Tai Chi and Arthritis | Arthritis Information

Hi all,

I ordered a DVD call "Tai Chi for arthritis" and I really love it. It is produced by a family doctor in Australia and I am just starting. My arthritis water class is only offered during the work day, so I won't be able to continue once I go back and start teaching.

Any one else do this?
Hi, Mary wht a wonderful idea. I'm always looking for something for exercising so this looks good to me. Thanks. LyndaI just joined a health club and I'm going to start Tai Chi classes. I was working out yesterday and a class was going on in another room so I watched for a minute. The movements were slow and fluid and the women were balancing on one leg, something I'm going to have to work on. It looked peaceful.Yes, I did Tai Chi and am looking forward to getting back into it. I didn't do the Tai Chi for arthritis. Where did you find the DVD please? I would love to find one geared for arthritis. I was amazed that Tai Chi actually did give me a work out. It didn't feel like it when I was doing it but after I could tell. Not that it hurt because it didn't. I could just feel muscles that I haven't used in a while. Let me know how it goes for you.Hello all,

I originally saw an article by Dr. Lam on the "arthritis foundation" web site.

http://ww2.arthritis.org/resources/arthritistoday/2000_archi ves/2000_07_08_taichi.asp

I then ordered the DVD and book from Dr. Lam's website.

http://www.taichiforarthritis.com/

I will still try to walk each day, but this is great for stretching and breathing. I need help with relaxing and I think this will help. School starts in about a week and I am dreading trying to work full time and take 2 classes in the evenings myself. I can barely make it through the day as it is now.

How did you like the water classes.

I have thought about cheking into them to get my self doing something other than work. (Sitting at the computer and checking on the employees I supervise.)

Jay

I loved the water classes. I felt that I actually got a good workout doing the water workout. I went to the arthritis foundation website and then it directed me to my local office. Here is a link to find your local office.

http://ww2.arthritis.org/communities/Chapters/ChapDirectory. asp

I live in a fairly rural area and was able to find one. Unfortunately, that darn job I have is getting in the way. I LOVE the water classes. I especially love the POOLLATTES!! Gosh I feel as if my stomach is going to hurt forever, but it is great.Lam is good. I want to get that DVD too. In Australia, there are Tai Chi for Arthritis classes. I plan to do one when I can, there is one held locally.

I have also done something called Wu Tao which has been good for my RA. It is a bit like a dancing tai chi based on ballet and chinese medicine. Again it is an Australian thing. I found my posture improved a lot with Wu Tao. There is a website if you Google it.
i have been doing paul lams tai chi for arthritis now for 4 years and i absolutely love it. when i first started i could only walk with a frame now i only use a stick occasionally. my teacher picks me up from my house every tues morning for tai chi. she has done the training with paul lam himself.Go Ally, that is great progress.

I had heard it was good. I have one of Lam's books out of the library at the moment too. I read anything that may be helpful, even if you pick up one idea, it 's worth it. . It has the tai chi in the back but I think it would be easier to learn from a class or DVD.

Nice your teacher picks you up, sweetie.

I did a 10 week course with my SIL. We had to be separated in the class. You could always guarantee that when the whole class would be doing a slow turn one way she was doing it the opposite direction meaning she'd be facing me and we'd get the giggles, and trying not to giggle in a quiet class just made the giggles worse. One week, we took ourselves outside... and laughed till we had tears coming down our faces.... soooooo immature!

The lessons were fun but my knees swelled (I've dodgy knees from competitve swimming) and possibly RA but didnt know it then. Is it very different from normal tai chi?

I found out that here in Washington state training is being offered for Tai Chi for arthritis. I am not sure how this is different from regular tai chi, but he has DVD for people in wheel chairs, with low back pain and diabetes. I assume they are geared for each illness.

Sounds great! I've been looking for a good tai chi class. I currently do yoga at home but would like to try a class once a week and thought tai chi would be a lot of fun.

Alan