Tai Chi (With Cat)

I have a new furry roommate in my apartment, and most of the time his is truly great company.  He’s done what most cats do automatically as he  has become quite a snuggler and also a lap quilt if I am seated which has been great fun.  But for those of you who know and understand cats well any movement can be an enticement to join in which can create all types of problems.  And that is exactly what happened when I began exercising in my small living room today.

I began with my Tai Chi warm ups along with a DVD I recently received.  I have found it can be a great way to start and end any day for me.

But today’s practice was certainly different!  While I began my warm  ups the my Pangur decided to make the whole work out much ore interesting and challenging.  You see he seemed to decide to make it his business to participate every time in every movement I made.   He made it his business to either become a weight around my ankles, or a hand slapper for my hands.  Let me explain.

During the time as I am doing my warm up and cool down he often attaches himself to my foot around the the ankle area, and he loves every movement of my swinging feet on either side forward  and back and then side to side.  He cheerfully vocalized this with soft mews.  But then he realized that the best part of the “game” for him was when I was also standing on one foot ans swing the opposite one he first tried to catch that foot but quickly decided to jump on the chair I use for support.  You see I do not really have the best balance and need a chair to begin this warm up.  Sitting in the seat of the chair he would jump up and try to grab the hand each time with great excitement.  Thank goodness he has no claws in the front paws or I would definitely be scratched every time he grabbed my hand.

But the simple warm ups and cool downs were definitely not enough exercise for him!  Throughout the steps he would participate in the Tai Chi and would change between clutching one of my legs for a ride, or chasing my movements on the floor which made it almost impossible for me not to lose my balance during the routine!

One of the movements he loves the best is called waving hands in the clouds. The movement is both using the upper body with hand movements, and stepping out with the right foot.  The first time I did it Pang decided to latch on to my right foot and ride it throughout the three times I did it while he, hanging on very tightly continued the swinging motions with me – as he smiled!

Needless to say it was almost impossible to do my exercises AND avoid the cat so I don’t fall flat on my face!  It really can be exhilarating – at best!

But the funniest part of the whole experience was afterward when we both plopped into comfy chairs by the window.  I lifted a glass to my lips to drink some water, and he simply looked at me and he raised his paw after a moment.  He seemed to be telling me in no uncertain terms that he was just too tired to go on.  He had had enough!