T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 277

Six gathered for a 27 minute uncalled set this morning. Among the people there was the redoubtable Daniel. He was somewhat taken aback by all the modifications from the form he knew, but other than that, it was really nice for him to be there. He's even expressed the desire to return at some point before another 3 months expire. ;-)

There were multiple questions and extensive explanations offered for today. - We ran out of time to do any staff work today.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 276

Give gathered in the HEC for a 26 minute called set this morning. The set was quite nice and followed by numerous questions from three of the four folk remaining. Questions ranged all over and included Strike Tigers, Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, Step Forward to Seven Stars, Step Back Ride Tiger, Turn and Sweep Lotus, Turn and Chop and probably others I don't currently recall. - After the Q&A, Charlie and I worked on a couple of staff sets.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 275

Six gathered for a 27 minute breath-called set this morning. I think this may be the first time in a long time I've done that for the whole form. - I seem to know it better now. :-)

After the set, there were comments about how useful the breath-called set was but no other pertinent questions this morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 274

Six gathered for a 26 minute set this morning. During the early portion of the set, the thought of Bruce Lee entered into my mind and I realized his statement of, "Be like water..." was completely applicable. Each movement or frame is like a wave in the ocean. Throughout the frame (or the wave), everything is smooth as a gently flowing tide, but at the end, it is as the wave crashing upon the beach. This seemed such an appropriate thought that I communicated it with the rest of the students before our departure for the morning.

After the set, there were questions on the transition from Turn and Kick with Heel into Brush Left Knee, a question on the continuity of the form from one of my UW students who has started attending semi-regularly, a question on the timing of Strike Tigers, and a question on the timing of Double Wind to the Ears.

All in all, it was a good start to the day. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 273

Six gathered for a decent 25 minute set this morning. I played with rooting and managed to semi-successfully root almost every position, some of them more correctly than others. - After the set, there was a question on Ward Off Left from one of the more experienced people and a question on synchronization while working in a group. I also learned that my newest student probably won't be back until Monday due to other obligations.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 272

Seven gathered this morning for a 7 minute quick set. - I bombed the form right after White Snake Puts Out Tongue and managed to confuse most of the group. *sigh* I think I tried to go into Ward Off Right without the Step Forward, Parry Block and Punch. Oh well.

After the set, we all did about 4 minutes of standing meditation. I would have liked to do more, but already my legs were getting tired which probably meant others were suffering as well. More of that later.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 271

Seven (eventually) gathered for a 24 minute called set this morning. After the set, a question on arm directions in Transitional and Diagonal Single Whip was asked and a request was made to go through Step Forward to Seven Stars through the end of the form. It was a good set, though the room was a bit muggy due to the current weather patterns.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 270

Two gathered for a 24 minute set. After the set, questions were asked, suggestions given. Even though it was a small group, it was well worth the effort.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 269

Six gathered in the HEC for a 26 minute called set. After the set, there were numerous questions on all different parts of the form. All things considered, it was a very nice start to the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 268

Six gathered for a 27 minute called set. After the set, Charlie and I worked with one (relatively new) practitioner on Single Whip. It was much better after a bit of instruction. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 267

Seven gathered this morning for a fairly nice 34 minute uncalled set. It probably would have been a bit longer but I consciously chose to speed it up a bit after the second Wave Hands in part 3 as some seemed to be tired.

After the set, there was a question on the changes to Fair Lady Works at Shuttles.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 266

Six gathered for a 30 minute uncalled set this morning. After the set, there were questions on Carry Tiger, Return to Mountain, and Crossed Legs. - It was a really nice set. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 265

Five gathered (eventually) for a 9 minute quick set this morning. There were no questions before or after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 264

Five gathered for a 23 minute called set this morning. Before the set there was a question on Go With Palm. After the set, there was a question on Sweep Lotus.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 263

Four gathered for a 26 minute set this morning followed by a few questions from the regulars. After that, we called it on account of it being a Sunday. ;-)

I was horribly late this morning, almost 15 minutes. I really must do something about that.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 262

Five gathered for a 29 minute called set. Among the group were two infrequent attenders. After the set, there were numerous questions, several comments and a few observations. It was a morning well spent for a teacher. :-)

In the last 5 minutes, Charlie and I practiced staff a couple of times, which was also quite nice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 261

Eight arrived in various states of tardiness (except Mary) for a pleasant warm-up and a 26 minute called set. Other than mangling the first Play Lute, I felt the set went quite well.

Before the set, there was a question on Turn and Chop as far as how the lead (right) foot is behaving as the chop is being executed. After the set, the new attendant from my beginning class noted how well things are coming together for him now that he's had opportunity to practice it in a group like ours. :-) I hope he continues to attend (along with everyone else that was there). He seems to be picking things up nicely.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 260

Four gathered for a 29 minute set this morning. - I'm shortening my stance (or at least trying to) and it seems to be helping my one knee. Now if I can just even it out so I'm not taking such a long stride on the other side. ;-)

There was one question/comment about rounded shoulders and sunken chest after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 259

Four gathered for a 28 minute set this morning. There was a question about dragging/tracing/lifting the foot during a transition. There was also a question on the right hand going into Strike Tiger Left.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 258

Five gathered this morning for a 12 minute "quick" set. The flow was quite nice, especially in a somewhat accelerated part 3. - The only question was on a question from yesterday as to what the question was from yesterday. Unfortunately, the asker wasn't there this morning. Perhaps tomorrow. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 257

Four gathered without me this morning for a 20-ish minute set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 256

Two gathered for a 17 minute set followed by a few questions regarding Separate Feet. We called it an early "day".

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 255

Five (no Charlie) gathered in HEC 110 for a 24 minute set this morning. There was a question on how far to turn to the right for Roll Back, and some additional information imparted. There was also a question on the foot work of Single Whip after Wave Hands Like Clouds. - It must be time for me to check.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 254

Five gathered (minus me) for an undetermined length set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 253

Six gathered today for a 28 minute uncalled set, probably my last until Saturday, though Charlie full-well plans on being there tomorrow morning.

After the set, there were questions on the flow of Ward Off Right into Press and our resident "beginner" asked about the application of Wave Hands Like Clouds.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 252

Four gathered for a 27 minute uncalled set this darkling morning. (By the time we left, it was very bright, though. :-)

There was a question on Needle at Sea Bottom after the set. The new method of keeping the torso at about a 45 degree angle is vaguely perplexing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 251

Three (no Charlie) gathered for a 10 minute called set this morning. - My turns were truly off today. Oh well. - Before the set, I worked with the newest new-comer reviewing Grasp Birds Tail and adding Single Whip and Lift Hands, Step Forward. More as time permits.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 250

Six gathered this first-frost morning for a pleasant yet called 26 minute set. After the set, there were questions about Fair Lady Works at Shuttles.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 249

Three gathered in HEC 110 today for a nice 26 minute set followed by "corrections" or more accurately, modifications handed down from Master Yang Jun. - After "correcting" up through Punch Down, Charlie and I went through the staff set a couple of times. We traded starting spots which was vaguely confusing for me the first time through, but it went well "at pace". ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 248

Six gathered in HEC 110 for a 25 minute set. There were several questions afterward regarding the transition into Punch Down, among others. After the questions, we reviewed the staff set up through Carry Staff to Back in part 2.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 247

Five gathered for a 28 minute called set. After the set, there was a question on something which escapes me at the moment. Perhaps I'll recall later.