.  But of course there’s more that the council support than Tai Chi – there’s activities all over the city as varied as aqua aerobics and dance, tennis, pilates and walking tours.”

You can listen to the full interview with Kevin in the audio player above.