**Yoga, Tai Chi Or Both?**

At your age, I think you need to start with Tai Chi.. slow movement but graceful. Yoga you might have a hard time with the flexibility... but after a few weeks in Tai Chi you can take yoga... Yoga is a very refreshing and relaxing exercise. I like it. Note: both exercises will not give you glory in terms of cutting down fats and weigh lost. Both will you relaxation though. Mavic123456

Hi Kash! I use Yoga, but mostly for relaxation rather than exercise. A lot of it is about breathing. I use it to control blood pressure as well. I don't have high blood pressure but by breathing a certain way I can get it from 120/60 to 98/40. There are a lot of different ways to breathe and they're very helpful in different exercises. Of course, it's always good to keep breathing. I don't know much about Tai Chi but I think that would be good for you. I've seen people doing the exercises and it looks nice and easy but at the same time can tone your muscles (I'm assuming). Yoga does have modified positions/exercises for individuals with problems such as yours - back, hip & neck. Here's a site for beginners. It explains about Yoga and the different aspects of it. There are several different types of Yoga to be considered. http://yogaforbeginners.com Doing a little of both sounds good. They're both healthy for your body and mind. Hope this helps a little. Good luck!

I am glad you think about this. Increasingly we have come to realize that physical activity and healthy eating will make a difference whether or not we spend our last years in life as a sick person or with vitality that will let us enjoy whatever time we have left. I am much older than you and had to start to think about these things after I was diagnosed with a serious health condition in 2008. Since then I have done Tai Chi once a week. It helps with balance and keeps your joints nimble. I also do weight twice a week. I don't want to be a body builder but I would like to keep the muscles that I have. I have been frightened into doing this by seeing older people in my building waste away over the last ten years. People who are not physically active. Yoga is very good also but it is not to my liking. You should try it and see if you like it. I also partake in Line Dancing at a Senior's Centre once a month. It is great fun. We also do Move to Music once a week which is more gentle than line dancing and puts you in a good mood for the rest of the day providing the instructor is good. When I feel really energetic I also go to a dance studio once a week to take Zumba Gold.They sell ten tickets at a time and you can go whenever there is a class. This Studio has a Senior's discount of half price. On a Wednesday morning the class is really small and I get individual attention. However, this is very vigorous excercise. So, I can honestly tell you I feel better than I did ten years ago despite my medical condition. I would also like to say to you that before you waste any money on books, go to the library and look up the subjects that interst you. The books have pictures and you can decide if you would like those perticular excercises. In order to stay focused it is best to do most of those activities in a group environment. Check out programss in Senior Centres, City Recreation programs if there are any and if there are sudios ask if they have a free trial lesson. I did try out pilates, yoga and nia dancing as well as the stuff that I am doing now and I decided on what I liked best. Get moving to good health and long life! Oh, about weights (hand weights or machines) I did take one lesson from an instructor because it is important to do it right.

I have a DVD of AM and PM Beginner's Yoga. I do it primarily because of the firbomyalgia and it strengthens my core, plus makes me less stiff when I do it. I used to do it all the time. I have become lazy in getting it done, but it did help. The morning part of the video helps get you ready for the day, and the PM at night helps you wind down. I think it helps get me in the kind of shape where I'm more likely to lose weight. And I didn't want to start out with something really difficult. I think the name of the DVD I have is Rodney Yee's Beginner AM and PM Yoga.

I am right behind you in age.....and I had some problems with my hip. When I went to the doctor they gave me exercises and they really help. You might want to ask next time you go see your doctor....they give you the right kind of exercises to do at our age.....The one they gave me I do everyday is for my hip...and it has stopped hurting since I started doing the exercise.

I will go for Tai Chi, it is a great exercise suitable for everyone especially the elderly. It will not put too much strain on your aging body and is normally done in slow motion with low intensity.

First off congratulations on quitting smoking! I'm so jealous right now as I have quit, gone back, quit, gone back, quit, and gone back for years now! My advice would be to research as much as possible, try and find some sites that either have pics or tell you how to do the exercises, pick your favorites, either print or write them out, and then make a routine for yourself! Best of all, your not out ANY money at all!

I prefer Taichi because it is one of the slow exercise. It has 24 movements or forms in Taichi. You can breathe with the use of your nose. Inhale and exhale. You can do a smooth music while doing Taichi. Taichi can make you relax your mind and body.

hi... to be honest i just discovered tai chi and its many benefits through the you tube. its good for balance, arthritis, relaxation etc. its done in very slow movements and without any pressure to perform the steps in perfection. there is even tai chi for those who are confined to wheel chairs or for those who have difficulty standing up for a long time. 'm still trying to learn "the walk" and in the process 'm learning why its good for achieving balance.

I'm not familiar with Tai chi but I think Yoga is fine with you, I want to suggest running but I think brisk-walking suits your age than running. It's my dream also to join the session of yoga and I only do it with my self from videos in Youtube and don't know if I did the right position or not.

Hi, For losing weight Yoga is the best remedy. by doing Yoga we get full body exercise. Walking is also a good exercise for losing weight. Balanced diet is also necessary. Avoid eating fast food, oily food items, taking soft drinks. Avoid sleeping immediately after meals or exercise.

I like yoga alot, i used to take classes in las vegas in the usa. I miss it. i just dont have time here in Mexico. They do have classes in the big city, wish I could join.