I know nothing about tai chi but went down the yoga route last year after receiving lots of positive reports and encouragement here, works for me.

Should you try it I’m interested to know what you make of the tai chi.

Good luck with the rehabilitation.

Mark.

Wahoo– I too have considered trying Tai Chi, so will also appreciate any good videos recommended here. I’ve never done it but have watched it being done and talked with practitioners. It’s presented as “slow motion martial arts” and focuses on balance, isometric exercise, and conservation and grace of movement. I’m currently back in physical therapy for mid-spine arthritis, which helps but is temporary. I’d love to find an exercise routine that is easy to stick with forever and provides permanent relief. Otherwise my days of backpacking and long hunts with heavy packs are over. Can’t have that, now can we?

If it’s okay for Jeffrey Labowski, then it’s okay for me!

Tai Chi is terrific… as I remember. I did some long ago, but the classes ended up conflicting with some other things. It’s a great work out for your legs, balance and breathing. You might be surprised how sore your quads get from moving so slow. I would recommend a class if you can swing it. It’s good to get the personal attention. Like other things around here, form is everything. dwc

I went to 9 classes with my wife this spring. I can see tremendous potential for the – key word – dedicated – practitioner. I saw 70 somethings and an 80 something or two move very fluidly, the instructor saying several came initially with varying degrees of arthritis. As I age I may revisit. I am still your basic push-upper and do a lot of off rd walking on the job. Tai Chi will humble you. It is the iceberg effect to what you think you know of your body and mind. We did not use video so I can’t help there. Go for it!

I have no experience with Tai Chi other than what I have heard from a few friends who do it at a Tai Chi studio (I guess that’s what you call it). But my take on it is that to get the full potential, you need to do it in a group with an instructor. Everything depends on form (just like something else we know). In the case of Yoga and Tai Chi you need an experienced person looking at you and touching you to help you achieve that form. There are several Tai Chi studio’s around us. Would think the same most everywhere.

David Petersen wrote: …I’m currently back in physical therapy for mid-spine arthritis, which helps but is temporary. I’d love to find an exercise routine that is easy to stick with forever and provides permanent relief…

Dave,

I had/have real back problems and finally ended up with a physical therapist who gave me exercises to do. I should do them religiously, but I do them sort of unreligiously. Still, they make all the difference. My back is stronger and more reliable now than it has been since my 20’s.

You are right to look for exercises to do. And your therapist should be able to give them to you. But permanent? Alas, what can we ever find that is permanent?

My advice is – stop falling out of trees 😳

Steve makes a good point about groups and instruction. I did some work for some folks several years back. The husband practiced Tai Chi, and was such a calm and centered man. Their house was on the river and most mornings there would be a group of 6 or so practicing together on the bank. Seemed really graceful and appealing, especially in that setting. I can see where there would be physical and emotional benefits.

Tai chi

Aw guys–it’s intense coupled with judo you are really capable of some amazing things even when your my old.

It makes your mind think “Young” did it every morning on my road trip with Dave.

If you let your mind lead the way your body will follow—well up to a point8)

Mike

I trained with an instructor when I was in the service in sunny San Diego, when I was reassigned he gave me a book of poses and stretching routines in it. He told me to practice what he had taught me and to learn a new pose every day. At the end of the book was several exercise routines putting the poses into motion. It really helped my balance and reaction speed even though most of the movements are made extremely slowly. I practiced it for years and still return to it when I feel myself stiffening up.

Unfortunately my instructor passed away years ago and I lost the book and can’t remember the title.

Some one told me once that “the knees where the second thing to go but I can’t remember what the first thing was” I thought it was funning when I heard it but now I’m beginning to feel that same way myself. 😯

I will look through the on line book stores to see if I can find the right title and get back to you.

Remember that no matter what DVD or book or instructor you try the first couple of weeks will be sore stiff muscles and frustration in learning your first “real” poses of a routine no matter how good of shape you think your in.

I have a DVD collection called Tai Cheng – it is sold by BeachBody. It has some great benefits, but I think specific stretches, and yoga poses might be better. Chi Gong maybe as well.

I have been testing the waters of, Animal Flow, Move Nat, and Idol Portal. You might want to do some Internet searches on them. The Animal Flow will work your arms, shoulders and core a LOT.

The Tai Cheng neural reboot sequence is a good routine to do every morning.

Hope that helps. Todd Smith