Taking on Tai Chi

...... keeping my balance

I noticed my balance was "off" every time I visited relatives whose front stairs had no railing, so I used the kitchen door which seems more friendly anyway.

When I went to see "Nanny McPhee" (delicious fun) at the movie theatre, I arrived in the dark and groped my way to my seat. And when I went to the big karate competition to see the Tiny Tigers (5 year old's) competing for trophies, the bleachers were more than intimidating. Where was my balance?

I decided to sign up for Tai Chi at the Milano Center a.s.a.p. That would be 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. The class was in session so I sat on the sidelines and watched the rhythmic movements and graceful gestures, all unfamiliar to me.

I'm told this ancient Chinese exercise is especially good for older people who need help with circulation, flexibility, and, I hope, balance.

Rick Wong teaches the classes. He makes it look easy but my wobbly western mind, two left feet, and no clue would seem to me to be a problem. I decided to do homework but until my next class there would be no one to follow.

I went to the Melrose Library and borrowed David Carradine's "Tai Chi Workout". You remember him don't you? He was the Kung-Fu cowboy on TV in the 70's (a.k.a. Grasshopper).

He was a serious Tai Chi student in real life. David Carradine said that all the moves in Tai Chi are round and to move the hands as though "massaging a beach ball." Replaying the tape over and over, the moves seemed to flow instead of being the disjointed positions I incorrectly perceived them to be at first. I began to feel the push, pull and a smooth swimming-through-soup feeling. But my feet did not get the message.

Tai Chi Chaun is the most practiced exercise in the world and it has been around for 2,500 years. Relaxing when done correctly and without strain or stress, it can be done for one's whole life long.

I talked to some of the class members. Doreen Rosenzweig has been coming to Tai Chi classes for six years. She has M.S. and when she started she was using a walker! She told me she also takes belly dancing now. Her friend Betty Bender has also been coming for six years. She said "It's a fun way to get exercise...and you have to get exercise."

Lorraine Amerault has polymyalgia but has been doing Tai Chi for four years. I spoke to one of the gentlemen in the class, as well. Larry Palumbo told me that it's the "right kind of exercise" for him. He thought marching when he was in the service was a help.

Louise Fennell took the photographs that accompany this piece. She is a member of the Silver Stringers.

originally published April 7, 2006