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Just wondering if anyone's tried all three of these by chance?
I'm looking for something to help me calm myself down when i'm doing an event & things go :eek:...I also just want to do something different.
I realized when I did the Busselton Jetty Swim this year that I really really really need some new calming techniques. The ones I had sort of worked & then my mind all went sheep kapoopies :o. *sniff*.
I can't speak to all three, but if you go the yoga route, look for classes/learning aids that specifically mention meditation and pranayama. Pranayama basically means breath. Those techniques, rather than yoga more generally, might be what you're looking for.
Tai Chi to be refreshing and relaxing. Yoga is restful and mellowing and wonderful but I feel the movement in Tai Chi is so fluid and purposeful. For relaxation before an event Tai Chi would be what I would prefer. But that's just me.
My knees didn't like TaiChi, and that was BEFORE I had the bike wreck last year. My doc suggested I stop - and this was a doc that wanted his patients to exercise.
I have been doing yoga for about eight years, have done a bit of tai chi, and have been studying Feldenkrais quite regularily for the past two years. And I have to tell the world that Feldenkrais is the most amazing concept EVER. Not only has it improved my physical body, but it has also completely changed my mental and emotional lives for the better. I can easily deal with stress (and I used to be medicated for anxiety), I am now more patient and understanding, I am more emotionally available and able to connect to others, I can easily change habits....I could go on and on. It would certainly help you stay calm in the face of anything. And it informs your yoga as well as tai chi, or any other physical movement activity you partake in. It will also teach you how to use your body most effectively without pushing yourself to the point of pain (which our society believes is the only way to improve, but believe you me, there are much gentler, more enjoyable ways to make your body, mind and soul stronger.) So while I think all three practices are a great addition to your biking experience, Feldenkrais will change your life.
If you have someone near you who does Alexander technique, that could be useful as well.
Yoga would be my vote for a calming and get-a-grip-on-yourself practice, as long as you're doing the more meditative kind.
You might want to try all three & see what works for you. Personally, I like yoga because I can focus on my breath, feel the sensations in my body while holding a pose and generally shut out the world. As others have said, don't rush into a power yoga class - it defeats your purpose. I've taken yin yoga where you hold a pose for 3-4 minutes & really get in touch with your body. It's wonderful.
I am not the meditative kind. I need direction. Back when I was in graduate school years and years ago I learned to hypnotize myself before exams or presentations. I would suggest to myself how calm and collected I was. :) It worked quite well. I have used the techniques off and on over the years.
Wow, I've never heard of this Feldenkrais thing until now. From what I can tell it looks very interesting.
I've done yoga for a more than a few years and have always enjoyed it. I've found that right after I am calmer and have a sort of relaxed "noodly" feeling to my muscles. It's very nice.
I've taken only one tai chi class and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've been trying to find more classes but can't find any that are cheap/free.
ITunes is a great resource for classes by the way. For yoga I use the 20 Minute Yoga Sessions from YogaDownload.com. They're long enough that I get the benefit but don't have to fight to find an hour to set aside to for it. I've also found some Feldenkrais classes that I'm going to try (there's also some on Youtube). Unfortunately all the Tai Chi classes on there seem to cost mula.
I would say give a try for all three and figure out what you like. Of course you don't have to choose one. :) You will probably benefit the most if you go to an actual class (I attended many yoga classes to learn the basics before moving to in-home practice). But if you just want to try these things out online classes might not be a bad way to try them out.