For the past couple of months I’ve pretty much been confined to bed with a back injury. I’ve finally recovered enough to return to work, at least part time.
I couldn’t even comfortably hold up a book, so how could I study Tai Chi like I’d promised myself?
1) focused breathing and meditation. I often fell asleep, but I figured I needed it. The meditation was great for focusing healing energy and relieving pain.
2) Audiobooks! Paul Read has a pleasant reading voice and you can delve deeper into the philosophy. He also has books on other topics that I can give two thumbs up for.
I also highly recommend the Tao of Pooh and The Sages Tao Te Ching.
I’ve worked my way up to a couple of minutes of standing meditation and hope to return to the form soon.
Paul Read
Ouch, that all sounds very painful Don. Wishing you well and a speedy recovery - or at least a slow but meaningful one.
I like your list. I'm compiling the best audio and will release it next year as separate course (free to Ninjas and Flying Dragons). For exactly these sort of circumstances. More on that later...
I'd also add a 3rd activity to our list of inactive studies.
There appears to be a fair bit of science behind actually imagining you doing the moves - visualisation in both pain relief, recovery rates and even physical performance too. Eg -
https://www.drdevroy.com/visualization-in-sport-and-exercise/
It may be worth a try - just a couple of qigong exercises, - or run through something short like 10 step - or try an entire sword form if you want a challenge (and perhaps a aid to insomnia ;)
Paul Read
Hmmm investing Dougie.
Re audio for Fist under elbow. I added an extra audible file today to help with the move. Bit of a rush job, but it may help.
Re visual videos without instruction. Scroll down to the end of the course - 49-51 and browse those sections where you should find a few non instructional versions to look at. If it help, and this goes for other chucks of video here and there, I can try and get a downloaded copy of a version to you to consult offline. Just pick a video and let me know which one and where it is and I'll sort it.