T'ai Chi

[Kansas]

Does anyone else take T'ai Chi lessons?  If so, what has been your experience?
  My doctor recommended them for balance, and I have been helped.  The problem for me:  I hate every minute of it!  I am just miserable being so ridiculously far behind the other beginners.  It is scary for me.  I'm trying to adapt the moves to what I can do without being frightened, but it still isn't any fun for me.  I do, however, like the people in my group.
  I'm told "Just enjoy what you are able to do, and the rest will come,"  For one thing, I don't even enjoy doing what I can do, and secondly, I doubt if I ever will.
  I would so appreciate hearing other people's responses regarding how you make it (or try to make it) enjoyable for you.

  I don't want to quit, but...
Kansas Newbie

[deheisel11]

Kansas,
I began Taoist Tai Chi last year when I started to have balance problems.  I thought it was because I was getting older.  I initially thought I could never remember 108 moves.  I began taking lessions once a week and had troubles remembering the moves.  I forgot them 2 minutes after I left the lessons.  I then picked up a second session.  With two sessions per week I was able to remember much better.  At first I was not sure I liked it either, but I stuck with it.  After the surgery I was surprised I could do some of the moves, even though my regular balance was still off.  The people in the sessions I go to are older than I am but I really enjoy the comradarie.  Stick with it, it may turn out to be more fun the further you get into it.  Are you able to pick up a second session during the week? 

[TJ]

Kansas Newbie,

I did not like Tai Chi at at all!  There are many different types of exercises that can help with balance issues.  My Grandchildred have a Wii which has many different balance games built in.  I started doing them and now I have my own Wii.  Kind of pricey but a lot more fun.

TJ

[Jim Scott]

Kansas Newbie ~

I suspect that if you don't enjoy the Tai Chi exercises at all than you probably won't be too successful with them and your enthusiasm will spiral down until you eventually quit, gaining little or nothing for your efforts. 

I believe the Wii video games for balance seem to provide a more enjoyable workout for many folks so I would suggest that you look into that option.  A bit pricey, yes, but the Wii console can be used for sheer entertainment as well as balance therapy, making it an expense that may be worth considering. 

Jim

[Tumbleweed]

I tend to agree with Jim; do what you enjoy, so you'll stick with it.

I find walking outdoors is extremely helpful for me, improving my balance dramatically. It's a great stress-reducer, too, and helps me sleep much better.

Best wishes,
TW

[Jeanlea]

You might also consider yoga classes.  They work on balance a lot and building core strength.  I agree with the others, finding something you enjoy will probably work the best for you.

Jean

[Lizard]

I was going to suggest the Wii fit as well, many people have had success with it and you can do it in the privacy of your own home.  Yoga is great too...but as said above if you don't like it and it worries you then you probably should find a different activity.
Don't mean to discourage your attempt to help your balance and what not, but there are other ways for your to exercise.
Liz

[Kansas]

Thank you so much, everybody!  Your replies have helped me make a decision:

After I began to receive  your replies, I called the specialist who had advised me to take T'ai Chi, reporting my experience.  Of course the nurse answered instead of the doctor, but her advice was also helpful.  She didn't know of anyone with one balance nerve who has taken T'ai Chi and stuck with it.  She did say that the doctor perscribed the regimen to me only to learn the balance basics, which are very good.

So I'm quitting!  I have to go one more time to tell everyone goodbye, including the good teacher.  Then I'm going straight home.  I'm not going to put my self through that one more time.

Back to walking and on to investigating a Wii.

Love to you all, Kansas

[moe]

Hi Kansas,
Glad you decided to quit the T'ai Chi. I've never tried it and don't plan to. That to me is the ultimate in balance testing, and we all know that working with one sided balance makes us look a little retarded!
I can't remember what your surgery or treatment was.

good suggestions from previous posts.
Also Pilates  comes to mind.
I love to exercise, and gotta keep up with it for my future survival. I don't want to be an old person falling over, using a cane, etc.....(sorry if I offended anyone here )

Enjoy your walking, yoga, swimming, WII fit, wall climibing (? Donnalynn ?you actually do that?), or whatever you do. I would think a variety of things would help.
What part of Kansas are you from?
I'm an Overland Park/Prairie Village gal. Lived there my first 21 years of life.
Keep moving!
Maureen

[Kansas]

Wwow!  Climbing walls!  Awesome, Donnalynn.   Moe, I live in Leavenworth.  On a hill, naturally--but maybe that's good, because it's one more challenge.  Let's see--neuroma removed in 1989.  At that time my surgeon was quite proud that almost all my facial nerves are intact.  I'm an elder at 74, but I only use a cane when I'm climbing around in my yard to do maintenance.  Oh, yeah, I did fall over about 6 weeks ago. going down one of Leavenworth's paved hills.  I cracked a few ribs here and there, losing pride in my improved walking and a whole lot of self confidence.  When my ribs quit hurting enough for me to move around I realized I'd lost a lot of balance, too, and my spirits really took a nose dive.  That's history now, though---am almost back to where I was.

I did use a cane a lot after I got my two new knees, five years ago.  Did I ever hate to use that cane! But now that's history, too. 

You guys, your exercise sounds great.  Yes, I also like walking.  I will miss the camaraderie at T'ai Chi, but am looking forward to getting a Wii.  And I'm finding great friends on this web site!

Kansas

[6pick]

Hi Kansas,
I've never taken T'ai Chi, always wanted to. Even got a video once . . . didn't help. Now, from the other posts, maybe I won't. Maybe instead, I'll try more climbing like Donnalynn (my daughter is an avid rock climber and I've gone up a few times with moderate success for a beginner). But I didn't post here to tell you all that. I posted here to suggest you go to this following link:

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=8379.0

I've never been to Leavenworth but I see on Google Maps that you have a couple of lakes that may not be too distant (Lake Stellamaris and what appears to be maybe a reservoir? ) not to mention lots of smaller bodies of water. I don't know if that's any help, but if you like water like my wife does, this could be irresistible.

Mark

[moe]

I don't want to be an old person falling over, using a cane, etc.....(sorry if I offended anyone here )

Oops! So glad you are staying fit, Kansas! Use that cane when you have to Sounds like you are doing great. Keep moving
Maureen
Some day I'll try wall climibing...

[Kansas]

What a success story, 6 Pick!  It sounds as if you're in better shape than before your surgery!   I think I'll try Wii instead, though.  Kansas

[Kansas]

Mark, you are doing great on that paddle board.  You might read my new post: "T'ai Chi Chih."  I doubt if many peope read it, because Tai Chi has been well discussed.  But if you are interested...Kansas

[6pick]

Mark, you are doing great on that paddle board.  You might read my new post: "T'ai Chi Chih."  I doubt if many peope read it, because Tai Chi has been well discussed.  But if you are interested...Kansas

What a success story, 6 Pick!  It sounds as if you're in better shape than before your surgery!   I think I'll try Wii instead, though.  Kansas

Oh, gosh Kansas, I've been remiss in not checking in to this thread for so many days. That's not me on the paddle board, that's Bob (stoneaxe), although I plan to give it a try. My wife loves to kayak and I'm just ok with it. Not enough for me to sit in a boat and paddle. But to stand on a paddle board working on staying on the paddle board might be a bit more challenging and good for my balance and overall core. I'm game.