Tai Chi

[a_minimalist]

agreed. hot yoga is done so that you can (allegedly) take a stretch deeper than you can at normal room temperature. However, this is only for people in really good physical condition that are already adept at yoga.

Yup, my mother went to a beginner class that did this. I was furious when I found out they let her and there even is a such thing. I have to believe it's just run by ignorant people who don't understand yoga and simply opened up a business to be trendy.

Granted, my mother is in decent shape and has always worked out. But, she had to leave because she felt like she was going to pass out. I can't support that.

 

[jobberone]

I studied some under Sensei Suenaka and its pretty combative but not as much as karate although a lot depends on the dojo. Ju jitsu is less combative generally but there's not a lot of difference. The tai ji is the way to go if you're wanting to avoid all that and you'll still get a work out. Doing yoga at the same time would be great for both.

 

[Hoofbite]

Try "hot yoga"

DeMarcus Ware said so

A buddy of mine is way into all those newfangled workout routines.

He does Crossfit and pays like $100 per month for his gym. Pretty steep.

He's also into the hot Yoga stuff.

He eats only natural stuff, which is kind of weird that some of his products that are soy-based seemingly never expire.

Needless to say, the dude is just shredded. He used to be a pretty small guy but he's built now (not like WWE built, just muscular to a very noticeable extent) and is cut too.

He's a firefighter in the summers and can crank out 5 miles with gear on his back like it's nothing.

Honestly, I hate the guy.

 

[a_minimalist]

A buddy of mine is way into all those newfangled workout routines.

He does Crossfit and pays like $100 per month for his gym. Pretty steep.

He's also into the hot Yoga stuff.

He eats only natural stuff, which is kind of weird that some of his products that are soy-based seemingly never expire.

Needless to say, the dude is just shredded. He used to be a pretty small guy but he's built now (not like WWE built, just muscular to a very noticeable extent) and is cut too.

He's a firefighter in the summers and can crank out 5 miles with gear on his back like it's nothing.

Honestly, I hate the guy.

Organic/Natural is the only way to go!

 

[MonsterD]

You can also look at Aikido.

 

[YosemiteSam]

You can also look at Aikido.

I thought about Aikido once, but then I saw the way it made Steven Seagal run and decided against it.

No really. Actually, when I took Kimpo all those years ago it was because there wasn't a place near by that taught Aikido at the time.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

I have been invovled in Tai Chi for close to two years now. i moriginally started at the suggestion of my neighbour to dela with pain management issues in my neck. I learned about mindful meditation and am still learning my sets or katas. My Sensei has described Tai Chi as martial arts done in water. She has a seventh degree black belt in Karate, has a Masters Degree in Education and is a Tai Chi Master.

I have found it to be very helpful in focus on breathing and on being more aware of my movement, general well being and my ability to concentrate on tasks at hand. Several people have made great observations about martial arts, but I would read and consider what Arglebargle, a_minimalist and Jobberone have to say about it. Do check out the dojo, the Sensei and see if you can take a class for free to see if it fits for you.

 

[jobberone]

I have been invovled in Tai Chi for close to two years now. i moriginally started at the suggestion of my neighbour to dela with pain management issues in my neck. I learned about mindful meditation and am still learning my sets or katas. My Sensei has described Tai Chi as martial arts done in water. She has a seventh degree black belt in Karate, has a Masters Degree in Education and is a Tai Chi Master.

I have found it to be very helpful in focus on breathing and on being more aware of my movement, general well being and my ability to concentrate on tasks at hand. Several people have made great observations about martial arts, but I would read and consider what Arglebargle, a_minimalist and Jobberone have to say about it. Do check out the dojo, the Sensei and see if you can take a class for free to see if it fits for you.

I will add don't wait until you get in better shape yada either. Just go and see what happens. You will definitely get into shape.

 

[Kangaroo]

Does or has anyone taken Tai Chi? I took some martial arts when I was a kid, (Kimpo) but didn't continue with it. I'm not really interested in the combative aspects of it as I am the more inner focus and physical aspects though I know they go hand and hand. Which is why I'm not so interested in Karate or similar arts) Though Kung ** might be acceptable.

No experience in Tai Chi I have a Black Belt in Aikido and some training in a kempo style Lima Lama and done a little Wing Chung.

I say go for it the key is finding a good instructor that is the hardest part when it comes to Martial Arts. There are some real quacks and wacos out there teaching. I would say look around and if there are multiple schools visit watch and a lot of times some offer free lessons.

That is the best advice I can give you.

 

[Kangaroo]

I took Tai Chi (Wu Style) years ago from a Chinese exchange student who knew his stuff. It was definitely based on combat principles, but has been adapted as a health regimen. We'd ask him about this move or that, and would get answers like; 'This is universal block. This is dodge of high blow and strike to midsection. This breaks arm.' But also, 'This is just very pretty.'

Tai Chi's major principles focus on energy and movement. Your partner or opponent moves forward, you move back. They pull back, you move forward. The slow motion of practice requires some discipline to go through the forms at a consistent speed. It's considered a good exercise for your internal organs, and a good exercise that can be done at all ages. It's not nearly as easy as it looks. After an hour of work, my legs were sore.

There's an 'approved' Han style short form that is used extensively, but as always, there are are loads of different stylings, based on different training lineages and principles. Among modern practitioners, you can run into all sorts, including flakes who have no understanding of the principles or background, but that is always an issue with any martial arts related practice. Investigating backgrounds of the teachers is always a good idea.

If you are interested in a more vigorous alternative that is still not so combative, you might take a look at Aikido or Ki-Aikido. Lots of rolling, throwing, and a more strenuous style. No attacks, but lots of work on dealing with them. And some cool arm and joint locks. It is very much a reactive system.

As you mention even in the Aikido world we have different styles from the Ki society who treat it as some mystic crap do not get me going on that to more practical version. I been to many different organization of Aikido when i have done some traveling some of it is terrible and some of it is great stuff so the same rules apply about researching the art and that goes for any martial arts.