turning Japanese Chinese

Macmillan is a wonderful charity that provides care and after care for cancer sufferers.  When I was in hospital their (very patient) physiotherapists helped me out of my bed and onto my feet and one of their nurses eased my worries with mindful meditation which was incredibly relaxing and worthwhile.

But they don’t only provide their services for in patients, and today I started a 12 week course of……..tai chi!

Now I’ve seen tai chi on the television.  Healthy looking people in their local park performing what seem like perfectly choreographed graceful movements.  One thing it doesn’t look is, erm, in any way strenuous.  Perfect then you would think for someone like me who is largely sedentary (not through choice you understand)?

Yes and no.

I was fine going through the moves, which included “the waterfall”, “swimming with turtles” and “the fruit picker”.  I was allowed to sit down when it all got a little too much for my legs and back and so I felt fine.

But now?  Well I am aching to the extent that I feel like I’ve spent an hour boxing, not gracefully extending my arms, hands and fingers.

Of course, this is only week one (of a 12 week course) and I’d imagine, with perhaps a little extra practice, things will get much easier.  But I can appreciate how the Chinese who practice this art are all so fit despite their age.  An hour of this each day must do wonders without doing the damage that impact exercises can.

Whatever, I am looking forward to next week already and am now also signed up for feng shui.  It sounds a lot more arduous.