Well, a state that would elect Howard Dean is something to crow about, it seems to me!
I lied about the soy lecithin--Moctezuma chocolate has it too. But also real chocolate.
Cat--Faye Li Yip has Youtube videos about Qigong relaxation etc. done while seated. Betcha that would do the trick; it is what I have been doing to prepare for Tai Chi. Each day I have been adding something new; the past two days I have been doing standing exercises that reach the legs, which parts of my anatomy are now a bit sore--but that will pass. I will locate links and post them here shortly.
Cat--here are some videos. Some of the ones shown standing can be done seated. I picked and chose depending on what seemed OK and easy, and it helped unbelievably. For instance, I had been unable to pick something up off the floor without supporting myself with one hand on something fixed while I knelt down in two steps. After only three days I didn't need that. Full-blown T'ai Chi is not necessary, although it certainly doesn't do any harm. --Alan
Cat-- if the videos are difficult, send me a note at abarbour (at) lightspeed.net and I will send you a typed narration--that's easy, the videos are not complicated.
listener--absent classes, I am happy with my decision to start with the Qigong-type stretching exercises demonstrated on YouTube by Faye Li Yip. After that it is on to Paul Lam's "T'ai Chi for Arthritis," then on to something more. I'd say Lam's first DVD set would probably be good to have for home study even if you have classes, but it wouldn't be a must-have. At a discount and with classes free, it's not at all an unreasonable price.
Here are Dr. Lam's various DVD's. [Click] The T'ai Chi for arthritis ones (there are two) are Sun Style; there is also a 73-step Sun Style DVD. There are free samples, the first class of each. His other DVD's are various other types of T'ai Chi which are less well adapted to physically challenged folk.
Sun Style DVD's from the UK [Click] 38-step and 97-step versions, less accommodating for the physically challenged and to slow learners than the above, but probably my next step--I have the 38-step version. DVD prices are reasonable. Comparison with Lam's first DVD shows they correspond reasonably well.
Grrrr…. bloodspot ate my post TWICE. Now typing in a text editor. Maybe rebooting the modem will help.
My pleasure, Cat; the improvement has been mind-boggling for something so seemingly minor--starting at maybe five minutes on Monday and working up to maybe ten minutes by Saturday. Dr. Lam's caution not to go beyond one's range of comfort is well taken; he suggests visualizing going further if one's range of motion is limited. The exercises prescribed for me by the physical therapists led me to injure myself, which put me off the whole idea. This past two mornings I realized that I had also slept better--I wasn't stiff and sore when I awoke in the morning. I wonder if my hands and arms have improved because of it, but that isn't clear.
Alan, my instructor has said two things that may be of interest to you.
1.) When you do the Sun form there is one place where you bring your hands toward your face and you lean back your neck (imagine the way a goose would pull back it's neck slightly). Doing that movement often results in a slightly sore neck at first. I agree.
2.) Dr. Lam's second DVD is not as good as his first. She feels his first DVD has much better focus than the second.
I recall my fencing master telling us in the beginning that we were going to have some really sore muscles in our knees for a while, because certain muscles there that fencers use are like tissue paper in normal people. Yep. And we got over it.
The comment on Dr. Lam's second DVD (probably the third, actually, since "Tai Chi For Arthritis" has two discs in one case) is interesting and I will bear it in mind. The Sun teacher in Washington suggested Tim Cartmell's book and DVD's, but they are expensive.
No, I know the birds Alan's thinking about, and they're NOT grackles. I'd always been told they were starlings, but knew they were wrong when I heard the first actual description of the bird.
Starlings have an unusual bill that springs open to grip prey or pry plants apart. Starlings only molt once a year (after breeding) but the spots that show up in the winter wear off by the spring, making them look glossy black. In Starlings, the length of the intestinal tract actually varies depending on the season. It is shorter in the summertime (when birds are mainly eating protein-rich) insect foods and larger in wintertime when they are mainly eating seeds, which are rich in carboy hydrates. (Source: Analysis of Vertebrate Structure, Hildebrand and Goslow)
Identification: Juvenile European Starling. Almost looks like a different species. Photo by Wendell Long
Adult starlings are about the size of a chunky Robin. They have glossy black plumage with an irridescent green/purple sheen, a SHORT, squared tail (vs. the long tail of a grackle) and a triangular shape in flight, black eyes (Common Blackbirds have a yellow eye ring), and a long pointy, bill (unlike North American blackbirds) that is yellow during breeding season (January to June) and dark at other times.
Well, a state that would elect Howard Dean is something to crow about, it seems to me!
ReplyDeleteI lied about the soy lecithin--Moctezuma chocolate has it too. But also real chocolate.
Cat--Faye Li Yip has Youtube videos about Qigong relaxation etc. done while seated. Betcha that would do the trick; it is what I have been doing to prepare for Tai Chi. Each day I have been adding something new; the past two days I have been doing standing exercises that reach the legs, which parts of my anatomy are now a bit sore--but that will pass. I will locate links and post them here shortly.
--alan
Cat--here are some videos. Some of the ones shown standing can be done seated. I picked and chose depending on what seemed OK and easy, and it helped unbelievably. For instance, I had been unable to pick something up off the floor without supporting myself with one hand on something fixed while I knelt down in two steps. After only three days I didn't need that. Full-blown T'ai Chi is not necessary, although it certainly doesn't do any harm. --Alan
ReplyDeleteTitle [Click]
Title [Click]
Title [Click]
--Alan
Cat-- if the videos are difficult, send me a note at abarbour (at) lightspeed.net and I will send you a typed narration--that's easy, the videos are not complicated.
Delete---Alan
listener--absent classes, I am happy with my decision to start with the Qigong-type stretching exercises demonstrated on YouTube by Faye Li Yip. After that it is on to Paul Lam's "T'ai Chi for Arthritis," then on to something more. I'd say Lam's first DVD set would probably be good to have for home study even if you have classes, but it wouldn't be a must-have. At a discount and with classes free, it's not at all an unreasonable price.
ReplyDeleteHere are Dr. Lam's various DVD's. [Click] The T'ai Chi for arthritis ones (there are two) are Sun Style; there is also a 73-step Sun Style DVD. There are free samples, the first class of each. His other DVD's are various other types of T'ai Chi which are less well adapted to physically challenged folk.
Sun Style DVD's from the UK [Click] 38-step and 97-step versions, less accommodating for the physically challenged and to slow learners than the above, but probably my next step--I have the 38-step version. DVD prices are reasonable. Comparison with Lam's first DVD shows they correspond reasonably well.
Info on Sun Style T'ai Chi [Click]
More info [Click]
P.S.: The Moctezuma hot chocolate was REALLY good; just the thing for a cold, gray day. I am thinking I will have a second cup.
--Alan
Thanks so much, Alan, for the links and for the offer of assistance!
DeleteA second cup of hot chocolate is always a good idear, especially when said hot chocolate is really tasty.
Grrrr…. bloodspot ate my post TWICE. Now typing in a text editor. Maybe rebooting the modem will help.
DeleteMy pleasure, Cat; the improvement has been mind-boggling for something so seemingly minor--starting at maybe five minutes on Monday and working up to maybe ten minutes by Saturday. Dr. Lam's caution not to go beyond one's range of comfort is well taken; he suggests visualizing going further if one's range of motion is limited. The exercises prescribed for me by the physical therapists led me to injure myself, which put me off the whole idea. This past two mornings I realized that I had also slept better--I wasn't stiff and sore when I awoke in the morning. I wonder if my hands and arms have improved because of it, but that isn't clear.
--Alan
Alan, my instructor has said two things that may be of interest to you.
ReplyDelete1.) When you do the Sun form there is one place where you bring your hands toward your face and you lean back your neck (imagine the way a goose would pull back it's neck slightly). Doing that movement often results in a slightly sore neck at first. I agree.
2.) Dr. Lam's second DVD is not as good as his first. She feels his first DVD has much better focus than the second.
I recall my fencing master telling us in the beginning that we were going to have some really sore muscles in our knees for a while, because certain muscles there that fencers use are like tissue paper in normal people. Yep. And we got over it.
DeleteThe comment on Dr. Lam's second DVD (probably the third, actually, since "Tai Chi For Arthritis" has two discs in one case) is interesting and I will bear it in mind. The Sun teacher in Washington suggested Tim Cartmell's book and DVD's, but they are expensive.
--Alan
Is a new social model developing? [Click] Truly fascinating!
ReplyDelete--Alan
Yes, fascinating and wonderful! Thank you so much for that link, Alan!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Listener. I always like to double check.
ReplyDeleteWe're up to 3/4" of snow so far and it's coming down fast.
ReplyDeleteNo, I know the birds Alan's thinking about, and they're NOT grackles. I'd always been told they were starlings, but knew they were wrong when I heard the first actual description of the bird.
ReplyDeleteoh, wait! Maybe they were:
DeleteStarlings have an unusual bill that springs open to grip prey or pry plants apart.
Starlings only molt once a year (after breeding) but the spots that show up in the winter wear off by the spring, making them look glossy black.
In Starlings, the length of the intestinal tract actually varies depending on the season. It is shorter in the summertime (when birds are mainly eating protein-rich) insect foods and larger in wintertime when they are mainly eating seeds, which are rich in carboy hydrates. (Source: Analysis of Vertebrate Structure, Hildebrand and Goslow)
Identification:
Juvenile European Starling. Almost looks like a different species. Photo by Wendell Long
Adult starlings are about the size of a chunky Robin. They have glossy black plumage with an irridescent green/purple sheen, a SHORT, squared tail (vs. the long tail of a grackle) and a triangular shape in flight, black eyes (Common Blackbirds have a yellow eye ring), and a long pointy, bill (unlike North American blackbirds) that is yellow during breeding season (January to June) and dark at other times.