JOHOR BARU: She was widowed at age 31, when her husband met with a traffic accident that left her with three young kids to care for on her own.
But this did not break Loh Kam Moi’s spirit.
The single mother, now 76, said in order to raise her children, she worked at a clothes factory near her home in Kulai by day before continuing to sell chicks on her bicycle by night.
“My late husband used to sell chicks from house to house on his motorcycle.
“He was on the way to collect some chicks from Tampoi before the tragic incident about 45 years ago.
Staying fit: Loh striking a tai chi pose under the guidance of instructor Ooi Kean Seng in Taman Century, Johor Baru.
“Back in those days, people used to buy chicks for RM1 each to raise them in time for slaughter during the festive season.
“After my husband’s death, I decided to continue his work to earn enough money to put my children through school,” she told The Star in an interview.
“I worked at the factory from 8am until 5pm before going around the Kulai area selling chicks until about 8.30pm,” she said.
The loss of her companion and having to work two jobs soon took a toll on her health.
“I was always feeling tired and sad. My body became frail and stiff due to nerve problems. There were times when I could not even lift my leg.
“That was when I sought help and found out about tai chi through a friend,” she said, adding that the Chinese martial art – which involves sequences of slow controlled movements – helped to improve her health.
“Back then, I had to take a two-hour bus ride from Kulai to Johor Baru just to learn tai chi once a week.
“It was quite tough and painful for me to follow the movements at first but I told myself to persevere for my children.
“After about four years of regular practice, my health improved significantly and I have never stopped since,” said the grandmother of six.
These days, the septuagenarian insists on spending at least 30 minutes practicing tai chi at home and for an hour once a week at a park near her house in Taman Century here.
Loh, who also used to teach tai chi at secondary schools as a certified instructor, advised the younger generation not to dismiss the martial art as an activity for old folks.
She added that many of her students had noticed improvements to their health issues such as migraine and sinus infection after learning tai chi.
“In a way, tai chi saved my life as it improved my health and gave me a sense of direction.
“What I love about it the most is that the movements, though slow but purposeful, teaches me patience and perseverance.
“I find it quite satisfying to work up a sweat too,” she quipped.
