This is a Tai Chi morning at the Senior Center in Klipsan Beach, just a few minutes down the road from Oysterville. But, today I am many miles away — 531.46 to be exact – in Eureka, California. We are on a sort of road trip, bound for Los Angeles and a belated Christmas with son Charlie. Tonight and tomorrow night, though, we will be visiting with our friends Nan (who I’ve known since 8^th grade) and Jack in Healdsburg.
     If I were really dedicated, I would probably devote an hour or so this morning to some of the Tai Chi principals and moves I’ve begun to learn during the past few weeks. Maybe it’s because I’m so new to Tai Chi, or maybe it’s just the way I am, but I seriously doubt that I’ll be “Propping Up the Sky” or “Drawing the Bow” this morning. Probably not during the entire two weeks I’m gone.
     As much as I am loathe to admit it, I am not ‘at one’ with physical activity. Ask my friend Nan. She and I suffered through five years of Physical Education together. Counting the two obligatory years of P.E. at Stanford, I believe I spent fourteen of my formative years in various exercise and sports activities. I didn’t like them then and I don’t like them now.
     However, now that I’m approaching the three-quarters of a century mark, my osteoporosis doctor and I agree that it would be good to hedge my bets against falling. She suggested Yoga or Tai Chi. Even taking into consideration that she is young enough to be my granddaughter and is, therefore, a member of Generation X (for “exercise,” at least in my mind), I do agree with her.
     Several years ago, one of my good friends who is a decade older than I, got a DUI. Besides the embarrassment, humiliation etc. that went with it, he was mortified that he could not do the ‘simple’ walk-the-line and balancing requirements of the sobriety test. “Don’t beat yourself up about that part,” advised his attorney. “Most people over 50 can’t do those things even when they are stone, cold sober.”
     So, I think that my perky, young doctor is right. Though my flexibility is good, my balance sucks. Time to work on it! And, lucky for me, there is twice-a-week Tai Chi practically at my doorstep. The group has been welcoming, friendly, and helpful. With their encouragement and support, I don’t even feel like a complete klutz. But that doesn’t mean I enjoy it or ever will. It feels to me like that daily dose of icky syrupy vitamins I had to take as a child. I took it because it was supposed to be “good for me.” But I never did like it.
     For now though… I’m on a break.