Tai chi ???

I've never really tried Tai Chi but as far as relaxation goes I really like crystal bowl sounds.

I love T’ai Chi! It’s relaxing and also good for balance and strengthening I took wonderful small classes about 20 years ago when it was convenient to work, but now that I’m retired, the only class I found was simply awful. The instructor broke a large class into small groups and had other students teach the class. Awful! I’m going to look for some DVD’s. Most of what I’ve found is not real T’ai Chi but someone’s knock off attempt to make money. Ugh.

I was always into weights/cardio but started Tai Chi during chemo. great for balance, relaxation and strengthening. I felt my posture improved.

Another cancer patient recommended this DVD to me and I absolutely loved it. 

https://www.thevillageofhealingandwellness.com/online-shop/recovery-qigong-for-individuals-with-cancer

Love the crystal bowl  sounds! My previous acupuncturist used healing tuning forks. Such an amazing sound as well and I felt energized after. I am thinking of buying some...

Taoist Tai Chi is the class I take. It costs nothing, but donations are accepted; same as my yoga. Only about 10 people in class. This type of Tai Chi can be found in most major cities. Can find out if your city/town has it by looking online.

I can respond (just as all who have tried it) that tai chi is excellent for balance, strength and relaxation. I'm a tai chi instructor and teach a weekly seated tai chi class for those with severe Parkinson's; it even works seated! I'm board certified via Tai Chi for Health Institute. Click this link if you'd like to find a class near you: http://taichiforhealthinstitute.org/instructors/?country_id=233&region=&fn=Find

Jadedjo have you checked with your local hospitals? Several of the hospitals near me offer free wellness programs for cancer patients like art therapy, yoga, meditation, etc. I was hoping to find a Tai Chi class but instead I've been practicing Dayan Qigong at two different local hospitals for free. Qigong is an ancient Chinese healing exercise that is considered the grandmother of Tai Chi, and it is standard medical technique in China. In addition to the movements it includes self-massage of acupressure points, meditation, breathing, and since it's sponsored by the hospital the instructor is very well qualified. Dayan is just one of the Qigong forms that is supposed to best for overall healing and is supposed to help rid the body of toxins.

If your local hospital has a Women's Center or Cancer Center, I recommend checking what classes they might offer. Here in southern California Tai Chi or Qigong classes cost several hundred dollars a month from less qualified instructors, so being able to take them for free is a huge benefit The one thing I will point out since you mentioned your problems with yoga - I've been staying away from yoga because I have extensive bone mets in my spine. I was surprised to find out how much bending from the waist there is in Dayan Qigong, but my instructor is trained in working with cancer patients so she helps me modify movements to protect my spine when needed...and sometimes that means doing a movement from a seated position.

Sorry you're having a hard time finding a class Jadedjo, I'm learning how lucky I am to have easy access to such things.

Have you tried checking with local senior centers, rec centers, YMCA? Those classes don't typically show up in a google search, you have to visit each website and check their calendar. Community colleges sometimes offer tai chi classes as part of their Adult Education offerings too, if you have one near you. Another suggestion, I don't know if you're familiar with the meetup.org website but I have found quite a few tai chi "in the park" sessions that welcome drop ins and are either free or very inexpensive (comparatively speaking). You have to be careful and read the description though, some are just practice sessions for people who have already had some training and you wouldn't get any individual instruction.