T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 325

Seven gathered for a 29 minute uncalled set, this last gathering day of 2010. After today, the Allen Center won't be open early enough (or at all, in some cases) for our needs. I also won't be around as much, so in combination, it makes sense to call it done for the year. - We will likely resume on January 4, 2011.

Overall, 2010 has been a great year for T'ai Chi. If I learn as much in 2011 as I did in 2010, I will truly feel that I have started on the path.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 324

On this 21st day of December, the Winter Solstice and day of full moon total lunar eclipse, seven gathered this morning for a 13 minute set. After the set, a comment was made by one of my students who is concerned about an apparent difference in the speed of execution of Single Whip. I returned that it continues to be six breaths just as it always was, but that the timing of the last two breaths in relation to the movement is now different since I came back from the seminar is August. Since today was our quick set and somewhat difficult to gauge such things, we decided to revisit it tomorrow.

After the set, we did five minutes of standing meditation.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 323

Seven gathered for a very pleasant 25 minute called set this rather chilly morning. After the set, there was a question on the extension of the arm in Brush Knee.

Before the set, there was a comment informing the group about a total lunar eclipse this coming morning at about 2:45 AM. This is the first time there has been a total lunar eclipse on the solstice in about 400 years, since 1638 to be precise. Although it will be very late when it happens, I plan to see it, weather permitting.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 322

Four gathered in HEC 110 for a 24 minute uncalled set. After the set, there was a question regarding Step Back, Ride Tiger. After the questions, we had a philosophical discussion about things one would die for and then got into a ten (or so) minute game of Frisbee.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 321

Five gathered in HEC 110 for a 29 minute uncalled set. The flow was good, my breathing fairly consistent. After the set, Charlie asked some subtle questions about the timing of leaning forward in positions like press and push. It gave me a good opportunity to talk about the importance of the folded hip. After that, Charlie again requested a viewing of Wave Hands Like Clouds for observation at the hip level.

After the set and the Q&A, we all worked briefly on part 1 of the staff form.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 320

Nine crazy people gathered this morning for an 11 minute called set. Normally the "quick set" is on Tuesday but we got quite a late start this morning. When we arrived, the building was still locked. I tried calling security, but they knew nothing of the hours of the building so I went and looked at the doors and the signs there-on. One had a very clearly spelled out URL which lead to a 404 page-not-found error. Eventually one of my students found a phone number to call and that brought relatively quick results in the form of an attractive blonde co-ed who was both quick in her unlocking of the building and apologetic for her tardiness.

After the set, there was one question on the weight shift between High Pat on Horse and Go With Palm.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 319

Eight gathered for a 27 minute called set. Even though it was Thursday, I decided to do a called set as there were enough people there that could benefit from it including Lauren and a make-up student. It felt really nice and pretty smooth. I know there were questions afterward, but I don't recall them at the moment.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 318

Seven gathered for a 29 minute uncalled set this morning. I was in a foul mood when I arrived, but a minor screw-up by Charlie and myself near the beginning of part 3 made me chuckle and I was really able to get into part 3.

After the set, there were several questions including one on the angle of the hand in Parry, a question about striking at the beginning of Wave Hands Like Clouds, and at least one other which I will remember later. Over all, it was a good practice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 317

Ten (minus me) gathered for a 17 minute set this morning. Of these, three were students making up classes. I should have expected them to be there this morning. After all, today is their final. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 316

Five floundered through frigid weather and foul wind-chills for a 23 minute called set this morning. There was a question on the direction of the turns, a question on the shoulder placement of Fan Through Back, and a question on sinking between the Golden Cock Stands on One Leg positions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 315

One pushed, shoved, and clawed his way through the snow this morning. I'm not surprised no one else attended. The amount of snow on the roads was preventative, to say the least.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 314

Five ploughed their way through the blustering snow to gather for a 22 minute set. There were questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 313

Some for a while. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 312

Eight gathered for a 28 minute set this morning. I noted, as did others that the flow seemed very nice today. There were no make-up students today but Charlie has the sheet for tomorrow as I am unlikely to be able to be there this Friday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 311

Seven gathered for a 30 minute uncalled set including one student making up a missed class.

After the set, there was a question on Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch with extensive focus on the timing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 310

Seven gathered this morning for a 6 minute quick set. The comment was made that it was borderline aerobic. I think most people would be sweating if they did that set ten times in an hour. ;-)

After the set, another 5 minutes of standing meditation. It was much better today than last week.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 309

Eight gathered this morning (including a student from the Wellness 200 class) for a 25 minute called set. Before the set, there was a question Brush Left Knee, primarily the differences introduced recently. After the set, there was a request to review and work on Fist Under Elbow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 308

Four gathered this morning for a 24 minute un-called set. I had the request to keep the set under 30 minutes, so I sped it up slightly to make sure.

After the set, there were questions about torso pointing which lead into a long and excellent discussion about the attitudes one tries to portray in T'ai Chi, avoid committing, avoid investment, wait, listen, line in the moment, etc. I added my own taint as far as attempting to be positive, making affirmations, focusing on what you want instead of what you don't want, etc. It was a very enjoyable 25 minutes.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 307

Eight gathered for a 32 minute called set today. The flow was nice and I did my best to hold to the tempo I started even when others were trying to speed up a bit.

After the set and various questions, Charlie was kind enough to help me video tape part 1.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 306

Six gathered for a 20 minute called set. - I was trying a more forceful breathing at the same time which didn't work as well as I'd hoped. The words got in the way. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 305

Seven gathered for a mid to late 20's minute set. I had some alarm clock issues and was not able to make it.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 304

Seven gathered for a 31 minute set this cold and snowy morning. Since it is the 1st of December, it only makes sense that it would be snowing. After the set, there was a comment/question about keeping balance during the kicks. I emphasized the compression/folding of the supporting hip while executing the technique.