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.
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| Denise poised for play on the pickleball court. |
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.
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