Life Changes Ahead
My life, despite not being very unhealthy, is not what I would call a beacon of good health.
I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, and I don’t take any illegal drugs. I don’t make an effort not to, I simply never enjoyed drinking or smoking, and regarding drugs, I don’t have an interest becoming a mindless zombie who only lives for her next fix. I try to eat well, and most of the time succeed. Other times, not so much. -ahem-
I do have a somewhat sedentary lifestyle. I work in software development, and my work day is passed sitting in front of a computer. I don’t exercise because I’m lazy and to be honest, if I don’t have enough interest in a certain physical activity or company, I’ll stop going.
I’ve been wanting to practice Tai Chi for ages, but never found classes is a good schedule, which I could attend after work. Recently, though, I found out there is an Association, which has a number of classes in different schedules, including – maybe – classes which are scheduled for later in the day. I said ‘maybe’ because they depend on a minimum number of participants for the classes to open, so unless 10-12 people show interest in that class, I’ll be right back at where I started.
I’ve even considered going to the other classes, on Saturday, but since I’m also considering Iaido lessons, it would be incompatible. In the end I may have to choose between those two, and am currently undecided regarding which one. I think Tai Chi is probably less ‘aggressive’ on my knee, so that’s a positive point leaning toward it.
I want to make my evenings useful and relaxing as opposed to just relaxing and doing nothing. Meaning, I’ve been thingking of (re)learning to paint with watercolours, and it would be a great chance for me to practice drawing (which I haven’t done in ages).
I’d also like to read more in the evening, instead of staring at the TV, so I’m going to start looking for a new halogen (?) lamp. One with a floor stand so I can read in the sofa without going blind. And speaking of reading, a new Portuguese fantasy/humor book has just come out – Orbias by Fábio Ventura. I’m counting on getting it today, or sometime during this weekend.
Which leads me to concluding this post with wishing you all a very nice weekend.
Many people with bad knees practice iaido, doing the forms standing instead of in seiza.
Take that into consideration
I’m still considering both options, and the Iaido classes do have the advantage of being confirmed on Saturdays (I e-mailed the responsible asking about them).
Ideally, I’d like to go to the TaiChi lesson during the week (after work) and then go to the Iaido lesson on Saturday morning. I am hoping this will be possible, but will only know for sure in October, because I am dependant on the existence of the Tai Chi schedule I want or not.
I’ve thought one or twice of taking Tai Chi, as it is supposed to be good for realiving stress, however, I’m both lazy and impatient. It looks too slow
I’d try and rush it.
Speaking of life cahnges, I recently left my job of 8 years. Too much stress & too little pay. I’ve already recieved a couple offeres and am doing a few more interviews before I decide where to place my hat (preverbial, since I don’t actually own a hat…)
If you take up TaiChi, I wish you luck. I had a friend a while back that took it and loved it. Maybe someday I’ll take the plung.. but not until spring. I hear TaiChi should be done outside and it is already getting too cold here!
I hope everything goes well in your new job (whichever you pick). A couple of years ago I made a similar change and though not everything has been a bed of roses, I didn’t regret it.
The classes I hope to be taking are in a Gym, but I think some of the more advanced classes are given in a garden. The gym, though not ideal, has the advantage of being a space good for both Summer and Winter. Since, as GRRM said, ‘Winter is coming’, I’m going for the less ideal choice so I exercise and relieve stress, both of which I really need at the moment.
I do hope to be able to have both weekly classes – one of Tai Chi and one of Iaido. But I will have to wait and see how this schedule thing goes. Meh.