Re: tai chi

[Guest guest]

Hi Andie,

I do Qigong, which is similar. Like you, I get real relief from it, and

am able to do everything. I did yoga for years, and even taught some

classes, but I had to let that go. The Qigong has been a beautiful

replacement. The principle is to improve the flow of vital energy

throughout the body through a series of simple movements.

Sierra

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I just found this group today. I am a 30 year old female and was

> diagnosed with RA at age 15. I have taken many different medications

> over the past 15 years but due to insurance problems, I am currently

> off meds. However, I started taking tai chi 6 months ago from an

> excellent instructor and have found it to be as effective as Enbrel

in

> controlling my symptoms. I have a good amount of damage in my hands

> and wrists but I am still able to do everything in the form. I had

> tried yoga but was frustrated because physical limitations prevented

> me from doing many of the moves. I wish someone had told me years

age

> about tai chi. I hope this helps someone.

[Guest guest]

I'm not at all familiar with e-bay but if I were looking for something and didn't know where to look I think I would start out by looking at ebay. God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: cat_lady20042003

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 7:40 PM

Subject: Tai chi

Where can I get some tai chi instructional tapes or DVD? I think I've heard of it, but not real sure I know what it is. I try to do some light yoga moves to help with the stiffness plus it should help with my circulation. Actually, I keep meaning to do that. I've also heard that meditation is supposed to be good. I don't know if I would go that far, but it is relaxing. Which can be a good thing.

[Guest guest]

Tai chi is an internal martial art which can be described as meditation in motion. The idea is that by completely relaxing your body and mind, you can most efficiently use someone's energy against them. In the class, we do not actually spar, but simply learn the form (a series of 42 moves), with periodic demonstrations of how the moves can be applied to help us visualize correct form. There is no fighting.

I think you could find the tapes in any bookstore or online with ebay or amazon. However, I would strongly recommend that you look for a class in your area before you try it at home. It is a gentle exercise but it is important to use correct form in order to prevent joint stress and maximize the benefit. I have been doing it for 7 months now and I am finally getting of sense of how the moves should feel. You have to learn to move without tension which can be challenging for people used to being stressed and in pain. (An understatement!) I now can tell when I'm doing the moves correctly by feel. The advantage to having a live intructor is that he can help me figure out what I am doing wrong when I am not using correct form. My classes are not inexpensive, but they are less expensive than medication and actually work with only positive side effects of more energy and flexibility and less swelling.

I found my instructor by looking in the online yellow pages for my area and calling a few places. My teacher offers the class I take and individual lessons. The classes fit my schedule and offer a social opportunity for me to interact with people of varying levels of fitness who want to take control of their bodies. For the first time in 15 years, I don't feel like my body is failing me. I hope this helps -- I wish you better health :)cat_lady20042003 <cat_lady20042003@...> wrote:

Where can I get some tai chi instructional tapes or DVD? I think I've heard of it, but not real sure I know what it is. I try to do some light yoga moves to help with the stiffness plus it should help with my circulation. Actually, I keep meaning to do that. I've also heard that meditation is supposed to be good. I don't know if I would go that far, but it is relaxing. Which can be a good thing.