Tai Chi update
12 May 2005 03:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
karohemdFueled by the Intensive last Sunday, things went a lot smoother.
I'm now finally getting a better grip on the Brush Knee sequence and can step properly and slowly without having to concentrate to keep my balance, same through the Strum the Pei Pa/Step up, Parry, Punch sequence. The latter is especially tricky as you have to step over your front foot (usually your feet are next to each other).
My spine/hip flexibility is quite poor but better than it used to be so if I keep this up, this should improve gradually over the next months and years.
The instructor on Sunday told us a bit about his life story, about how Tai Chi helped him. As he's a driving instructor, he's had troubles with his spine which gradually were relieved by his practicing (a lot of the advanced moves both twist/rotate and contract/expand the spine) and according to his chiropractor, his spine is now about five years younger than he is (or rather, his spine is in a state that's typical for someone five years younger).
I'm a bit old to reverse any damage to my spine I might have (it's a bit crooked but I don't actually have any problems) but Tai Chi will help to slow down the aging by keeping it flexible. Apparently, the special movements agitate the circulation of spinal fluid (something that normally doesn't happen) which helps keeping the structure from deterioating.
I've also spoken to someone who claims he's actually grown an inch as his spine has straightened over the last six years he's been practicing.
There are some amazing stories from the Health Recovery Centre in Ontario (where the society is based), not only from accident victims but also people suffering from Parkinson's and similar debilitating diseases who couldn't be helped with conventional physiotherapy methods. The instructors at the HRC work with doctors to ensure everything is safe. I know of a Parkinsons sufferer who stopped shaking after two weeks of intense Tai Chi training. Remarkable.
I'm now finally getting a better grip on the Brush Knee sequence and can step properly and slowly without having to concentrate to keep my balance, same through the Strum the Pei Pa/Step up, Parry, Punch sequence. The latter is especially tricky as you have to step over your front foot (usually your feet are next to each other).
My spine/hip flexibility is quite poor but better than it used to be so if I keep this up, this should improve gradually over the next months and years.
The instructor on Sunday told us a bit about his life story, about how Tai Chi helped him. As he's a driving instructor, he's had troubles with his spine which gradually were relieved by his practicing (a lot of the advanced moves both twist/rotate and contract/expand the spine) and according to his chiropractor, his spine is now about five years younger than he is (or rather, his spine is in a state that's typical for someone five years younger).
I'm a bit old to reverse any damage to my spine I might have (it's a bit crooked but I don't actually have any problems) but Tai Chi will help to slow down the aging by keeping it flexible. Apparently, the special movements agitate the circulation of spinal fluid (something that normally doesn't happen) which helps keeping the structure from deterioating.
I've also spoken to someone who claims he's actually grown an inch as his spine has straightened over the last six years he's been practicing.
There are some amazing stories from the Health Recovery Centre in Ontario (where the society is based), not only from accident victims but also people suffering from Parkinson's and similar debilitating diseases who couldn't be helped with conventional physiotherapy methods. The instructors at the HRC work with doctors to ensure everything is safe. I know of a Parkinsons sufferer who stopped shaking after two weeks of intense Tai Chi training. Remarkable.
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no subject
Date: 12/5/05 03:35 pm (UTC)you reccomend?
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Date: 12/5/05 03:58 pm (UTC)If someone unsporty as me can do it, it's for everyone.
Hm, I just had a look at the branch directory, our society doesn't have any in the Midlands, I'm afraid.
Form and style of instruction will differ in other groups so I can't say what others will be like but I'm sure you'll find something.
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Date: 12/5/05 03:59 pm (UTC)bah
no subject
Date: 12/5/05 04:16 pm (UTC)I do an adopted version of Yang style.