T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 160

Three threw in for a nice warm-up and a 19 minute uncalled set. I focused on leading with the waist and found some very interesting bits between Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Perry and Punch and Ward Off Right.

After the set, there were again questions on the transition from Sweep Lotus into Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger. Progress is being made.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 159

Four found their way in for a 25 minute uncalled set. I asked the students to focus on their breathing today and promised the form would not be overly long.

Before the set, Charlie asked about Brush Left Knee, specifically the height of the brushing arm. I'm inclined to say lower dan tien height, but will confirm. After the set, there was a question on the foot work of Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger and another question on maintaining balance while executing kicks. I related Charlie's discovery of drawing the kicking leg up directly in front of the supporting leg and asked the student to play with it.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 158

Three again today for about 11 minutes. I was again not able to attend so Charlie led.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 157

Three today for about 22 minutes. I was not able to attend so Charlie led.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 156

Six slid in for a 27 minute called set today. I urged people to try to keep the posture and lead with the waist throughout the set.

After the set, one student inquired about my knuckle-conditioning exercises and asked if they were necessary for T'ai Chi. I indicated that they were not and were more a carryover from a different, hard-style martial art I used to study. I then proceeded to demonstrate some of the differences in styles.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 155

Six slipped in for a 32 minute uncalled set. I really focused on the meditative aspects of the set today which probably explains why it was longer than usual. Although I won't say I was disappointed with the outcome, I think I constrained my own "flow".

After the set, I spoke with one student about some physical limitations they are experiencing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 154

Six showed up this morning, though I was about 15 minutes late, due primarily to getting caught behind a train. Fortunately, Charlie was there to start warm-ups. After the last half of the warm-up, we executed a 29 minute uncalled set. After the set, one student wanted to see very specific positions for Grasp Birds Tail.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 153

Four flew in for an 8 minute uncalled set. The flow seemed pretty good, though I had intended the form to be a couple minutes longer and I did lose my place sometime around the second Fair Lady Works at Shuttles for a second or so..

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 152

Four flounced in for a 28 minute called set. It seemed that most there had a lot of issues moving slowly enough to avoid waiting at the end of each position. There were no questions at the end of the set.

Since it was raining yesterday morning, we did not meet as we had no room within to meet. We will not meet next weekend, either.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 151

At least 5 showed up today, but since the floors in the HEC 110 (and our alternate, 154) were being resurfaced, at least one chose to leave prior to our actual start of practice. We chose to practice outside today on the football field. It was actually quite nice. The set ran for the somewhat typical 27 minutes and other than a few issues regarding turning, felt really quite nice. There were no form-related questions after the set. - Tomorrow's practice will be weather-dependent.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 150

All but three chose to be elsewhere this morning. We got a bit of a late start as the building was locked when we arrived. Charlie was kind enough to call the number posted on the outside of the Allen Center but after waiting for a while, I started warm-ups out on the grass. About half-way through, they opened the building so after the warm-ups, we went in for a slightly less slow called 18 minute set. There were no questions before or after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 149

Four flocked to practice in the Allen Center today for a 27 minute set. Alas, that I was not one of them. I had 'timing' issues which lead to an abundance of sleep. Charlie was kind enough to fill in.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 148

Two (Charlie and I) trod upon the newly surfaced floor. It's very shinny, but now my shoes squeak. - We faced more toward the real south today and executed a 25 minute uncalled set. The flow was nice and other than one minor balance issue, I felt good about the form.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 147

One (Charlie) showed up for a 7 minute set. Alas, the sandman was too aggressive for me to join him.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 146

Four frothed in for a 30 minute called set this morning. Some folks still have a lot if difficulty with the idea of waiting until I'm done naming a position to actually start the position. Most folks have difficulty maintaining breath control during Snakes Creeps Down. - We did our set with the fans off today, not, I think, due to any conscious decision, but the one person who really likes the fans on wasn't there today. Although warmer, it wasn't bad at all and it made it much easier to call the set without yelling. There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 145

Four started and three completed a 24 minute uncalled set this morning. After the set, Charlie and I stayed to work on push-hands. It was mostly single-hand to noodling, but well enjoyed by both participants.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 144

Eight entered room HEC 110 for a 19 minute called set this morning. After the set, there were questions on the foot work of Grasp Bird's Tail, a potential "opening" while executing Step Forward Deflect Downward Perry and Punch, and some comments on Part The Wild Horse's Mane. After the set and the Q&A, we worked on staff. I had hoped to work on the beginning of part 3 with one student, but the two beginners needed to be taught Crossed Stance, Wheel Chop.

There was one "new" person there, but I am hesitant to believe she'll be back.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 143

Four for 35 or perhaps 30 or 32. Charlie led the set. I needed to be elsewhere.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 142

Five found their way in for a 33 minute uncalled set today. The practice felt very nice to me, though at the end of part two, I decided to decrease the slowness a bit, as we were already 18 minutes in. Had we continued at that pace, it would have been a solid 36 if not longer.

There were no set related questions, though one student wants more information on parts 2 and 3.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 141

Three threw caution to the wind and saved electricity by practicing today in the quickly warming sunshine. The temperature rose from 75 to almost 80 in the hour we were there. After the "warm-up", we all did a 28 minute uncalled set. The heat and humidity made it seem longer.

There were no set-related questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 140

Two tromped through the early morning humidity for an eight minute set. There were no set-related questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 139

Five frothed in for a 26 minute called set. After the set, there were questions on Golden Cock Stands on One Leg, Step Back and Repulse Monkey, the last Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch, Press, and Roll Back.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 138

One attended practice today, but since that one was quite tired from other activities, he chose to abstain from the form today and after waiting about 25 minutes to make sure no one else was actually going to show up, went home and had breakfast.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 137

Four fell into the oven of HEC 110 and roasted for a relatively pleasant 28 minute set. It felt way too fast for me, but I was tired and I usually enjoy the slower sets when I'm tired and sore.

After the set, there were questions, comments, and explanations about "leading with the waist". There were even a few demonstrations and possibly some learning. Following the Q&A, we went through a bit of staff. I extended the beginners knowledge through the second block and sweep and firmed up the intermediate's knowledge of the end of part 2. Perhaps more next time.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 136

Five followed my direction for a 22 minute called set. The room still had a bit of an unpleasant smell to it but others seemed to very much wish to practice inside today. We set up two fans to circulate the air which definitely helped, but the smell and the effects were still noticeable. Tomorrow will hopefully be better.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 135

Four flounced in for a cool and breezy warm-up followed by a flowing 21 minute uncalled set out on the south side field of the Allen Center. The room is much better, but still just a bit smelly. It was chilly and breezy outside, but I felt good after the set whereas I think I still would have had some form of headache had we practiced in the room.

There were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 134

Four blew in to the field in front of the Allen Center this morning for a 33 minute uncalled set. Some found the gusts of wind chilling but I thought they refreshing. Unlike yesterday during the day, I didn't have a lot of dirt blown into my eyes or lungs. We faced west this morning, working just to the east of the diagonal sidewalk leading to the Allen Center. We had a few spectators throughout the set, but no one was rude. Initially a robin and a rabbit watched for a while and later a member of the custodial crew was joined by several grounds crew members to surreptitiousness watch.

After the set, I briefly explained that during Turn and Sweep Lotus, ideally, the kicking leg is still up after the kick and is then quite intentionally and carefully set down for the Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger frame. This is obviously something to word toward as it can be quite tricky to both kick and maintain that level of balance.