T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 160

Four gathered for a 12 minute full set. The pace was such that good flow occurred yet I didn't seem overly rushed or hurried. I look forward to shortening these "quick sets" in future.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 159

Four gathered on the south west lawn of the Allen center for a 28 minute called set this morning. There was a question/comment on the three heights of punches.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 158

Five gathered on the south east lawn of the Allen Center for a 32 minute set. I bollixed a small portion of part 3 though I still have no idea what I was doing before I was supposed to be doing Fair Lady Works at Shuttles.

The sun, temperature, and breeze were virtually perfect today. I feel that it enhanced our practice, even if there were distractions present as well.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 157

Three gathered in the HEC for a faster 13 minute set followed by 4 sets of staff and some very enjoyable (mostly free-style) push-hands. It was a good morning. :-)

No practice tomorrow due to family.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 156

Five gathered on the south west lawn of the Allen Center for a 31 minute called set. The flow was nice until almost the very end when a couple of mosquitoes nibbled on me. There was a question about Fair Lady Works at Shuttles after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 155

Charlie and two others executed a 32 minute set today. I was again, elsewhere, though I did manage to find repeated opportunities to practice small parts of the form.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 154

Charlie and Tess executed a 30 minute set today. Certain requirements precipitated my being elsewhere.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 153

Seven gathered for a pleasant 29 minute called set this morning. We had a new person, Tess, join us for the first time. She actually did quite well for her first time. I hope she returns.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 152

Four gathered this morning on the west lawn of the Allen Center for warm ups and then on the northern section of the south lawn for a 32 minute set. The symphony of buzz-saws, heavy pounding, weed whackers, and beeping trucks was so prevalent that I'm sure some found it difficult to focus on the form. My comment at the end of the set was something to the effect that for someone who has mastered stillness, no external force can interfere. I'll be sure to let others know when I have mastered stillness. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 151

Charlie did a 22 minute solo set in the HEC. I really appreciate his dedication to this art form. I'm not sure I would have continued the practice sessions without his continued interest.

I, unfortunately, didn't wake up until well past 9 AM at which point other activities were required of me.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 150

There were three at the Allen Center for a 31 minute set lead by Charlie. While they practiced there, I practiced on the beach of the western shore of Lake Michigan. I didn't bring my cell phone so I have no idea how long I practiced. I would guess about 25 minutes or so since I decreased the slowness for part 3 due to impending rain coming in off the water. - The energy there was amazing, though not calm or smooth. The tide was on its way in while the breeze churned the waves and whipped them into a frenzy. It had been storming just a few minutes before I set foot upon the beach so almost everything was still in flux.The breeze off the (inland) sea was crisp and fresh. I have no the stamina to be a man of the sea, but I love her none-the-less.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 149

Five gathered for a 35 minute set (though only four finished). Considering how tired I was, I'm surprised it flowed as well and as slowly as it did.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 148

Five gathered for an 11 minute set this morning. The flow was substantial and pleasant. We chatted briefly about different styles among other things T'ai Chi related after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 147

Six gathered for a 33 minute called set this morning. There was a question about the transition between Fair Lady Works at Shuttles and Ward Off Left. I also announced the Yoga class in the evenings along with the cost. To remain fair, I told them that I would now quintuple my rates for morning practice. ;-) ($0 x 5 = $0.) I also told them they had to pay me on this Friday, a day which they all know I will be gone.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 146

Six gathered for a 31 minute set this morning. The humidity must have been higher than usual as the sweat was pouring off of me. After the set, there was a question on the breathing of Part the Wild Horse's Mane. I was hoping to add a position in part 2, but one of the beginners went running off as soon as the set was complete. Oh well. Perhaps Tuesday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 145

Three gathered in the HEC for a called 17 minute set. The flow was invigorating and enjoyable. There was additional interest after the set, so we dispersed with good wishes for each other.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 144

Four gathered at the HEC for a 28 minute called set. There were two "newer" people present along with one who claimed that she could use the called set. I'm not sure. She had quite a few semesters, but it was nice of her to say so for the other two, at least. I flubbed White Snake Puts Out Tongue by calling it Turn and Chop, but other than that, all went well. Having the change in students also allowed me to see others and I was able to make a couple of suggestions to the newer folk about what they could do to make their practice better. - There was one question about the transition between Ward Off Left and Ward Off Right.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 143

Five gathered for a 31 minute called set this morning. The flow was quite decent and I stayed on track. Other's again iterated how much this helps their learning process.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 142

Five gathered on the south lawn of the Allen center for a very pleasant 33 minute set. Wet grass aside, the weather was just about perfect. There were a few lawn mowers buzzing in the background but we could still hear the birds chirping.

Lumpy grass with uneven ground continues to be interesting. I hope to eventually flow across that terrain as easily as I do now on smooth wooden floors.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 141

Six gathered for a 12 minute set this morning. Excellent flow (for me, anyway) and very enjoyable.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 140

Six gathered for a 30 minute called set this morning. The energy is considerably different in a called set, but still very enjoyable for me. It was also apparently quite helpful for the newer students and as such I plan to execute two (or so) called sets a week. We'll see how it goes.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 139

Five gathered at the Allen Center for a 31 minute set this morning. Although I was quite tired from lack of sleep, etc., the execution of the form revitalized me in many ways.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 138

Four gathered at the HEC. Our set was preceded by a question which led to a brief demonstration of various escapes. It turned into a 10 minute demo/teaching session which two of the participants had not seen before. I consider it time well spent. - As a consequence, our form was accelerated to 23 minutes after which Charlie and I stayed for a bit to work on Yang-style push-hands.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 137

Four gathered outside the HEC for a 27 minute set this morning. Once the set was done, I continued teaching Separate Feet.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 136

Six gathered for a 30 minute set inside all facing true south. The flow and synchronized movements were very nice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 135

Two (Charlie) today executed a 7 minute allegro set followed by some Yang-style push-hands. It was quite enjoyable.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 134

Six gathered for a 31 minute set this morning. We faced north (instead of east) today which definitely had a different feel to it. I liked it and hope to try the other directions soon.

After the set, there were questions on Separate Right Foot and the sequence after the second Snake Creeps Down. I was also able to answer the question about staff from yesterday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 133

Six gathered after a four day hiatus for a pleasant 17 minute set. It was nice to see people again. - There was a question on staff after the bare-hand set which proved difficult to answer with no staff.