T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 218

Two tromped in for a 28 minute uncalled set today. It was a really nice set. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 217

Charlie executed a solo set today lasting about 5 minutes. Alas, for I needed to be elsewhere again.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 216

Two toppled in (eventually) this morning for an accelerated warm-up followed by a 5 minute 15 second uncalled set. Charlie and I had fun with it this morning and it really felt quite good. The flow was quite enjoyable.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 215

Two tramped in for a 32 minute uncalled set. After the set, we engaged in a small amount of Yang-style-specific push-hands and ended with a couple run-throughs of the staff form. All-in-all, a very nice way to start the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 214

Charlie and I arrived a bit late today in HEC 110 as the lot was full and the street was parked full all the way down past the cut-through to Debot. Upon arrival, I noticed the floor was quite dirty so I ran a dust-mop over most of it before our warm-up and 16 minute set.

After the set, Charlie and I worked on about 25 minutes of push-hands. It was very enjoyable. We ended with a  couple of quick staff sets before walking back to our respective vehicles.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 213

Four flopped in for a 27 minute called set. It was good to be back, even if I was still a bit sleep deprived.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 212

Charlie ran a solo set for 23 minutes.

I tried to get up in time, but I didn't get home until about 1 AM and couldn't sleep immediately after getting home.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 211

Charlie led one other for a 26 minute set.

I found time to practice a partial set in Detroit airport and had fun walking the wrong way on a walker-assist conveyor belt. Having a conversation with someone while they're standing still and I'm walking on said belt was very amusing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 210

Charlie ran a solo set for 6 minutes.

I used T'ai Chi principles to help the cable tech pull cable.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 209

Although I could not attend, Charlie led three through a 22 minute set.

Very late on Monday/very early on Tuesday, I found a vacant lot in Dover and after a lengthy warm-up including a number of non-T'ai Chi and very accelerated T'ai Chi movements. I had actually started a set in a laundromat while waiting for the dryer to finish, but I only finished part 1 there for various reasons. After the warm-up, I started with part 2, went through part 3 and then went back and did part 1 again. It was a solid hour (at least) of warm-up and practice not counting the Laundromat and I felt quite good after. This seemed a better place to practice on NH than on the side of a ridge, energetically speaking.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 208

Four came in for a 28 minute called set. It was quite enjoyable.

There were no questions.

There will be no formal practice tomorrow or Sunday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 207

Four found their way to to the Allen Center today for an 18 minute uncalled set. The one which did not finish the set yesterday finished today. I hope the remaining road to her recovery is smooth and even.

Although there were no questions after the set, I did take a moment to reiterate the breathing for Kick With Left Heel (4 count) and Snake Creeps Down, asking the students to keep an eye on breath control as they go down. It is very easy to expel all your breath too quickly which will change the speed of the position considerably.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 206

Three threw in for a 19 minute uncalled set. The return of one member after a month or so absence was quite nice to see, though she was only able to go up through about Punch Down. At least it is a solid start. We'll see if it continues.

There were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 205

Two toppled in for a pleasant warm-up and a full set executed in just over 5 minutes. - I found Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (especially the second and fourth) to be particularly rewarding today. A circular flow of arms, turning waist, and powerful yet grounded completion. Yummy.

After the set, we did about 6 minutes of standing meditation. It was a little different for me today; not bad in the slightest, just different. I need to contemplate this before I could even hope to express it.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 204

Four flopped in for a 27 minute called set this morning. All in all, it was quite nice. I did lose focus once on the second Golden Cock, but recovered quickly enough.

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 203

Three made it to HEC 110 today. I was able to return and lead the group in a nice warm up followed by a 27 minute uncalled set. Charlie and I worked briefly on the staff after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 202

Two came into the HEC 110. Charlie acquired a key from the strength center and the small group was able to practice a 22 minute set. Again, I was not there, but this was due primarily to the radio station I normally wake up to being off the air. *shrug* Oh well. I'm sure I needed the sleep.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 201

Two tromped in for a 26 minute set. I was not able to attend due to familial obligations.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 200

Three threw in for a 30 minute uncalled set. The flow and breathing seemed to go quite well today. I skipped "forcing" the breathing like yesterday and just went with the flow. I really liked the results.

There were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 199

Two toppled in for a 30 minute uncalled set. - I tried using the metronome method (no actual metronome) to count and hold a given speed. (This is something approximating a 3 second count per breath count.) I was not entirely successful. I think I'll have to bring in the metronome and chat with my instructor more about breathing.

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 198

Two tromped in for a 4 minute 40 second uncalled set. After the set, Charlie and I enjoyed 5 minutes of standing meditation. All facets of the morning were enjoyable.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 197

Three came in for a 30 minute set. - I was unable to attend due to other duties, but Charlie was kind enough to lead the group.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 196

Three stopped in for a 21 minute uncalled set. The flow seemed pretty good, though the pace was vaguely inconsistent.

There were no technical questions after the set, just a few pleasant observations about T'ai Chi in general and Fist Under Elbow specifically. - We left HEC 110 around 9 AM choosing not to extend our time there.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 195

Seven swept in to HEC 110 for a slightly late-starting warm-up and 28 minute call set. We started late because the parking lot was being resurfaced and after we had all parked there, the folk resurfacing the lot asked us to move our vehicles.

Before the set, there was a question about stance and the comfort of the bow stance. The student in question likes to point his lead toe in slightly but his knee matches so it should be mostly acceptable. After the set, there were questions on Needle at Sea Bottom into Fan Through Back and Lift Hands-Step Forward.

After the set, we worked briefly on staff.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 194

Four flopped in for a 27 minute called set.

After the set, there were questions about Close and general height of foot placement during frame transition. Overall, it was a good morning practice. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 193

Two toppled in for a 20 minute to-do (or set, as we like to call it ;-). I commented about the need to keep the shoulders not behind the vertical line of the torso but there were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 192

The same three from yesterday came in again today for a 37 minute uncalled set. It was only 37 minutes because I accelerated the set twice in part 3 (at Wave Hands Like Clouds both times). Had I not done so, it would have likely been at least 42 minutes long.

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 191

Three stopped in for a pleasant warm up and 8 minute uncalled set. The flow was nice, though I chafed a bit to move a bit less slowly.

After the set, we completed about 6 minutes of standing meditation. The energy flow was better today than often in past as was my ability to concentrate.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 190

Four fell in for a warm-up and a 27 minute called set. There were no questions after the set.