Off-duty PC is undercover Tai Chi guru

Tommy is passing on his knowledge to others

A cop swapped the mean streets of Paisley for the more relaxed atmosphere of Tai Chi lessons.

Community police officer PC Tommy McFedries has been sharing his love of the traditional martial art with service users at Capability Scotland.

Tommy, who pounds the Ralston and Gallowhill beat, visits the Paisley Road centre of the disability charity once a week, says Tai Chi has lots of benefits.

He said: “I go in once a week to work with the service users at Capability Scotland to share some Tai Chi with them.

“I have been doing it for around a year, so I have been passing on my knowledge.

“It can be really good for posture and mobility, so that is what we have been working on. Some of the service users need to sit in chairs while doing the movements, so we have tailored some of them for them.

“But I think we will be able to get them standing up soon.”

After more than 20 years studying martial arts, Tommy was only too happy to lend a hand.

He said: “I have studied Aikido and karate for many years, and last year I took up Tai Chi.

“I thought it would be a good thing to share with people. I put on a session at Capability and they really enjoyed it, so now we have made it a regular thing.

“Tai Chi has a martial, fighting side to it but I don’t teach any of that. We work on posture and movement.

“I try to teach the balance and mobility elements as well. Tai Chi is really relaxing and it is a good way of building core strength without too much heavy exertion.”

Capability Scotland provides care, education and employment services for disabled children and adults across Scotland.

To find out more about the services they offer in Renfrewshire, phone 0141 887 1955.

Tai Chi is really relaxing and it is a good way of building core strength without too much heavy exertion

Tommy McFedries