For most people, a sense of balance is creating time for equal parts work and play but as one enters senior life, balance takes on a more literal meaning. As most people know, West Roxbury has one of the highest concentrations of seniors in Boston.

Luckily, Ethos, a non-profit organization aimed at improving quality of life for elders, offers Tai Chi, among many other empowering classes. Recently, volunteer Lois Baho led a Tai Chi class in the community room of the West Roxbury Police Station.

This class is of the Yang style of Tai Chi and is 12 weeks, meeting twice weekly for hour-long sessions. The Yang style typically provides 24 forms, but this particular class focuses on eight of those moves, which students are encouraged to practice at home. In general, Tai Chi is, at least in this form, thought of as moving meditation, including slow, gentle choreographed movements meant to sooth. Ethos also offers Tai Ji Quan, an art form incorporating Tai Chi, strength exercises and breathing technique, as well as a Tai Chi club for those with more experience.

Baho, who has taught for over a decade, gave a brief description of her training guide for the course.

“Dr. Fuzhong Li, PhD, a senior scientist at Oregon Research Institute, developed this initial program for seniors and Parkinson's patients to improve balance. Many of my students over the years noticed a difference sooner. Besides balance, students noticed they had more flexibility, mobility and some even had lower blood pressure,” she said.

Requirements for taking the class are being 60-plus and living in Boston. Joan Nelson, of Mission Hill, said what drew her to the class was the promise of better balance.

“My body fluctuates between rigidity and flexibility,” she said. After two to three weeks of Tai Chi, she said she noticed improved flexibility and less discomfort. She said she practices at home too, to maintain the positive effects. In addition to the physical benefits, there are mental and social ones, too. She said with the memorization of steps and following them so thoroughly, each class improves cognitive function.

At the start of the class, students sat in chairs as Baho gently demonstrated moves in her ballet slippers. Even the director of Ethos, Michelle Consalvo, sat down and gently moved her feet. She said she thinks Baho’s teaching is wonderful. “Remember the 70 percent rule? Only do 70 percent, don’t overdo,” Baho said. That concept might seem foreign to younger generations who hear from bosses, parents, and athletes to always give 100 percent. “Tai Chi is ancient. It’s slow-motion martial arts. There are many forms and hundreds of positions,” Baho said.

Midway through class, Baho asked one of her students how he was doing and he smiled brightly while doing his steps. Baho referred to him as “No Cane Sam.” Sam’s daughter sat at a table while watching her father practice moves that accompany his physical therapy. Sam began the class using a cane, and while he did sit during much of the standing portion of the class, his wide grin and admiring daughter were proof that Tai Chi gives seniors a sense of empowerment.

Isabella, of Hyde Park, said she literally could not stand on her own before this class. Holding a glass of water altered her sense of balance to the point the glass went crashing to her kitchen floor, she said smiling. Her social worker recommended Tai Chi, and after the first day she noticed improvement. She said, instead of hanging at home overusing her cane and watching TV, she prefers incorporating Tai Chi into her lifestyle.

She also gave credit to Peter Conneely who sometimes teaches alongside Baho. He is the Healthy Aging Program Director at Ethos as well as the Tai Ji Quan instructor. He happens to be very tall, while Baho is barely five feet, and Isabella said the combination of the two of them is almost comical. Despite witnessing people doing Tai Chi in public parks, she had no idea of the benefits until taking the class. “I am so glad Ethos has this.”

While many of the students seemed grateful to Ethos, many had an almost devotion to Baho who they said was calm, slow-moving and took the time to teach each and every movement and made time for students who needed more explanation.

Baho herself is a senior and somehow manages being a full-time real estate agent geared for seniors, volunteering for Ethos as a Tai Chi instructor, as well as a member of the Evening Garden Club. In spite of an ever-busy schedule, Baho is calm and deliberate in her interactions.

Married couple Mary and Richard Rafferty of West Roxbury take the class specifically because of Baho, who they have been following for years. The West Roxbury police station is the latest spot for the classes and Baho’s favorite because of the large windows which bring in a lot of sunlight. The Rafferty’s also enjoy fitness classes at the senior pilot at the Elks but said Tai Chi reinforces what they learn in physical therapy because of the routines and relaxation aspects.

Elaine Carrol, of West Roxbury, said she is a recently retired reporter and while she is not “that old” she struggles with vertigo. Doctors recommended Tai Chi. “I’ve been thrilled. Lois is so dedicated and makes sure we don’t get hurt. I’d always wanted to try and be part of the community.” For more information and to enroll, visit www.ethocar.org