Art of staying fit
Septuagenarian helps all ages master tai chi at Life Time in Summerlin
Tai chi is nothing short of ferocious if you ask Laurence Berkley.
The 77-year-old Sifu, or tai chi teacher, has traveled the world — destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan, Myanmar and Spain — over the past 50-plus years, mastering the art of flexibility and balance. Today, he’s the oldest trainer at Life Time in Summerlin, where, under the moniker “fitness ambassador,” Berkley shares his love for the martial art in one-on-one and small group classes.
“I got very interested in fitness — which it wasn’t called that in the ’60s, it was just called exercise,” said Berkley, who acknowledges he resembles a modern version of the character Pai Mei from Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: Vol. 2.”
Two karate teachers in the Los Angeles area, where Berkley lived at the time, turned him on to tai chi and yoga after Berkley received his black belt in karate in 1963.
On a recent Wednesday, Berkley lifted his arms and legs, demonstrating for a student a set of proper movements in the practice of tai chi. He wore a white robeand-pant set, sported a silver ponytail with a thick beard to complement, and broke the martial-art mystique with a pair of redand-black sneakers, a look his manager at the gym recently approved, he said.
Tai chi is an ancient Chinese martial art, using breathing and movement for exercise and relaxation. The National Institute FIT
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of Aging promotes it as a way to stay healthy later in life.
A 2016 study from the International Journal of Gerontology said the practice can help prevent falls among older adults. It can also improve bone and heart health, ease pain from osteoarthritis and improve sleep.
Tai chi, which can be practiced in slow motion up to what Berkley calls a “windstorm,” has helped the lanky septuagenarian stay limber and keep his balance as he ages.
That’s partially because tai chi helps manage stress and inflammation, said Sherri Robinson, a Life Time trainer and team development manager.
“It’s probably something I should be doing, to be honest with you,” said Robinson, now 65. “We strive to keep chronic inflammation at bay, because that can lead to illness.”
Traditionally, the study is practiced slowly, Berkley said, “so that the nervous system can really express itself throughout the entire body.”
Even then, it’s a workout, he said — “Like if you took a walk for 50 minutes.”
But if a student wants to emphasize cardio, Berkley picks up the pace.
At a recent class with 50-year-old student Connie Kellers, Berkley moved slowly. Kellers, who began tai chi in March, said she has less lower back pain now.
“I had the ‘office worker hunch,’ and I think he’s really helped me think about standing up straight, using balance, even just everyday sitting down and standing up,” she said.
Berkley has worked with a diverse set of clients. He trained Red Hot Chili Peppers band members in
Los Angeles in the ’90s, early in the band’s career. They later used some of the moves on stage.
He’s also worked with clients across the age spectrum. The kids call him “Grandfather Tai Chi,” while adults ask whether the practice could help older relatives.
The answer is yes.
“It’s movement without any strain. This is not, ‘No pain, no gain,’ this is, ‘No pain, you progress,” Berkley said.
After a major surgery, Berkley’s doctor asked him what he did for exercise. Berkley answered: “Yoga, Pilates and tai chi.”
“You know what the surgeon said?” Berkley recalled. “‘It saved your life. Keep it going.’ ”
Contact Jessie Bekker at jbekker@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4563. Follow @jessiebekks on Twitter.