Exploring Motivation . . . with Denise Alire, T’ai Chi Chih Instructor

If you see Denise Alire at her local Y, she’ll probably be playing pickleball or doing T’ai Chi Chih. Of course, right now Denise is seeking out ways to stay fit without the Y as we all practice social distancing. But my friend was kind enough to take time to do a socially distant installment of “Exploring Motivation” with me.

Denise poised for play on the
pickleball court.

Denise turned 60 not long ago and continues to push herself to stay fit. I’ve seen her drenched in sweat many times after running on a treadmill. I asked her via e-mail what motivated her to work so hard. “My biggest motivation, and I’m very lucky that I can honestly say this, is that I have a partner who exercises every single day,” she said. “In 26 years together, I’ve only seen her miss a couple of days—one day she was so sick she couldn’t get out of bed, and then when she gave birth to our son. So, I’m certainly gonna do my part to stay in a ‘healthy’ relationship.”

Not just a fan of doing T’ai Chi Chih (TCC), Denise also teaches the meditative form of movement. She’s usually like a ball of energy—I’ve actually teased Denise about trying to keep up with her on a few occasions when we have gone to grab a bite after our workouts—and she says TCC is a good way to settle herself. “There was too much going on in my mind, there was always something else to do,” she explained about her time getting started with the discipline. “So, in slow, moving meditation, I’m actually moving while meditating. T’ai Chi Chih has been shown to have many health benefits as well. It can bring peace, clarity, balance renewed physical and mental energy.”

“Besides integrity and wisdom that it can bring to some, I think it truly can bring a sense of serenity and a sense of higher spirituality. But everybody is different so, you get out of TCC what you are intended to get out of TCC.”

Denise brings that renewed energy to the pickleball court. “Oh, my gosh! I absolutely love pickleball!” she said at the mention of the game, which is akin to tennis. Once an avid racquetball player, a passion she let go by the wayside, and never quite a fan of the traditional game of tennis, Denise finds pickleball to be a great fit for her. “I find it’s more like ping-pong on a giant table with a partner. Much easier if there are two people to get the ball. It’s enough exercise or intensity, but if for some reason it’s not [on a particular day], then I throw in a moderate walk or hike.” She also noted that the social aspect of the game adds to her motivation to play.

Denise just recently ended a run as a personal trainer. I asked her if she saw any common traits in people she had trained that got in the way of their efforts to stay fit. She said clients new to exercise often have to overcome a feeling of intimidation—from not knowing what to do to being concerned with how others see them.

“Trust me, no one is watching you—everyone is absorbed in their own workout!” Denise said. She added that she would teach people the proper techniques of using free weights, strength training machines, resistance bands, and even their own bodies to train. “You know, it’s possible to exercise without all the equipment! Besides strength training, I also emphasized cardio exercise. I would invite people to come check out the classes. There are all kinds of classes one could take. I truly believe there is something for everyone. All you have to do is find something.”

I asked Denise what advice she would give those struggling to start a fitness regimen. Besides recommending a trainer for some people, she said, “Start with a class, meet others, socialize or simply start walking. Yes, it really is that easy!”

Finally, in what I hope will become a staple in “About Motivation,” I asked Denise to demonstrate her favorite exercise. Though I couldn’t join her due to social distancing practices in place at this time, she was gracious enough to demonstrate some full body exercises on her own.

Many thanks to Denise for her insights on motivation and for helping me make this edition of “Exploring Motivation” happen in this unique time.