Yes. I can do that. Have done that in the past. And will do it again in the future.

In a January post there was a little stealth mention of Tai Chi.

Signed on for four months of Tai Chi — There are 108 movements to learn. I figure I will need to take the class twice. I’m okay with that. The G-pup went through puppy class twice. And I’m the Alpha Pup. So… Mr. G, honey and I will be doing this together. It was this or yoga. Enough said.

So.

Basically, since the 10th of January, I have been taking twice weekly Taoist Tai Chi classes with the Mr. G, honey. We each had our reasons for doing this. Mine went something like this:

• posture, Posture, POSture, POSTURE! I have the classic writer’s posture — slumped, hunched, twisted, curved, and with my shoulders sitting at my ears. It’s not a pretty sight. I get gently reminded about my lack of posture more than once a session. Imagine a line running from the top of your head to the ceiling, Elen. Right. Not a conga line. A line straight to the ceiling. From the top of my head. Got it.
• Balance and coordination. I have good balance and would like to keep it that way. As for coordination, I don’t have any. The way I learned to dance in my teens, you didn’t need any. I’m beginning to suspect some sort of brain cell fracture, because my hands are always facing exactly the opposite direction of what is being demonstrated. Brush Knee Left. Your other left, Elen. Go Back to Ward Off Monkey right. That would be your other right. I knew that.
• I’d like to be able to touch my toes when I’m 85. Believe me when I say we have people that age in my class, and they can all touch their toes. I have hope for my spine.
• Muscle stretch and tone. If you’re going to Push Needle to Sea Bottom or Reach Up to Pat Horse, you might need some. I haven’t actually done any horse patting, because that is #36, and I’ve learned just 34 of the 108 movements.
• Memory. I’d like to retain mine for as long as I live. There is a lot of memory work. It’s true the body takes over, but you have to learn it first.

I wanted to stretch myself. Learn something knew.

Am I having fun?

Why, yes. Yes, I am.

This is a four-month introductory class. In the continuing class, my movements will become more refined. In theory. Right now, I look like the toddler taking her first steps. Pull yourself up to the table. Hang on. Oops, oops. Boom. And you’re down. Pull up again. Spread those arms out for balance and teeter, teeter. Oops, oops. Boom. And you’re down. And repeat.

Kinda like writing.

Any of you out there taking Tai Chi or some form of martial arts? Trying some new physical activity for your body this year?

Shout it out in the comments.

I leave you with this. We could all use some of this today.

I need a lobster roll in the worst way.

Elen