Tai Chi

My local authority provides free classes for over 50s as part of a Falls Prevention campaign. We have new people joining the class quite frequently and are so lucky to have a calm, friendly instructor who makes everyone feel welcome and encourages us without criticism. When I joined I was feeling very low, had poor balance and was in physical pain. Three years later I am so glad I plucked up courage to walk through the door. I feel much better and happier even on days when I'm still in pain.

Hello, I started this thread last year. The instructor is really seriously well qualified. I have no doubt about that. He's a nice chap and is just naturally very friendly. However, I have to confess that I've given up on it. . No excuse- I just found it too booooooring! I know that's bad of me but I decided that its my life and this is one of those things I don't actually have to do so I stopped going! Its a bit embarrassing when I meet the instructor on his way in and my way out but I'm a big girl and I just smile nicely and walk on. Sorry everyone!

I'd love to do it, but found it very hard. And indeed I lacked the patience - drove me mad....

It's been my experience that classes in yoga and Pilates held in leisure centres or sports clubs are often run by general fitness instructors who have done a short course in what are very specialist subjects and don't understand them properly. Your Tai Chi instructor may be one of those Jane10, so I would agree with others that it may be worth looking for a specialist teacher.

I'm dong yoga for many years now and I'm also very interested in learning Tai-Chi and heard amazing things about it. This thread made me more interesting to learn it. I think I will start with getting Angus Clark's DVD. Thanks for the suggestion.

Rosiebee, the best dvd I've ever come across is by Angus Clark, it's just called Tai Chi and its available on Amazon at a reasonable price. He is a well known, excellent teacher and the dvd is split into sections and shows front and back views.

Different teachers teach tai chi differently and there are different styles and lineages. Position is important but that comes later. You need to find a class and a teacher you like. It's not easy and the learning process includes frustration and learning to be patient. The Eastern way is to see it as a life interest, not something which takes only a few minutes and is done occasionally.

I have been learning tai chi for the past six years, and can only say that I have found it to be a most wonderful form of relaxation and exercise.I must be lucky as I have joined a group of mostly ladies all of whom are a delight to be with, our teacher endevours to teach us the correct moves but understands we are not perfect and as long as we try to get the moves right she is happy. We also take part in social events and we to sa sponsored walk for charity once a year. My mobility has improved and so has my balance, I would recommend tai chi to anyone.

It may be worth checking out your local Age Concern Centres. As well as providing Day Care Services, many of them also run a range of Wellbeing classes aimed at the Over 50's.

That's where I go for Tai Chi and it's tailored for that age group, with no expectation of precision or perfection. I love it

I thought this one looked intriguing rosiebee. I have always wanted to do tai chi too.

www.acorndvd.com/dvd/tai-chi-for-beginners-with-grandmaster-william-chen.html?gclid=CMiUlN7YosMCFQjLtAodTE4AkA#fo_c=621&fo_k=17448c88dc7e60740b1207a79fbb8ffe&fo_s=gplauk&fo_oid=331

osteoporenia is a milder version of osteoporosis NotTooOld. It doesn't need treatment so I am now on a drug holiday. Osteoporosis isn't painful when it first starts only when bones become brittle and fracture easily. I was lucky my mum has it so I asked to be tested soon after the menopause and had the scans. I was in the very early stages and was put on medication. There are so many people who don't get diagnosed until the have a fracture. My mum found she had it in her 70s, she is now 92, she has lost 4 inches in height and has several crumbling vertebrae which are very painful. Anyone who thinks they might have it should ask to be tested

I also think you should change your class. I went to lessons for several months and nobody spoke during the classes. However the teacher was very highly trained and too much of a perfectionist for me and I gave up and returned to yoga.

What's osteoporenia, trisher? It sounds as painful as osteoporosis.

Jane10 you seem to have had a really bad experience. I've been to 2 Tai Chi classes. The one I go to now is ideal. The teacher is very understanding and doesn't push or criticise anyone. There are quite a few people in my class who have arthritis and they say it really helps. The class should be about relaxation and movement you can manage. The basic exercises are sometimes called Qi -Gong, or Gi-Gong. These are sometimes given as separate classes, so if you are looking for classes it is worth looking for these as well. Tai Chi Form is the series of movements most people recognise. It takes ages to learn and most people can only get a few movements right at first. It has taken me years and I still don't know it properly! I think it is so valuable. It keeps me mobile, improves my balance and has helped to improve my osteoporosis so much it is now osteoporenia

Can anyone recommend a dvd for beginners? I've looked on Amazon and could not decide which one to buy. There seemed to be a lot of different forms of Tai-Chi. It doesn't have to be available on Amazon, just that I had a voucher. I know classes are better but our local one is on a Friday lunchtime which isn't a good time for me. I did a short course many years ago which I enjoyed but the teacher had to pull out and there was no-one to take his place.

I too miss Tai-Chi enormously. When I first started, I had to miss a few lessons due to travelling to help my very elderly parents- and I remember actually being in tears due to the frustration. So I'd say keep at it- but try hard not to miss lessons, as it will really throw you. Due to these absences, it took me much longer to achieve the form- but I got there and so wish I could still remember it- but on my own, after a long gap, I find I am totally unable to do so and I really regret it. Reminds me to write to the group and offer to host someone for a free hol here in exchange for going over the form again. Will do it after Christmas.

Our lessons were split, with Gi-Gong in part one- and that was really great. It really helps with posture, balance, circulation, joints, mind, heart and soul, and brilliant for your memory too- but the instructor makes a huge difference. I did join a group in nearby France, but she is very young and fit, and does not have the experience to adjust moves for older people or those with joint problems- so gave up.

We used to just concentrate on getting the moves to start with. Co-ordinating that is hard enough. And then perfecting each move within your own capabilities. The European methods aren't like the Eastern ones which also vary considerably from one area to another. We went to China on holiday and our guide demonstrated the level he was at with his particular teacher. Incredible!

Tai Chi definitely improved my balance and co-ordination - if not my memory.

Thank you for reminding me how much I enjoyed it - I'll have to look out for a class around here.

I tried it but the teacher insisted on perfect placement for each move rather than just doing it. So I left. Watched it being done in the Far East and there are variations between people so precise positioning is not essential. Find a class you are happy with. I wish I could.

It doesn't sound like a very good class to me. I used to do it but had to give up when we moved. Yes, there was a lot of chat at the beginning and end of the class but in between absolute absorbed concentration. It lifted my mind from the problems of the day as while thinking of each part of my body and how it was moving I found it impossible to worry about anything else. A complete mental break.

I would recommend you find another class, a beginners perhaps?

I loved it and still due much of it at home although without a teacher to follow I know several moves have evaporated from my memory.

I went to a class that was run by a friend of mine and was surprised at how complicated it was. Not helped by the fact that my coordination is pretty bad at the best of times. I too would like to persevere with it, but the group had been doing it for several years and I felt that I was holding them back. I've been meaning to buy a dvd to see if I can learn it at home. The only move I can remember is the one where you pat yourself on the stomach . People didn't talk during the class I went to; that sounds very odd.