T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 23

A blush of snow applied itself to our area as seven of us acquired footing and sprang into our practice room. Being Monday, a called set was executed with the time being only 25 minutes. I did talk briefly after the set about Kick With Left Heel and the fact that it is a 4 count, not a 2 count as some like to do it and then answered  a question through demonstration of Snake Creeps Down into Golden Cock. Lastly, I offered some advice (to the same person who had asked the question) regarding Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger in that they should make the circle with the arms slightly smaller and flatter on the top to simulate the dual punches. It was a good start to a day and a good start to a week.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 22

Seven gathered in HEC 110 this morning for a very nice 25 minute set. After the set, we reviewed part 1 of the staff form and then added up through Carry Staff to Back. Then Charlie and I went through the whole set a couple times.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 21

The sky after practice this morning was exquisite. Before practice, it was a deep blue ink, darker than it has been the last couple of days, but once the sun actually rose, it was beautiful.

Seven gathered this morning for a delightful 27 minute called set. After the set, there was a question on Play Lute and another on Apparent Close-up. Hopes were high for a good day, and as we all know, hope defeats all good times.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 20

Again it snows this morning, though I should be neither irked nor surprised. It is still January here in Wisconsin.

Eight dashed through the snow to partake in a 29 minute set this morning. After the set, there was a question on Step Forward, Punch Groin. I then talked about keeping the hips folded through out the form and the positions there in, especially when going into Push and the transition through Single Whip.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 19

Seven gathered for a 25 minute called set today. Normally, we don't do a called set on Wednesdays, but we had one of my university students join us and he has only had part one thus far. I wanted him to see how much of the form he already knew just by knowing part one.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 18

Eight found their way through the considerably warmer weather to practice. After a very pleasant warm-up, we ran a 13 minute set. After the set there was a question on Step Back, Ride Tiger. After the Q&A, we gathered for 5 minutes of standing meditation. This was 40 breaths for me. As a comparison, part one should be about 78 breaths which normally takes about 5 minutes. Obviously I can breathe more slowly when not moving. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 17

Six attended today, though neither Charlie nor I could make it. Dave stepped up and called the set. I am uncertain as to the length of the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 16

No Data.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 15

No Data.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 14

Five froze their tootsies in the sub-zero breeze this morning while waiting for the building to open. Charlie called them at 6:30 and we finally were able to get into our room at about 6:50. Once inside, we accomplished an accelerated warm-up and an 18 minute set. We also started by facing the west wall which was in line with the setting Full Moon. There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 13

Light, fluffy flakes with an eight degree temperature was an interesting contrast. Usually, it seems a bit warmer when it snows here.

Seven braved both cold and snow for a luxurious 28 minute set this morning. After the set, I had a question about the feet during the transition from the last Fair Lady Works at Shuttles to the Ward Off Left and then I took people through Apparent Close-up with emphasis on keeping the hips compressed and folded when the weight is furthest back. This seems to be a recurring a problem for many students in this and other similar positions. Of the people there, only two really had it, with a third very close.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 12

In a desperate bid for sleep, my brain turned off my ears and I slept much later than expected. - Charlie took 4 people through a 20 minute set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 11

Another few inches of the powdery white-stuff this morning. My driveway may have been clear when I left this morning, but the road certainly wasn't. This is now the fourth fall after which no plow showed up. There's enough snow on the ground this time that I would guess they'll plow later.

Eight gathered at HEC 110 for a 28 minute uncalled set. After, I answered questions on Separate Feet among other positions. When the Q&A was done, I worked with one student on the usage of staff, primarily part 1 and then went through the set a couple times with Charlie. All in all, a nice start to a Saturday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 10

The snow continues to drizzle across the countryside, slowly accumulating in pretty much every place it can. The little town in which I live is blessed with snowplows. Alas we are not blessed with the money to run them. ;-)

Seven slogged through the snow for a 27 minute called set today. We will not be meeting on Sunday or Monday next.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 9

It was a pleasant if somewhat gray start to the day, but the temperatures certainly weren't bitter as they have been in recent past.

Seven gathered for a 29 minute uncalled set this morning. There were a number of mistakes throughout the set. I'm not sure why. I was (thankfully) able to remain relatively focussed.

After the set, there was a question regarding Wave Hands Like Clouds and the breathing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 8

Brisk but not harsh was the air this morning, fresh but slightly warmer than the last few days. The snow last night and likely a bit more today may well be the cause of the slightly warmer feel.

Six we were today executing a 24 minute set facing true-south (or very close to it) instead of the usual east. The change in direction allowed at least one student to notice foot placement on Repulse Monkeys.

After the set, there was a question regarding the placement of the upper hand in Turn and Chop.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 7

Light and fluffy can still be pestiferous when it promises to freeze and make your path a slippery one. At least shoveling is good exercise.

Five flung snow and caution to the winds and gathered for a 6 minute set this morning. Jet Li I'll never be, but it's nice to practice.

After the set, we stayed for five minutes of standing meditation.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 6

Darkness is still the rule for our gatherings during the week. I was somehow expecting to at least see a glimmer of a sunrise this morning before the set, but alas, pitch was the color to beat.

Although a couple of regulars were late today, we still had five for a 27 minute called set. After the set, there was a question on Step Forward and Punch Groin and on the Crossed Legs just before that. Explanations of opening hips do wonders at that teachable moment. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 5

Seven slouched off the winter weather to gather at the HEC 110 for a very pleasant 27 minute uncalled set. It felt slower than that, but boy did it feel good. I woke up a bit sore this morning, probably from too much time sleeping but after the set, I felt almost human.

After the set, I spoke on the position of the pushing hand in Brush Left Knee and Repulse Monkey before the push occurs. I then spoke on the continued importance of width of stance over depth of stance. I also talked briefly about the hand position in frames like White Crane Spreads Wings and Strike Tiger combined with the concept of the center line of the body. Lastly, I revisited the breathing of Wave Hands Like Clouds and especially into the transition into the subsequent Single Whip.

After my comments, one person had a question on Play Lute so I worked with him on that paying attention to the martial application of the frame.

After the Q&A, four of us remained for some work on staff. Energetically speaking, I was a bit off, so we worked slowly through part 1 a few times and then ramped it up (for those in the know) for a couple of medium sets. Overall, it was a very nice T'ai Chi morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 4

Even though the air remained quite crisp this morning, the sky was clear and the sunrise displayed some excellent colors across the (mostly) eastern sky. If cold is the price of such beauty, I think I'm willing to pay, at least part of the year.

Six sought their way through a 26 minute called set this morning. I had a question regarding waist turn between Brush Left Knee and Play Lute. There were also some "comments" regarding width and depth of stance.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 3

At least the air wasn't quite so cold this morning as yesterday. It was still crisp and fresh, but not quite so harsh.

Six returned for a slightly less slow version of the form completed in 27 minutes, give or take 30 seconds. After the set, there was a question on Snake Creeps down and I re-emphasized the importance of keeping the hips compressed or folded which in turn helps keep the torso upright or leaning forward slightly. One student especially likes to lean back during certain portions of the form. One little push against one of his straightened and completely unfolded hips and I believe he would tip over backwards. We'll see if he remembers the lesson for the next time we practice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 2

The air this morning could certainly have been considered "crisp" at -5F. The air smells better when its cold here. I'm not sure if there is an actual reduction in the toxins or if its related to the lack of things actively decomposing. Whatever the case may be, it is pleasant in smell, just not in skin exposure.

Six brave souls ventured out into the morning chill for a 33 minute set. A had a curious question before the set. One of my students noted that his physical trainer suggested that he tense his abs while executing the form. Upon reflection, I find this to be a truly a bad idea. Part of the health benefit of this form is to relax, open up the body, the electrical, cardiovascular, the lungs, the digestive, etc. If you consciously tense a portion of the body throughout the form, you are defeating a large chunk of the purpose of practice. It would be the equivalent of practicing the game of pool to become a better pool player but in the mean time, I'm going to hang a 20 pound weight at one end of the pool cue to build arm strength. If you want to do ab work, do ab work. If you want to do T'ai Chi, do T'ai Chi and in so doing, it will help your abs (and your pool playing), but don't try to combine them. - As my instructor would often say, T'ai Chi helps everything. Not everything helps T'ai Chi.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 1

Snow sings a song all its own, like no other song I know. This morning, each flake was like a gentle caress, each step, a subtle squeak as the snow compressed underfoot. This morning's snow was pretty, light, and enjoyable. Seldom do I feel this way about snow anymore.

Seven gathered this morning for our regular warm-up followed by a 26 minute uncalled set. Normally we would do our quick-set on Tuesdays, but it being the first gathering of the year and the first gathering in over a week, it seemed appropriate to start more sedately. After the set, five stayed for about six minutes of standing meditation.

It was good to be back. I did only a little over the break and I could tell my limbs were a shade stiff and my balance subtly off, but I expect both limbs and balance to return to normal in short order. I also noticed that some of the aches and pains I had been experiencing prior to the break were ameliorated or gone completely. A break truly is necessary, from time to time.