Friday, September 25, 2009

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon


I just got back from my first Tai Chi class. I've been interested in learning a martial art for some time, so when my girlfriend, who has a black belt in Karate (and teaches it to children), mentioned she started Tai Chi, it was obvious that the time had come.
I loved it. I obviously didn't do that much today because it was my first class, but I could see Tai Chi as something I really would like to master.
Tai Chi is a moving meditation. You learn sequences of movements which you perfect and time to breath. That appeals to me. I've always had a tendency to gravitate to exercise routines which teach a skill rather than just move for movement's sake. Zumba is fun, but I always ask myself afterwards: "What's the point?"
And, there are apparently a lot of health benefits to practicing Tai Chi. According to Wikipedia practicing Tai Chi promotes balance, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. And, according to the calorie calculator I used, I burned 232 calories during the course of my one hour class.
My teacher taught me a sequence of three movements today which I'm supposed to practice at home, so I now have something new to do to get me off my ass and moving. Hmmm, I can see a Tai Chi break being very beneficial when I'm working.

3 comments:

  1. Yes, except for those of us with ADD. I nearly went stark raving mad in yoga. Zumba suits my limited attention span :)

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  2. Try Ashtanga yoga. It's yoga for A-type personalities. It's fast moving and harder than any other yoga you've ever tried.

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