First look of The Method Tai Chi 7/10/04

Borders is my favorite store (that will be another entry) and I found a DVD that claims to have rear view presentation. Previously I have read that it is impossible to learn Tai Chi from video, probably on Amazon review somewhere, so I almost bought Beginning DVD. They had Intermediate version. Although I was in a shopping mood, I managed to constrain myself and just wrote down the web address and the title and came home. The reason is that I thought they could have 2 DVD's set for both levels. Sure enough, they did from the company site and Amazon site had it for cheaper. With super shipping deal, I was quite pleased to order The Method Tai Chi (2 Pack DVD Box Set)

Beginning level is covering 20 short forms and Intermediate is covering the rest of 40. In Tom's class, we do long form, so I was expecting short forms will be short and we do SHORT forms. I was imagining kind of like what Tom does; repeating certain move many times, presenting arms and legs separately at times. In this DVD, there are several sections, but looks like it is one long thing! URGH. I don't understand what is long and short!

About rear view deal... First the main instructor demonstrates facing me. Then two ladies join and they are showing rear view while main instructor facing me. For some reason, last practice, all three of them showing rear view. At the beginning, the main instructor demonstrates the whole thing facing me, so I guess they can all complement. After all, I think having mirrors in the gym class, Tom showing rear view, is not a bad idea. And when we do long form, Tom moves to three different locations. Mirrors really help.

Overall, my first impression of the DVD is... it looks rather difficult. But I guess if I do this many times, it should get easier, right? Another thing I noticed was that the lady never said when to inhale and exhale. Tom said that it is an important part you want to make sure it is covered. Well, let's see how this goes...

Time for workout 7/9/04

Because I work at home and teach at night, except Fridays this semester, working out in the morning has been an easy option for me. Teaching a Friday morning class (8:30-12:50!) made me think about what would be like to arrange a time for workout if I had a day job.

What happens on Fridays is that I finish my class at 12:50, go back to my small corner in the cubicle, dump some stuff in my humble single drawer of file cabinet, greet and talk to staff (whom I like), pack my car with teaching stuff (teaching two classes with the same level is nice, but it means a lot of transporting, too), drive off, check my PO Box, come home, catch up with the dog with the day's events and eat something. Then I finally get to the gym and work out. Before I know it, it is 5pm and it is time for dinner for the dog and me and time to watch my TV programs in Spanish. The day is OVER! That is a good scenario, actually. What happened actually was that after I eat something, I get preoccupied with something or just simply get lazy and SKIP THE WORKOUT!

Today I happened to wake up around 4am and got into the gym a little after 4:30. I did almost everything I wanted and got out of the gym around 6:30. So I have all my afternoon for catching up with email, work, telephoning and walking the dog! My gym is open until midnight on weekdays, but I can't imagine myself working out in the evening. I have been swimming in the past, but my energy is not simply there. Working out in the afternoon is OK, but something just doesn't feel right. I go to night yoga classes and I read somewhere that yoga practice at night doesn't prevent from sleeping, but other workout could. I think that happened when I swam at night. I am a basic morning person to start with, but I definitely like to work out first thing in the morning to get my day going.

On Elliptical machine 7/8/04

For cardio, I like using Elliptical machine. For some reason, I am not coordinated enough to do one with arms, so I use old type at my regular gym and newer one in Riverside. I know I should be on treadmill and running, but so far I stick with Elliptical because it is easy on my knees. When I was in my 20's, I did a lot of aerobics and hurt my knees. I have been extra careful about knees although it is not like I had a surgery or injury. (Another reason I appreciate Tai-Chi here.)

I double cardio exercise as warm-up for weight training, so I usually stay for 30 minutes, maximum time they say we are allowed to be on if someone is waiting. Even if I get a machine that I can watch CNN and FOX side by side, 30 minutes is a long time. Observing people on the floor is helpful and fun, but not for 30 minutes everyday. A fellow workout lady, who often ends up using next machine, carries about three fashion magazines and flips pages right through. I thought I could end up paying more money for magazines than gym membership fee, so I took advantage of magazine offer from US Airways mileage program. I used to use them in the East Coast, but they don't fly around here. I had enough mileage to subscribe Time, Health and Wired magazines. I also started to read Yoga Journal. Wired magazine is a little beyond me and their print is rather small, so I don't read anymore, but keeping up with regular subscription has been tough. Before I know it, the next issue of Time arrives in my PO Box. Not knowing that is the case, I asked for subscription for Shape en español. That still hasn't started. When I read in Spanish, I don't consider it for fun, but for studying, so I read every page on every sentence including ads. What I really want to read is People en español. I am working on Selecciones (Reader's Digest in Spanish) from March(!), but Time didn't come this week. Maybe I should pick up a copy of People en español?

Tom's Tai-Chi class 7/7/04

I have been in Tom's class for a few weeks now and I really enjoy it. Tom is really helpful and a good-natured guy. Probably that promotes the atmosphere where people are friendly. That is actually the only class in which I talk with people. The other day, I caught two ladies speaking in Japanese, so I started to speak in Japanese with them. One said that she thought I was from Hawaii. URGH. Well, that is besides the point of today's entry.

Today there were a bunch of new people and even an observer. Defined basically says there is no observation allowed. If you want to come, you have to participate. I guess Tom said it was OK. She watched us for 30 minutes or so and left. Tai-Chi must be getting popularity in the desert! I realized today, basically Tom is teaching "Integrated Tai-Chi Class". I refer to it that way because sometimes I get assigned to an "ESL Integrated" class. It means for everybody with all kinds of skills. This is hard both on students and the teacher and to say the least, it is not the most efficient and effective way to learn. Really not knowing who comes to class (although students do have to register) makes planning difficult and it can be a headache until I get used to at the beginning of the semester. Thinking of that, Tom always handles it well with plenty of flexibility!

His classes are never the same, but there seem to be some routines. Knee rotation, hip rotation, shoulders rotation for warm-up seem staple. Eventually what he works toward is to learn Yang long form that comes in three sections. I would assume if you do it slowly and properly, it would take more than 30 minutes to complete. He breaks down small pieces and works on them one arm one leg at a time. To me, at least the first section looks FAMILIAR now. I am far away from practicing alone! He also does Power Tai-Chi. He asks us to pick up hand weights (I pick 3 pounds when I feel ambitious. Today I did 2.) for more toning. This is a good idea because it teaches you to relax the shoulders and the wrists and control the movement. I don't think I can go to his class regularly once the fall semester starts, but I keep going anytime I can...

After holiday confusion and some answers 7/6/04

Today, in Debbie's class, a really cheerful woman showed up and started to converse with Debbie. I didn't remember her, but Debbie greeted by her first name. She thought she was coming to a Ball and Bends class. Debbie even got confused because she teaches so many classes! She thought it was Monday! I am not blaming her through. I showed up her Ball and Bends class for the first time and asked, "Oh, this is not Flexibility? Oops, the class is Tuesday and Thursday." Besides I drove to my gym this morning and told myself, I had to go to TVI instead. Well, this cheerful lady stayed whole time with another strength training with us!

The answer to my 7/2 entry about what class to take for the fall semester... I wondered if it is OK to miss 2 classes a month. I am expecting another crazy fall semester. She said OK, as long as I let her know. YEY. So I am going to stick with Debbie for another round of Flexibility training! Classes are shorter for 50 minutes, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It starts at 8am, so I should eat light breakfast, finish reading morning increment of email before I leave, hit the gym first, do at least cardio at the gym, then go to the class.

The answer to my 6/21 question about characters for Tai-chi. I am starting to read The Complete Idiot's Guide to T'ai Chi (I wish they had a better name...) and they have little windows "Know your Chinese". One said T'ai Chi Ch'uan or Taijiquan means "supreme ultimate fist". This fits 太極拳. Qi, life energy that Tom often refers to, must be 氣　(I am surprised to have this character in my IME!) and that is part of QiGong. So T'ai Chi must not be 泰氣 as this guy's T-shirt said. In case you don't know Japanese, Japanese uses Chinese characters. Getting used to how English deals with Chinese names have been a problem for me because in Japanese, Chinese names often show up in original characters, even they are a little off and not used in modern Japanese character set. English interpretation of Chinese pronunciation and Japanese interpretation are often different and therefore, sometimes I just want to scream, "Just show me the characters!"

Rest 7/5/04

You can probably say that one of my personality traits is "intense". I also call myself black-or-white person. If I am determined to do something, I do it in full force. So when I pay for the gym, I try to go there everyday. OK, I must admit I am cheap, too. If I pay the same money, why not go as much as I can!

Although this was a good idea for swimming and yoga when I started a year ago, it is not good for weight training. I was doing upper and lower splits until Mary-Beth suggested three ways. 1) Chest, Shoulders, Triceps 2) Legs 3) Back and Biceps. This means I should be really taking a rest between 3) and 1). Yesterday was 3) and I am still feeling it on my upper body. The whole nation is still in holiday cheer and I feel like it is OK not to intensely work, but I can spend time enjoying working out. URGH. I should probably just stick with cardio, Tom's Tai-chi and Will's yoga. Debbie told us we were going to do another round of weight training routines on Tuesday. That covered all sorts of muscles.

People at blogger.com must be reading my content. They put some weight training related ads, so I happened to follow one today. I came across Overtraining article and I thought, oh, that must be the sign. Maybe time to spend a little time with my dog this morning...

One year 7/4/04

I don't remember the exact date, but 4th of July weekend marks my first year anniversary with my gym. About a year ago, I got a restraining order against very-soon-to-be-ex husband and realized that I am all alone here in this country without any family. I realized I had to take a very good care of myself. I enjoy exercising enough to be writing a blog, but exercise is not something I do because I sound cool, not because I feel good, but I really HAVE TO! I have been a non-athlete and overweight as long as I have any memory about my life. Moving to the US didn't help either. When I first visited in 1986, I could wear size M, but I can assure you that I am no longer Medium!

I am a couple of years short for 40, but Fit Over 40 For Dummies did give me a plenty of reasons to motivate in exercises. Aside from those generic description, I went to Health Fair in January and two tests (not one) confirmed that I am in the beginning stage of osteoporosis. Now I recall my grandmother fractured her bones, but my mother didn't want an operation because she was just too old. That is part of why I am almost obsessive about weight training. I have been told I have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high everything! The only thing I cleared was blood sugar level. The same soon-to-be-ex was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, so I had to do a lot of learning about that. I went through blood exam in April and my blood pressure was lowest I could remember for several years. My cholesterol was coming down. I learned that after comparing the results from years ago. From those figures and from the way the monthly matter goes, I feel like I am back just about when I first I moved here in 1995.