Tai Chi for Riding

As my rides have increased in distance, I have become aware that my aging body does not bounce back as fast as it used to. It has become clear to me that if I want to push my rides out further I am going to need some sort of physical fitness regiment. In the past I would run for my training needs but over the last few years my knees have decided that they don't like the pounding so much.  
Earlier this year I decided to give tai chi a shot. Even though I thought this martial art looked cool, I was skeptical of its use for actual physical fitness. I thought the meditative aspect would be good for my mental state but all those slowwww movements couldn't possibly do much for me physically. After my first class my eyes were opened, I was so amazed at how much my body was screaming and how much flexibility I have lost over the years. I describe my tai chi experience as the most I have worked doing so little.

I am hoping that the practice of tai chi will help me get more out of my motorcycle experiences.