Finding Balance

I can't believe the second year of my retirement is coming to an end. It's gone by so quickly and yet, it seems to have been at least three or four years since my last day of work. I think the Covid pandemic blurs the timeline quite a bit. 

While retirement planning I envisioned years of excellent health, but events this past year have warned me not to take it for granted.

My yoga practice was a bit of a struggle in 2024. After the car accident and pains in my neck and shoulder, I laid off headstand for awhile. Things didn't get better, in fact pain started in my hands, feet and forearms. So I have been wondering how much I should push. I've never subscribed to the 'No Pain No Gain' school but I also don't think it's good to back off entirely. I remember when medical advice was to cut out walking after a heart attack; now people are encouraged to resume physical activity. As part of my rehab I've been doing prescribed exercises (nerve flossing, sit-to-stand, lifting dumbbells, etc.). Acupuncture and massage also help.

I often think about what Rob's Dad said, that he was "rusting out" while his mom was "wearing out." I'll try to find a balance and learn to listen to what my body is telling me. 

In my work life I would start most days with yoga, and hit the studio several times a week. Covid interrupted the studio visits and introduced online classes. I still have a regular practice but I've added QiGong. My body loves it, and it's easier to incorporate when travelling or on the boat. Sometimes I do the routine in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon.  Although I find beginning my day with mindful movement brings a healthy momentum, some days I lounge in my pjs until well past noon. Delicious! Something in me rebels against a regular routine. As long as not frequently indulged because it turns into lack-a-wanna and slides into ennui.

My Bullet Journal has been an extremely useful tool, both pre- and post-retirement. I've created a Habit Tracker so I can keep a record of daily habits for a view of the month at a glance. It's a good reminder to make wellness activities a priority. Regular headings include yoga/ qi gong / meditation / sleep / exercise / alcohol intake. I also like drawing in little hearts next to diary entries that fill me with gratitude. Although sometimes it makes me feel a bit like a grade school girl, it is fun to open a page and see happy hearts floating across the page. A monthly To Do list for tasks, with space for a checkmark or arrow to Bring Forward. A hangover from workdays, but it works!

This past September I discovered drop-in fitness classes at Toronto Community Centres, and even better, 50% off discounts for people over 60! Checking out QiGong classes at Matty Eckler and Tai Chi at centres located in the Beaches, Fairmont, and Scarborough has introduced me to new neighbourhoods. 

I tried Tai Chi at four different centres with four different teachers. Each had a different approach and followed different styles. So far I haven't been able to commit a full Tai Chi sequence to memory as I have with Mawang Dui QiGong. Mirroring the actions of the teacher and the class is soothing but not the same as leading myself through  the steps. To fully learn Tai Chi I will have to choose one style and make the sequence a daily habit. In the meantime I am enjoying my QiGong practice(s).

In the Matty Eckler QiGong class the teacher demonstrated some Tiger moves and we got a taste of a more playful form. After learning movements for tiger - clawing, stretching, walking, and washing - we were then encouraged to put together our own sequences, growling and purring as we went. Who knows, I may 'play' some tiger QiGong with Nora when she gets a bit older.

I'm also working on Mindful Dragon QiGong with Mimi Kuo-Deemer online. It is The Year of the Dragon, after all. This sequence is so flowing and elegant, I'd love to be able to commit it to memory.

For the month of January I signed up for some additional Wall Pilates classes online. So I warm up of wall pilates, and then alternate days between Yoga and Qi Gong practice. It seems to be a good approach, but it takes a bit of time.

For much of December I meditated for 30 minutes before yoga or QiGong, and it did deepen the flavour of the mindful movement. Now I am trying to finish with meditation or pranayama, even if it just for 5 or 10 minutes.