If you do Tai Chi, how do you benefit?

I enjoyed tai chi for the way it stopped me (briefly) from ruminating, but I can’t say it had much effect on me physically. Perhaps it helped me improve my balance some.

Have you tried other anti-ruminating exercises in order to compare and contrast? I can see where you would have to focus on the ongoing movements in tai chi where with yoga you hold a posture long enough to the brain to start rushing a mile down the road.

Why are you writing? Are you now in Paris? Is it beautiful in June, as well?.

I don’t understand what you mean by ruminating, how did you ruminate?

Tai Chi is good for balance in particular. Especially as I age, I sometimes feel my balance is not as good as it used to be. Lower body strength as well, to hold the positions properly is sure to give you a muscle burn. And it is meditation in motion, there is no time for my mind to wander, too much concentration is required. I took classes years ago and they spoiled me, they were excellent with much individual attention. I have never found a class as good since and if you are not holding the positions properly, the benefit is greatly diminished.

@gailcalled Paris =iPad
Weather = Was sunny, now stormy
Jake = scrumptious

@rooeytoo ruminating = obsessive thinking

@janbb – ohhhhhh, I gotcha, I was thinking you had a digestive problem! I call it stinkin thinkin or the endless loop tape in my head!

And really if you have good teachers, it is an extremely difficult discipline, and can be very physically demanding. As I said, I took an excellent class years ago, there were about 6 sometimes more instructors to 12 to 18 students. Much individual attention. If you were not in the exact position they helped you to achieve.

@rooeytoo: I took a ten-session class and between a really needy teacher, who did a lot of audible whining and moaning and describing his life miseries and the few really needy female students, there wasn’t much air to breathe.

And he talked too soon and too much about the magical energy centers, learning about which he said was much more important than the postures, which he treated as almost a side interest.

The initial stance he wanted us to take hurt my knees, which were ten years younger than they are today.

OTOH, I took a wonderful mind-body course which taught very useful things about the breath, relaxation techniques and safe yoga stretches. Those I use regularly. While waiting in the Doc’s antechamber,for example, instead of reading magazines, I use the diaphragmatic breathing to lower my b/p.

If done properly, achieving and maintaining the various positions could be very hard on old, untrained knees. I should imagine not unlike starting ballet lessons at age 67, no way my feet are going to do what they would be asked to do!