T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 246

Four arrived today for a very fulfilling 31 minute set. Even though I was quite tired before I started, the flow was good and the interlocking or "gearing" between waist and the rotation of arms and other movements was both obvious and natural.

The new student asked about the form and function of Single Whip. I was happy to show her. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 245

Five gathered this nipped but pleasant morning for a 30 minute uncalled set. After the set, there were questions on Repulse Monkey (both form and function), another position I cannot currently recall, a correction on Parry, Block, and Punch, and a couple of comments regarding posture. There was also an observation on energetics which although not overly flattering was interesting. Overall, it was a good morning for T'ai Chi. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 244

Three (again, no Charlie) gathered today for a 9 minute called quick set. I always find it interesting trying to call a quick set but today, other than squeezing some names, it went fairly well. The person who has been practicing for less than a week is doing quite well, though she noted she's having issues with Fair Lady Works at Shuttles. - This, too, will come.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 243

Three gathered (no Charlie) for a 27 minute called set this morning. - Others were late today so I did a few minutes of standing meditation before the set. It really changes the tone of the set though I'm not sure it helps. *shrug* Perhaps my mind is just occupied with other things toady.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 242

Three gathered in HEC 110 for a 25 minute called set. After the set, I worked on Grasp Birds Tail with the new person followed by some changes with the other young lady. The newer person stayed and benefited as well.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 241

Four gathered for a 34 minute set in HEC 110 this morning. It's been over a month since we've done a set this long. I liked it. It felt good to breathe that slowly again.

The "new" person is learning quickly. We worked on push hands and then briefly on staff after the main set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 240

Six gathered this Friday morning for a 27 minute called set. Included here was both the new person who started attend on Wednesday but also a member of my beginning class. It was really nice. :-)

After the set, there was a question on the height and distance from the body of the right hand in Turn and Chop. (About solar plexus height and about the width of a T'ai Chi fist.)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 239

Four gathered (including the new person from yesterday) for a 27 minute set this morning. Snake Creeps down is better, with a little knee adjustment. (Must keep knee in-line with foot. :-p) There was a question regarding hand placement in Repulse Monkey after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 238

Five gathered (including one from the demonstration in the stress management class last week) for a nice warm-up and a 26 minute set. Snake Creeps Down seems to have gone all wonky on me of late. I need to practice this the correct way a few times and get it back where it belongs.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 237

Three gathered for a warm up (as always), about 7 minutes of standing meditation, and then a quick 9 minute set. I think the two practices (meditation and quick set) clash a bit, at least in the order performed. We started the meditation last week and I felt the same way during the quick set. I plan to reverse the practice for next week and try again.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 236

Six gathered in the Allen Center for a 25 minute called set. One of the semi-regular students had a question on the hand change of the initial Wave Hands Like Clouds. Another student asked if my seminar instructor (Master Yang Jun) had focussed a lot on the tiger-mouth pointing as this seemed to make a lot of sense to this student.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 235

Three filed in for a 26 minute set followed by a brief couple of staff sets with Charlie. We had to leave at 9 for another group needing the room.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 234

Four gathered this morning in HEC 110. We did a bit of a review of changes for the first part and then zoomed through an 18 minute set so we could be done by 9:00 AM. A large group of young ladies required the room at 9:00, so it worked out well.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 233

Four gathered for a 25 minute called set this morning. The flow was excellent (in part) and the energetic differences in the set are becoming notable.

There was one question on Bow-Stance Walking at the end of the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 232

Three gathered for a 21 minute set. I asked that we execute a "faster" set today as I have two other sets today. It seemed fairly smooth (for me) except in the early portion of part 3. My mind wandered and the set reflected that nicely.

After the set, there were questions on Strike Tiger, Carry Tiger to Mountain, and Press.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 231

Four gathered for a 24 minute set this morning. There were questions after regarding the transition of Press to Push and the transition into Fair Lady Works at Shuttles.

I paid close attention to the pointing of the tiger mouth today. Very interesting. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 230

Four again gathered for several minutes of standing meditation followed by a 10 minute set. The flow of the set was nice but I noticed I have not yet subconsciously incorporated all the changes yet. Well, I guess that will come with (you guessed it) time and practice. *heh*

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 229

Four gathered in the Allen center for a 28 minute set. Things flowed fairly well, though I was vaguely distracted from time to time.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 228

Four came to morning practice today in the HEC. I tried having them keep their head elevated/level throughout the form, but it seemed to create a less than pleasing effect for the other practitioners. *shrug* Another day, perhaps.

After the set, we talked again about posture, how the tail bone is NOT tucked under. It is clear to me that this allows better movement in the hips. I also helped one student with differentiating between hips and waist for the concept of always leading with the waist. I also talked about the pointing of the torso in Press and the pointing of the hands throughout Grasp Birds Tail. There were many changes and those there seemed to enjoy learning them.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 227

Two found their way to the HEC for a 20 minute set followed by some delightful push-hands.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 226

Five found their way to a 28 minute un-called set. (Normally, I call the set on Fridays, but I did that yesterday.) I worked on rooting today along with keeping the head up and, of course, leading with the waist. It all seemed to coalesce (at least in places) and the flow was excellent. After the set, there were questions on the transition into the latter part of Brush Knee and the first Turn and Kick with Heel. There were then follow-up questions on the former. Overall, it was a very good morning practice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 225

Three came to the Allen Center for a 29 minute call set today. (Charlie couldn't make it.) There was a question on Strike Tiger after the set. - My right knee is behaving less than optimally of late. I may have to almost slip on the ice again. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 224

Four gathered for a very nice 27 minute set this morning. There were non-pertinent questions before the set and questions on Strike Tiger after the set. I demonstrated the "new/old" way of doing Strike Tiger and the "new" way of doing the small Turn and Kick with Heel.

I was really able to get a number of the positions leading with the waist today. The difference in experience is quite notable.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 223

Four gathered for a quick 11 minute set this morning. For some reason, my knees are behaving less than perfectly this morning. I shortened my steps a bit which I think helped. We'll see how the afternoon goes. - There was one question about "T'ai Chi Walking" aka "Bow Stance Walking" before the set. I demonstrated the method for entering bow stance and the practitioner seemed to benefit from the instruction.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 222

Three gathered for a 25 minute set preceded by and followed by several questions about the various changes to the set. (Charlie wasn't there.) After the set, one departed and the remaining two chatted briefly and then called it a morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 221

Three gathered in the HEC 110 for a 27 minute set encompassed by questions on both ends and staff practice at the end.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 220

Five gathered for a very pleasant 29 minute called set. Before the set, there was one question regarding the breathing for Prayer Wheel. I'm glad this person is finally becoming interested in the breathing. They have been practicing for some time now, but they have never learned the breathing. - After the set, there was a question on the various types of Single Whip in the form and I clarified Ride Tiger for another.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 219

Four gathered (no Charlie) for a 30 minute set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 218

Three gathered for an eight minute set this morning. Before the set I spoke briefly on the posture, the rounded crotch, and the weight distribution in the feet.