T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 76

Five frolicked to a forty-one minute set this morning. The set seemed smooth and my balance was better than average today. Hopefully this is a trend. It looks like I won't make it Friday evening or Saturday morning but Charlie should be there both days. I hope he has fun.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 75

Seven gathered for a free-flowing 26.5 minute form. Although the pace was quicker than usual, the flow felt fantastic. After the set, I briefly spoke with one of the students from 200 with some basic advice for Snake Creeps Down. She is doing quite well for someone who has never studied part 2 or 3. If she continues to study, I anticipate good things from her.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 74

Four found their way to a 37 minute set this morning. The flow and breathing felt nice to me. My balance seems to be returning. :-) Marry had a couple of questions after the set. The first question dealt with a tight shoulder. I had her lower her arm slightly for Single Whip and the issue appears to have dissipated. The other dealt with something else which I cannot currently recall. Oh well. Perhaps later.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 73

Two (almost three) practiced a 24 minute set today in HEC 110. After the set, I made some comments regarding stance (width and forward knee location) and then Dave and I worked on some push-hands, mostly four corner. Time and practice, relaxation and awareness, it will come with patience.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 72

Seven  showed on this very nice if somewhat later Saturday morning 27 minute set. I had two new people join who found me on the Internet through the UWSP home page. I was amazed and surprised. I did a search for T'ai Chi on the homepage and was surprised and pleased to find most of our practices show up. Who knew?

After the set, I worked with the two beginners briefly on the opening of the form and talked a bit about what T'ai Chi was, etc. If they (and I) show up on Sunday, I'll give them some additional information. I guess we'll see what happens. I also invited them to come to the YMCA to see if they would be interested in the Tuesday evening classes.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 71

Five fine folk fell in for a 33 minute set this morning. Everything felt much better and the flow was nice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 70

Six sentient Sapiens found their way to a 41 minute form today. The effects from yesterday were still just vaguely present, but instead of flubbing every kick, I only wobbled on one and the flow and breathing were much better today. At a few minutes after 7:00 AM, the power was cut to the building but we continued with plenty of natural light until about 7:25 AM when power was restored. I was pleased to note that not interruption of T'ai Chi occurred during the electrical outage. :-)

Ben had a few questions after the set so I stuck around and did what I could to assist.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 69

Five gathered for a 40 minute set. I, unfortunately, was completely off my game. I still have far to go before I can leave the outside world outside. I made several mistakes, but nothing that should have overtly affected anyone else. Tomorrow will be better.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 68

We were off on the 22nd due to building closure.

Six gathered for a pleasant if somewhat hasty-feeling 39 minute set this morning. When we were done, I was completely surprised by the time. I had expected something closer to 32 by the feel. After the set, I answer a couple of questions though they escape me at the moment. Perhaps later the exact nature will return. Dave asked a humorous question about getting all the way through part 3 in order today. I told him A: No promises and B: Shit happens. At the end, Colleen asked if, since we made it all the way through part 3 today correctly if I was going to increase the amount I charged. I laughed and indicated that the rates are now triple. 3*0=0.

Ah yes, Ben asked a question about Separate Feet. I explained the two variants that I know and noted their intended uses.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 67

Actually we were at the HEC. Four gathered for a 30 minute set. Both Charlie and I had the occasional foible during the set. After the set, Q&A, namely breathing on Fair Lady Works at Shuttles and then a little applied work with brush left and brush right knee. I was sad to see Dave wasn't there. Hopefully Tuesday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 66

Six gathered this morning for a very slightly abbreviated 38 minute form. We missed a transitional arm-break into Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch in the third part right after White Snake Puts Out Tongue. *shrug* Oh well. The push-hands after the class were interesting. Only three remained. Charlie wanted to work on four-corner so we played with that and I attempted to explain some of the subtleties and differences based on whose arm is receiving the push, etc. *shrug* I'm sure some information was conveyed. More tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 65

An amazingly large 7 showed up today for a decent 38 minute set. One of the participants was even a "regular" student from my university class which is amazing considering that today is the Friday before spring break. I was quite happy to be there considering the interesting morning I had, but the distraction did take its toll. At the Punch Down in part 2, I went into Step Forward and Ward Off Right which would have put me near the end of part 3. I stopped, apologized, went back to Punch Down and continued more correctly. It worked better the second time. *sigh* Oh well. Humility truly is endless. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 64

Four gathered for a relaxing 39 minute set. The exam is done. The students are elsewhere. Sleep remains a mystery.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 63

Six (or so) gathered for a 37 minute set this morning. - I must remember that the expectations I place on others are my own so that if they fail to live up to my expectations, the fault lies only with myself for having the expectation in the first place. Observe and be in the moment. All will be better.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 62

Six gathered today for a zippy 28 minute set this morning. It wasn't quite the same six as yesterday, but it was still very nice. My breathing was smooth and regular and the movements seemed to flow very nicely. Hopefully, more of that soon.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 61

Six gathered (eventually) for a very pleasant 37 minute set this morning. The time change has put us back in the dark in the mornings but I'm sure things will lighten up soon. In the mean time, we continue to be grateful of a place to practice while the weather warms.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 60

Only four gathered this morning for a pleasant but somewhat strenuous 42 minute set. After that, there was some good Q&A regarding parts of the form and push-hands. Dave especially had some good questions. Daniel (his son) seems to have learned noodling well and practiced it outside of class. He was surprisingly agile. He also had some questions about breathing and flow which is showing he's really getting it. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 59

Six gathered for a very nice 37 minute set. After the set, several people stayed and asked questions and at the very end three remained for a little push-hands. Charlie and I restarted executing the four corner push-hands, both of us realizing how useful some good practice of this would be. Hopefully, more tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 58

Seven gathered this morning for a 36 minute set. My concentration was off again today. Maybe it's the rain. I know I'd like to see some sunny days in the near future.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 57

Six gathered for a pleasant 41 minute set. I spent a lot of energy on focus and intent which made the set feel a lot more yang than usual. I need to learn to combine the intent and the flow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 56

Seven returned this morning for a fairly decent 34 minute set. I felt rickety today. I'm not sure if it was the rain or the less-than-adequate sleep I've been getting this week, but something was definitely a bit off. I expect it to be better by tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 55

Ten (yes another 10 :-) gathered for a 19 minute set this morning. It was pretty decent. The flow went well though I briefly lost concentration once or twice. I learned yesterday during a very nice chat with my instructor that Grand Master Yang Zhen-Duo often does the form in about 18 minutes. It was Master Yang Jun who instituted the 25 to 30 minute set and numerous others who have commented and theorized to the effect that longer is better. I will continue to push the envelope as I know that doing the form more slowly is a better work-out for the body, but these flow-focused sets are important, too.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 54

Six gathered this morning for a fairly pleasant (if somewhat unstable) 41 minute set. Almost everyone had balance issues this morning at one point or another. I almost lost my balance during a brush-left-knee. How sad is that? Oh well. Humility knows no bounds.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 53

Seven gathered for a 36 minute set this morning in HEC 110. After the set, five of us worked on push-hands, training two people who had not done this activity before. At the very end, a few of us worked our way through the staff set a few times with increasing speed. All-in-all, it was a nice way to start the morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 52

Seven gathered for a smoothly flowing 41 minute set this morning. Charlie and Peter stayed after to talk about many things T'ai Chi related and engage in a few minutes of pushing-hands. It was a delightful way to start the morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 51

Seven sidled out this morning to swell the ranks for a 39 minute set. Nancy was back, which was a nice surprise. I had just been thinking about emailing her yesterday. I can't make it this evening, but probably tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 50

Seven gathered to practice this morning for a pleasant 36 minute set. I felt a mite tired when I started, but everything seemed right as rain by the end. I also took a few moments and collected and transplanted a dustpan full of dust-bunnies. I'm fairly certain that's the first time that room has been swept in a very long time. I'm glad I had a chance to do it.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 49

Eight gathered for a 32 minute set this morning. This time still seems good to me. There was a section of frames in part 3 where I felt power surging through me. I wanted to utilize that power in an explosive fashion. It was almost intoxicating. Exploration is warranted.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 48

Seven gathered this morning for a less-slow 28 minute set. Hopefully my knees will continue to thrive in this Tuesday environment. Time will tell.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 47

Eight gathered for a rousing 35 minute set this morning. I guess it must be from what we did yesterday, because today it felt like we were flying through the form. My concentration was broken a couple times by a newer student who tends to get a little close to me during the form. I'm not sure if she's moving up or if I'm moving back or both, but I occasionally become concerned that we're going to collide. I guess it will be something to write about if we do. ;-)

The only other thing I have to say at this point is that I'm truly pleased by the turn out. If these numbers continue, I'll be amazed, but still pleased. :-)