Eternal Spring

When I can muster enough self-discipline, I do something called Eternal Spring. It's a form of chi kung, or nei kung, devised by a brilliant tai chi master, C.K. Chu.

Master Chu, who taught college physics for many years (he's now in his 70s) came to realize that many of us... mature... individuals don't have the strength or flexibility to begin the study of tai chi. He designed Eternal Spring to combine the virtues of nei kung, specifically flexibility and proper breathing, with movements that are integral parts of Yang-style tai chi.

If you can't get to New York to take classes, you might consider buying the book] or the CD. I'm here to tell you that this stuff works (assuming that you do it, rather than talk about it). Given my propensity for exaggeration, I'm forgiving of those who think I'm overly excited about the form. I'll just tell you this: it's not fun for the first few weeks. It gets better. After a month or so of doing it two or three times a week, you'll believe me.

Benefits? You'll have more energy, guaranteed. You'll sleep better. Little pains, many of which you might not even have been aware of, will disappear. And you'll focus. Trust me, you'll focus. I don't know why. I'm not saying it's a cure for ADHD. But you'll feel better and think better and be healthier.

As far as figuring out why, if this makes me feel so much better, I tend to drop it after a few months, I'm at a loss. But doing it for six months a year is, clearly, better than not doing it at all. And if you can find the 90 minutes a week in your busy schedule, you should give it a shot.

Just take it easy on the Horse Stance and the Frog position until you've made some progress, or you'll learn, within millimeters, where all the tendons in your knees and groin are located.