T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 303

Five gathered for a 9 minute quick set this morning. Prior to the set, I had a request for a demonstration of the last Turn and Kick with Heel. The student in question confessed that he practices on carpet so I'm not surprised the turns may be causing him issues.

After the set, we all joined in 5 minutes of standing meditation. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 302

Five returned for a 27 minute called set (thank you, Charlie) though I needed to be elsewhere.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 301

One presented himself ready willing and able for a 6 minute set (preceded by many minutes of warm up) in the HEC. Fun was had by all.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 300

No data.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 299

Seven gathered for an 11 minute uncalled quick set. This was just a touch slower than I had wanted, but it worked out well for the folks that were there. Following the set, we did 5 minutes of standing meditation.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 298

Seven gathered for a very pleasant 27 minute called set. After the set, there was a question on the name of Apparent Close-up and on the parry of Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch.

During the White Crane Spreads Wings in part 2, a wood beetle came buzzing down from the ceiling for a closer look at our T'ai Chi. After his initial decent, he seemed content to sit on the ledge of the mirror and watch.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 297

Four gathered for a 23 minute set followed by some push-hands and a little staff with Charlie.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 296

Six gathered for a 26 minute set followed by questions and answers. Charlie and I did three sets of staff, each progressing in speed and intensity.

"Wunshoo's" sister was there for the first time. She indicated that she liked it. We'll see if she comes back.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 295

Seven gathered for a 28 minute called set this morning. After the set, there were questions on the initial Ward Off Left and the movement of the left foot. I also reminded folks that when I call the set, they should wait until the name of the next position is done before starting to move into that position.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 294

Four gathered this morning for 26 minute set facing "true" south. This gave the few people there today a chance to see themselves in the mirrors from a different perspective. No one said they liked it, but everyone acknowledged that it was educational.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 293

Eight gathered for a 26 minute uncalled set. - A large number of the people seemed to want to skip Fair Lady Works at Shuttles. Fortunately, one of the students reminded us.

After the set, there was a question about the form as a whole vs. as separate frames.

Alas, that I was in such a foul mood this morning. It had little or nothing to do with the screw up in part 3 and was entirely "personal". I hope it passes by tomorrow. It does not suit me.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 292

Seven gathered this morning for a 7 minute quick set. After the set, we did 5 minutes of standing meditation.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 291

Nine gathered for a 26 minute called set this morning. After the set, there was a question on the large transitional arm-break after Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger as far as the pointing of the feet. I also commented on another student's foot work who was opening his right foot to 90 degrees instead of 45 throughout some of the form.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 290

Three attended today for an 18 minute set. There were quite a few questions after the set was finished along with just a touch of combat training for one student in particular.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 289

Seven gathered for a 27 minute called set. Good flow today, I think. One of our Saturday-only fellows attended today, as well. :-)

After the set, there were questions on the first Turn and Kick with Heel (keeping balance), White Snake Puts Out Tongue, and two others I don't currently recall.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 288

Eight gathered for another 35 minute set today. The flow again seemed fairly even for me, at least up until the very end. The last transitional arm (leg) break really gets the juices flowing but I was able to slow it back down again almost immediately.

After the set, there was a question from a participant (newest, new person from the other wellness class...this would be his second time attending) about what portion of the foot to pivot on. This also helped the other "new" person, though she's been there a while now. There was another student who asked about the transition between Strike Tigers.

Lastly, I announced that we would not be meeting on this Saturday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 287

Six gathered for a 35 minute set this morning. The flow seemed very nice, even and consistent today. One of the other practitioners even commented on how even it was today. (I tend to speed up a bit in part 3.)

After the set, one practitioner commented on the fact that she really felt the ch'i flowing for a part of the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 286

Three (not me) gathered for an 8 minute set this morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 285

Seven gathered for a force-pleasant 25 minute called set this morning. After the set, there were questions on knee placement in Roll Back, the transition into Brush Left Knee from Turn and Kick with Heel, and I made some hip compression recommendations for the new student.

We were joined by an insect observer today, as well. One of the wood-beetles that are common at this time of year stalked along the floor on the south side of room while we did our set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 284

Three gathered today for a pleasant 27 minute uncalled set. I need to stop looking at my students. They throw me off if I'm not in the correct mindset. ;-)

After the set, Charlie and I did some Yang-style push-hands and then Charlie was kind enough to work on my left leg. It was doing quite a bit better after just a few minutes. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 283

Seven gathered for a 27 minute called set this morning. After the set, there were many questions. Near the end of our time, we ran through the staff set slowly (three of us) and then went back and started working on new positions for one of the members. We did not finish as someone else needed the room.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 282

Seven gathered for a 27 minute called name and called breath set. It actually went surprisingly well. I lightly flubbed a couple spots, but was able to usually correct quickly. Overall, I think it was helpful and informative for the students and myself.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 281

Seven gathered for a 27 minute set this morning. The flow was pretty good though my one knee was complaining a bit. I'm sure it will pass.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 280

Six gathered for a 29 minute uncalled set. Included in this mix was a completely new fellow who also noted T'ai Chi (and its benefits) from the Wellness class I demonstrated at earlier this semester. - He's not bad. If I recall correctly, the other new person from this venue also started well.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 279

Six gathered for a 6 minute uncalled "speed" set followed by 5 minutes of standing meditation. I am confident I could have done the set faster, but some of the students were getting confused, so I slowed down a bit.

The meditation was nice. It was definitely another situation where 5 minutes didn't feel like 5 minutes, more like 2 or may 3. More soon, I hope.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 278

Sever gathered for a 28 minute called set this morning. The flow seemed good though many of the others seemed just a touch faster than what I was calling.