T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 49

Monday dawns fair and chill, which is saying something in that it dawned at all at least before the set. A significant portion of the sun had actually cleared the horizon prior to the commencement of the set. The set itself had 8 people and was 27 minutes long, called. A fair amount of silliness ensued prior to the set this morning's set, too. I'm not complaining. - There were no questions regarding T'ai Chi before or after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 48

Four divested the snow from their paths and gathered in HEC 110 for a 31 minute uncalled set. It felt more like 38, but it was quite nice none-the-less.

Before the set, there was a considerable amount of jocularity and a bit of laughing. After the set, there were questions on Turn and Kick with Heel.

After the Q&A, we worked on some push-hands, introducing the less experienced.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 47

Winter seems to have crept back, at least according to the thermometer.

Seven gathered this morning in HEC 110 for a 26 minute called set. When I started the set, my one knee was really complaining, but by the time I started part 3, it was better than it has been in several weeks, anyway. My opposing shoulder has also been twingey of late, and it too, is feeling better. :-)

After the set, there were questions on width of stance and weight distribution for High Pat on Horse and White Crane.

We would have gone on to work on staff, but we were chased out of the building by a fire (or emergency) alarm. Hopefully all will be resolved by tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 46

This morning, a train decided to investigate the one set of tracks I have to cross to get to practice. Fortunately, cell service is agreeable in that area and Charlie was able to start the Temple Exercises.

Before the set, one student asked about "Other Transitional Arm-break" (a non-position usually leading into Ward Off Right). After several demonstrations, the lesson was mostly learned. We then proceeded to execute a 22 minute called set. I intentionally worked a bit less slowly than usual due to time constraints.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 45

Freezing rain last night and this morning fell upon this snowscaped land slicking all bare surfaces. Perhaps this is a sign of spring?

Seven slid their way in for a 31 minute set. There were no T'ai Chi related questions, but the political discussions both before and after practice were interesting.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 44

Five for an 18 minute uncalled set. - The ice-pocked washboard roads do not impress me.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 43

Although the blizzard appears to be over, the snow-removal is still underway leaving huge piles of the white stuff dotted around the neighborhood like the tips of gigantic land-born icebergs.

Eight trudged through ice-pocked streets to engage in a pleasant warm-up followed by a complete 11 minute set. After the set we engaged in 6 minutes of standing meditation. It was quite refreshing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 42

Only three braved the blizzard aftermath this morning. I commented that only the crazy people were there this morning, which of course is true. I'm not saying the other people who get up at the crack of dawn to come to practice aren't crazy, mind you.

We had a nice 28 minute called set this morning. I asked that those attending work on rooting their positions. I have no idea how others did, but I felt more connected and more satisfied with the form from a martial aspect than usual. The energy is a bit different, but still very nice.

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 41

In the pre-blizzard hours, five gathered for a somewhat less slow set this morning. We took 27 minutes to finish and it honestly felt fast to me after this last week's longer sets.

After the set, there were several questions on Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Perry and Punch.

After the Q&A, we worked briefly on push-hands and then one other and I worked on Staff. Although we didn't really progress in part 2 of the staff form, we did cement a number of the positions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 40

Five gathered in HEC 110 for a 38 minute uncalled set. Before the set, there were questions on Double Wind to the Ears, and after the set there were questions on Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger.

After the Q&A, three of us worked on the staff set for a while.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 39

Blustery winds found their way across central Wisconsin today, but the full moon setting on the western rim was truly beautiful.

Seven gathered for a 29 minute called set this morning. After the set, there was a question about the transition from Step Forward to Seven Stars through Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 38

Visibility was a bit reduced this morning due to fog. I was lucky to see 25 feet beyond the front of my vehicle. Fortunately, the temperatures remain warm with a promised high of 49 F today.

Eight cleft the thick air this morning and gathered for a 32 minute uncalled set. After the set, there was a question on the breathing in Strike Tigers. There was also a question regarding the reason Bow stance is named as such.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 37

Freezing frogs, er, fog shrouded the city this morning in an obscuring mist which gave the perception that the world ended just a few hundred yards away. It was almost calming.

Six gathered for a 31 minute set this morning. We even had a student from a couple years ago join us this morning. She intends to attend at least twice a week. :-) After the set there were questions on the transition into the last Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Perry, and Punch in part 2, Bend Bow Shoot Tiger, the transition from Diagonal Flying into Lift Hands, Step Forward, and the breathing for Fair Lady Works at Shuttles. Over all, a very nice way to start the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 36

Six attended a 15 minute set led by Charlie. I just couldn't pry myself out of bed this morning. Something about going to bed around 4:00 AM after having worked most of the previous evening and again much of the very early morning. - I know, I know. Excuses, excuses.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 35

And a happy Saint Valentine's Day to you, too. The weather is certainly more pleasant than it has been with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark instead of the sub-zero mark. It does make the use of one's T'ai Chi skills a bit more necessary as the ice that's left is far more slippery at this temperature than at -15F.

Eight gathered for a 28 minute called set this morning. It seemed to flow quite well, other than a minor hiccup or two in my head. After the set, there were questions on Fist Under Elbow as to what portion of the forward foot is on the floor, and Single Whip, how straight the right arm is, the hook, etc. All-in-all, a very pleasant morning practice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 34

Six gathered at the HEC 110 today for what started out to be a really long form. One of the students has been curious about a really slow set so I thought to do a 35 minute set or so. After the end of part two, I told them we would be doing part three a bit less slowly. It still turned out to be 37 minutes and we almost doubled the speed of part three. I think it would have been a nice 45 minute set if we'd stayed the course.

After the set, there were questions on Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Perry and Punch, and Apparent Close up. I reminded the students there of how close one really is when utilizing the martial aspects of T'ai Chi and had a cross-over student from TKD there to assist in the demonstration. I also talked about breathing and the concept of breathing out when striking to allow more energy to flow into the technique but also about breathing out when being struck to prevent providing a hard target.

After the Q&A, we did some single-hand push-hands to introduce one student and refresh the others. That went well, too. Over all, it was a very nice practice session. Nothing tomorrow, but we'll be back at it on Monday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 33

This morning at about 4 AM, the temperature just outside my house was -15 F. Thankfully, the winds had subsided. Everything seemed to work a little less well from my garage door, to the house doors, to the grease in my car's joints. Have I mentioned lately that it would seem to be time for warmer weather?

Seven gathered this morning for a 30 minute called set. There are still a few issues with certain people getting well into the next position long before I've called it. Monday may be a good time for a reminder of how to follow a called set.

After the set, one student commented how focusing on the breathing and actually belly-breathing alleviated his back pain issues. Another commented about positive intentions and their influence on daily activities.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 32

It was a measly eleven degrees below zero (F) this morning and some people around here seem to think it's cold outside. Today, I would be one of them. The stiff breeze from last night had only partially subsided so even the short walk from the car to the Allen Center was bracing to say the least.

Eight braved the sub-arctic temperatures to participate in a rather pleasant 27 minute set. After the set, I spoke briefly on foot placement in Repulse Monkey and circular to lateral arm movement in Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 31

Subzero temperatures did not dissuade five from attending this mornings practice session during which we executed a 31 minute set followed by questions on Fan Through Back (breathing).

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 30

A month of practice days it has been, though in real time, it is a month and eight. - Parking was scarce this morning, though that's not a bad problem to have at practice. The sky was a light blue with streaks of yellow before we started, even though the air temperature was sub-zero.

Seven gathered for a 14 minute "quick" set this morning followed by about 6 minutes of standing meditation. After the meditation, I reminded people to try to keep their Dan tien's even while practicing the form as it is easy to get into an up and down rhythm, especially at speed.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 29

The sky was a definite shade of moderate blue this morning shortly before we started. (And no, I was not significantly late.) Thus, I can reason that the days are in fact getting longer, or more accurately, the amount of daylight is yet again increasing. A day is still 86,400 seconds long, unless you wish to figure in leap years, in which case it should be approximately 86,459.1781 seconds long. Thankfully, we just add a day every four years.

Seven endured the slightly warmed winter weather and gathered for a fairly pleasant 28 minute set. The set was both called by name and by breath count. Although I would certainly not say that it was grueling, it left no margin for thought outside of the form. It was actually vaguely refreshing.

After the set, there were questions on Step Back, Ride Tiger, several on Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, a comment on Snake Creeps Down (as in the student was not aware it was a four count and found it interesting to be breathing at certain times) and a question on Crossed Hands. All in all, I found it a very rewarding session. It was definitely one of those sessions that makes me glad I chose to offer this morning practice thing in the first place.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 28

I gray mist hung in the air this morning on the way to practice. It was nice to feel a warmer temperature, but the possibility of the mist freezing is less enjoyable.

Six gathered for a 27 minute set this morning in HEC 110. After the set, there were questions on Wave Hands Like Clouds and Crossed Hands.

At the end of the time, a relatively new student and I worked on the staff set up through Carry Staff to Back and even a little into the next position.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 27

Seven gathered for a 25 minute called set this brisk but beautiful morning. There was a question before the set about keeping the tip of the tongue against the roof of the mouth and breathing and then after the set, another question related to the breathing of Wave Hands Like Clouds.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 26

Some would say it was cold this morning. With a temp of -1 F, I would be likely to concur.

Nine people (including another from my UW classes) risked exposure for a fairly pleasant 28 minute set this morning. One student made the observation that he found it quite helpful to remain in the correct posture throughout the set. He noted that it helped ease tension throughout the rest of the body.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 25

Six made it in for a 27-28 minute set. Charlie ran things as I was not there today.

There was a question before the set regarding cranial discomfort during the form and Charlie recommended making the physical connection between tongue and roof of mouth. This seemed to alleviate any discomfort for the individual asking. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 24

Six gathered for a pleasant warm-up followed by a seven minute uncalled set. After the set, we extended our standing meditation to almost six minutes. All-in-all, a nice way to start the day.