I went to tai chi class on Friday and I've had a briliant weekend. Not sure if it was really connected but I enjoyed my exercise session so much that I've started practising it at home in between classes.

Basically it's a series of gentle movements and slow stretching postures, but the best bit is that it's all standing up with no getting down on the floor. I'm not keen on any exercise that involves getting down because I can't get back up, so yoga is a struggle for me and pilates is currently a no-no!!!!

We did an especially intense form of tai chi walking- sounds silly I know, and it must've looked funny with all of us ladies (most of advanced years), carefully lifting each foot and slowly and deliberately placing it down, heel-first and then gently shifting weight forward ready to lft the other foot and so on progressing in a tight circle one behind the other. Who would have thought it needed so much attention just to walk - but we had to focus on moving in a very specific way and using all our muscles to balance, so attention was essential - if you giggled or looked at anybody else then you'd wobble in a most undignified manner !!!

Just wondered if anybody else has any experience of tai chi - this class is promoted by a local GP practice and I think they may subsidise it a bit, so obviously the NHS think it's a good form exercise

Sylvia xx

Syliva

That sounds very interesting. I need to do some sort of exercise and now I am off to see if there are any classes in Shropshire. Thanks.

Jackie
xx

Hi there. Great to get feedback about tai chi.

I'm reading 'rheumatoid arthritis a self help guide to getting
On with your life' by Jasmine Jenkins. She recommends relaxation
techniques, yoga and tai chi. I too didn't fancy the getting
up from the floor of yoga, so was about to try and find a relaxation CD
and a local tai chi class.

Thanks Sylvia for the link in your message for Shropshire
classes. There are two I'll email now for more info. Thank
you!!!

Very best wishes,
Lottie

Hi Lottie and Jen - I'm so pleased that you like the idea - maybe we can get a "virtual" tai chi class just for us RA's

Tai chi union for gt britain - Essex

I had a quick flick through the descriptions, and you'd want to steer clear of push hands and anything to do with weapons - tai chi is a martial art and can be practised quite vigorously!!!!

I do qigong (pronunced chi gong), which is stretching movement and breathing; silk reeling (nothing to do with silk just a metaphor!!); 11 short form; 8 pieces of brocade (great names aren't they?) and my favorite is 5 Animals where I pretend to be a tiger, a deer; a monkey, then a bear and finally a bird (graceful, when I don't wobble~!!)

I'll be off to class again tomorrow - let me know how you get on - Sylvia xx

Hi Jen,
Yes it's a good little book. I'm about half way through it. The author has had RA for some time and became an OCcupational therapist after being referred to one for her RA. It gives very positive general advice from an OT (and person with RA) point of view.

Good luck with the tai chi.

Best wishes
Lottie

Talking of Tai Chi ....

I have got a DVD entitled "Seated Tai Chi for Arthritis" by Dr Paul Lam. It's described as a safe and easy to learn programme to relieve pain, improve health and quality of life and comprises six lessons. Whilst aimed at arthritis per se, rather than Rheumatoid, I reckon it will be as equally valuable for both conditions.

I actually got it as I thought it would provide a good exercise programme that I could actually do with the heart problem. I'm not yet allowed to start any exercise yet, seated or otherwise, as the problems aren't stabilised but I've had a look through and it seems really good. So for anyone beginning Tai Chi perhaps a good starting point. Roll on September when hopefully I can make a start!

Lyn x