Carol Floyd doesn’t do tai chi and wing chun to protect herself, but that’s certainly a side benefit.

“Both of these Chinese martial arts strengthen my muscles and breathing, add to my muscle flexibility and improve my balance. They don’t include the possibility of being thrown down or any rough stuff that may hurt my already bad back,” she says.

She has also learned many self-defense strategies that make her feel more safe as she goes about her daily activities.

Floyd, 59, is a student of Scott Winokur, master instructor at the Midwest Chinese Martial Arts Center on the Missouri side of the state line. Winokur has been teaching various Chinese martial arts for more than 20 years and is enthusiastic about their many benefits.

“Tai chi is an amazing healing art,” he says. “It’s based on the principles of relaxing the body and reducing stress and anxiety of daily living. The health effects include strengthening the body’s bone structure, toning the muscles, increasing cardiovascular circulation and flushing the body’s toxins.”

He believes tai chi and its cousin chi kung are especially good for older adults. In chi kung, the student practices breathing exercises, which, when done regularly, energize the body and the mind.

This kind of breathing awakens and empowers the individual,” he says. “Add this to some practical, easy self-defense concepts using tools in our everyday environment such as a cane, umbrella, small wooden dowel or even a highlighter or writing pen, and you’re much better prepared if someone seeks to attack or mug you,” he says.

Who knows how limber, strong and invincible you might become with a bit of coaching. Or, like Carol Floyd you might go on to greater skills and find yourself competing in tournaments, Winkur says.

Aegis Gardens residents Nancy Tsang, left, Ethel Cunningham, center, and Joyce Wong follow the lead of care manager May Zhao during a seated tai chi exercise in Fremont, Calif.