Re: exercise

[Sid Roberts <sirobert@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sat, 12 Aug 1995, H Spence wrote:

> Hi Sid,
>
> Thank you for the very interesting post. You mentioned Tai Chi and as
> you're obviously quite knowledgeable re exercise, I'd love to hear your
> opinion on it. (Would be interested to hear any opinions on Tai Chi from
> any other List subscribers reading this post, who may know anything
> about it as it relates to Parkinson?)
>
    Please be aware that  my opinion about Tai  Chi is that of  a
person who  hates exercise  ( I  think that  looking down  at the
bottom of a page to read footnotes is a stretching exercise)  and
who is a Tai Chi dropout.

    Tai Chi has been described as old people's kung fu.  It would
be more perfectly  described as old  people's modern dance.   Tai
Chi  is  a  series  of  some  80  plus  carefully and technically
choreographed specific  moves made  in consecutive  order.   This
means that you  have to LEARN  each and every  move and put  them
together into a continuous flowing pattern.

    My wife (caregiver) and I read three books on Tai Chi, viewed
two video  tapes, signed  up for  a class  at a  local YMCA,  and
attended four sessions before throwing in the towel.

It requires concentration, hours and hours of practice,
repetition, and above all  else a good instructor who is into the
health and not the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi.  For some
reason or other I could not concentrate enough to learn the
movements, body mechanics, forms, and names of the moves ( for
example:Ward Off With Left Hand, White Crane Spreads, Step Back
to Drive the Monkey Away, Golden Pheasant Stands on Right Leg).

On the other hand, there is a philosophical, mind-over-matter
aspect to Tai Chi: a mind over body movements that is very
positive and health affirming.  It is a gentle, stretching and
balance series of moves  essential to us PD'ers.  I just couldn't
hack it; wish that I could have.  I have had to resort to less
mentally demanding physical exercises for a half hour daily and
sporadic visits to a physical therapist.

Hope I've answered your question, Helen.  Take care.
          +--------------------------------------------------+
          |  Sid Roberts              sirobert@xxxxxxxxxx    |
          |  Youngstown State         History Department     |
          |  University               Youngstown, OH 44555   |
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