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At age 7, my mom enrolled me in the College Park School of Dance, which was affiliated with Pittman Corry’s Southern Ballet. My teacher was Karen Conrad Corry, whom we called Miss Karen. I adored her. She wore her tutu to class and sometimes brought her toe shoes to show us. It was a beginner’s class so we mostly had fun.

The next year Pittman Corry called my mom to invite me to the advanced class for next year, where he trained students who had been identified as having potential to become ballet dancers. It was awful. No tutus or toe shoes, just working hard at the barre everyday. I quit. Many times over the years I have thought about what I threw away at age 8.

So I especially admire Suzelle Poole, who also started ballet at age 7, but who didn’t give up.

These videos show you how to walk based on Tai Chi moves, which is more challenging to your core and easier on your knees. Danny Dryer developed Chi Walking and has DVDs, ebooks, and apps on his website, www.chirunning.com/chiwalking/walking-technique.

I went on a three-mile chi walk the other day on the Atlanta Beltline. It was challenging to remember all the steps. I would become distracted and start walking with straight legs or not swing my arms. It required mindfulness, which basically means bringing yourself back to your intention once you realize you have wandered off, similar to the way you do in meditation.