T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 102

This is the first day I've ever missed. I set up my new alarm clock and it didn't wake me up. The "buzzer" is pathetic. It's definitely my fault for trusting it.

Charlie led the two others that showed up in the hallway (concourse, I think) in the HEC. His guesstimate was a 32 minute form.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 101

Four gathered for a very relaxing 38 minute form followed by some staff work with Charlie. It felt good to be back yesterday but today it just felt good. Tomorrow is our last day of the year.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 100

Four attended this morning for a 34 minute 3-part form. I felt us slow down in part three, but the first two seemed fast. At the same time, I'm not sure I could have gone slower and honored the breathing.

Charlie stayed for a couple runs of the staff. I would have stayed longer but I'm on call today.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 99

Six gathered for a 37 minute three part form. Chad and Charlie stuck around to practice the staff form several times. This concludes the retreat.We are off until the 28th.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 98

Six gathered again today for a 22 minute three-part form and then an 8 minute part 1 form. Chad and Charlie remained after for some additional staff work. My stances were much deeper during the allegro bare-hand form than usual and the flow was excellent.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 97

We had six today for a pleasant 44 minute form. Following, Charlie and Chad stuck around for some extra staff work. Chad finished part 4. Now, practice. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 96

Four gathered in HEC 110 for a 38 minute set. I found it quite pleasant other than one spot in part two where I was supposed to be doing a kick with right heel and instead my body wanted to do a step forward to ward-off right. (Silly body. ;-)

After the bare-hands set, we ran through the whole staff form a couple times so Dave could leave and then I worked with Peter on the beginning of part two and Chad on the middle of part four. Chad has one more position before he is done with the staff form. This is most impressive for the time frame, but whether or not he retains the information will be up to him and his practice schedule.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 95

Six gathered for a pleasant 41 minute form followed by some rousing staff practice. Chad started part four while Peter finished part one. (Progress is always nice.) Hopefully more tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 94

Six gathered for a 41 minute form. Nancy didn't show, but Peter came in her place and the new standard of Matt, Charlie, Chad, Colleen, and Daniel were all present.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 93

Six braved the pre-dawn chill to practice a pleasant 40 minute form. It also sounds like we'll still be able to get together (to some degree) over the upcoming break. I plan to make reservations today.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 92

We had six to start and five to finish a 37 minute form today. One of my university students took her final this morning. The physical was fair. I have no idea how the written went yet. All things in the fullness of time. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 91

Six gathered for a 40 minute three-part form today. My energy and balance was a little off through part one and part of part two, but by part three, things seemed to stabilize. I took the opportunity to stand in the second row today and let Charlie and Chad lead the group. It was interesting to watch and nice to not have to lead much of the form for a change. Matt also made the comment that it was nice to be able to see different people at different points in the form, so it seemed to work out well for everyone. Nancy asked about Wave Hands Like Clouds and a brief discussion of T'ai Chi as a primarily defensive art-form ensued.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 90

The standard three plus two were there today for a total of five flowing people in a 41 minute form. Chad noted that for him, standing by the fan was a chilling experience while our new friend Matt seems to really enjoy the flow. I encouraged him to take the Tuesday evening classes but we'll see.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 89

We had four today for a pleasant 21 minute three part form. We worked on flow today and that was as fast as I could do the form today and still hold true to the breathing. Everyone else played along nicely.

After the set, Nancy acquired one of Ms. Wong's DVDs and the other two went through the staff form. Chad completed re-learning part 1 this morning. After staff, Chad and I worked on some push hands for about 15 minutes. I'm hoping to do more this evening.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 88

We had five today for a nice 39 minute form with plenty of questions after. We only had a couple minutes for staff though as there was another group coming in at 9:30. Hopefully more tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 87

We had six today. The standard four plus a new gentleman named Matt. We also enjoyed the return of the illustrious Chad. :-) --- Matt has studied Yoga and some of the free-style T'ai Chi offered at the Wellness Spa here in town, so he was able to pick stuff up fairly quickly and didn't have any issue with the pace. Of course, he doesn't know the breathing yet, either, but my guess is that he'll be able to do it easily. The form lasted 39 minutes today. Colleen made the comment that she didn't realize it had been so long. That's a good sign. It would seem to point to the idea that she is becoming stronger with increased stamina.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 86

We had the standard three plus one of my UW students join us today for a rousing 36 minute form. I was off on my breathing and couldn't keep as slow a pace as I would have liked, but it still felt pretty good. The student commented that this was the first time the practice of the form had felt relaxing. Who knows? Maybe he'll return for more.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 85

Called on account of snow, weather, and building closing. This is the first time in my memory that the UW has closed due to inclement weather. - Happy Snow-Day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 84

The standard four plus two were there today, clocking in at 38 minutes for all three parts. It was a nice practice, though the plus two kept pausing from time to time to take pictures. I will be glad when they are done with that portion of their project, anyway. They can come all they want, just leave the cameras in your pockets.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 83

The standard four plus one of the "project oriented" students had a nice 37 minute practice today. The student took a few photos for his project as well. I think I've seen the last of them. Hopefully they were able to get what they needed.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 82

Three for a nice 36 minute set today and all three stayed for several rounds of staff. I left my white-wax-wood at home and instead grabbed a seven foot rattan staff which my instructor sold me some time ago. Instead of being tapered, it is the some width all the way down but retains a fair amount of flex. It's also quite a bit heavier. It will definitely take some getting used to, though Dave noticed that I already modified where I was holding the staff in order to compensate for the difference in balance. I guess we'll see how it goes.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 81

Almost the standard four today. Just swap Dave and Charlie and it was spot-on. We enjoyed a nice 34 minute set followed by two for a few sets of staff. - I noticed that last night, I must have re-cracked the end of my white-wax-wood staff. I'll have to take it home and re-glue.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 80

We had six today with a decent 34 minute three-part form. After the form, I finished Grasp Bird's Tail with the beginners and explained the various martial applications of the positions. Not only did they seem to grasp the material but one of them indicated that he was really pleased that he had decided to start this "class". Apparently there was more there than he expected. :-) I probably won't see the beginners again until Sunday at the earliest, but we'll see. What will also be interesting is if they continue coming past this coming Wednesday as that is when their project is due. As always, time will tell.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 79

Seven today for an enjoyable three part form last about 35 minutes. Three of said seven had never been there before yesterday. Never-the-less, it was still enjoyable, at least for me. After the set, I took the beginners through Ward-Off Left and talked about the two main stances in the form. I also gave them beginning hand-outs. I have no idea how much longer they will be attending, but as long as they are there, I might as well treat them like students.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 78

We had six today, though two were quite unexpected. It seems that an intermural's coach is making his students do an activity in the Allen Center. I guess we'll see if they come back.

The set lasted 37 minutes with the two new people following along quite nicely. Hopefully more tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - Day 77

The standard four gathered for a pleasant 39 minute set. I am confident it is becoming easier to extend the form. I don't think I'm up for a regular 45 minute set just yet, but perhaps in a few months.