Silver Story: Keith Boswell and the Mindful Movement Center
Keith Boswell, Co-Founder of the Mindful Movement Center
"If you don't take time for wellness, you for sure will have to take time for illness!"
The Mindful Movement Center promotes a Life of Balance
This month we interviewed Mr. Keith Boswell, one of three founders of the Mindful Movement Center, located in West Peoria. The mission of the center is: A Life of Balance: Taiji Peoria is focused on improving health through connecting the mind and body. We build strength, balance, improve cognitive and cardiovascular function by integrating body, breath, movement, and meditative awareness. The goal is to apply these skills to enhance well-being and improve our daily lives.
Mr. Boswell has been practicing Taiji for over 40 years. In the 1980s, he was interested in the martial arts for its fitness and mental discipline. It was in this pursuit, that he became aware of Taiji as a non-aggressive form of Chinese martial arts. The benefits of this practice are reduced stress, reduced blood pressure, improved sleep and balance, helps to reduce anxiety, builds confidence, and can be practiced anywhere and throughout our lives. Keith noticed that older persons were particularly drawn to Tiaji, and in this observation, he notes that “older people do not stick with an activity unless they see the benefit of it.” Keith notes that Tiaji improves cognition due to the learning involved with every move. Practicing Tiaji helps to maintain physical and mental functioning at any age and improves our capabilities to age well. His message to younger persons is to remember that “Our health is everything.” One of his mottos is "If you don't take time for wellness, you for sure will have to take time for illness!"
As Mr. Boswell began to practice Tiaji, he found friends with which to practice. With advancement in the practice, he and his friends each began to teach Taiji at various locations. Due to limited time slots available and other constraints, he and his co-founders, Mr. Jim Wheeler and Mr. Dwight Edwards, decided to invest in their own studio in 2018. The studio started off with a group of faithful students and a few classes a week. COVID-19, of course, brought its limitations to classes so the owners pivoted to online classes, which persist today. Keith notes students are participating in these classes for a variety of reasons: weather, health, or distance. There are students all over the county participating! All levels of practice are welcome and accommodations for each person’s abilities are readily made.
The impetus to continue the practice of Tiaji for Mr. Boswell is the incredible mental and physical health offered through it. The studio owners share a desire to offer this gift of wellness to the community as a service to give back from the wealth of benefits they enjoy from the practice.
During our interview, he acknowledged an early teacher of his, Mrs. Juanita Brandon, who encouraged him to fulfill what she perceived as serious expectations of his talents. He gratefully notes that he has always respected the wisdom of elders, which helped to draw him to the practice of Taiji in the first place. He saw older persons engaged in the practice and knew that it must hold great value. And his recognition of that wisdom has led him into a fruitful practice for himself and others.
Graceland Center salutes Mr. Boswell for his commitment to self-care and his sharing of this gift of wellness to the Peoria community. We especially are grateful for his own wisdom in the respect of elders and the gifts older persons bring to others. Be sure to visit the Mindful Movement Center’s website for more information!
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