T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 272

Three threaded their way in on All Hallows Eve morning to indulge in a 25 minute called set. We faced actual north today instead of east. I found it a nice change of pace. It certainly shows a different side of the form.

After the set, there was a question on Needle at Sea Bottom and another on Turn and Chop. I also commented on turning the waist and being sure to look ahead of where the hands are going. Single Whip showed the issue most prominently.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 271

Five flapped in for a 20 minute called set. After the set I talked about the new (old) breathing for Snake Creeps Down. - I still need to watch Master Yang Jun for further understanding of this, but it's starting to gel.

There were also two "realizations" from two different practitioners. One was constantly bringing their foot too far back between many of the transitions causing them to often wobble on balance. The other realized that they were using too much Li in the arms.

It is really nice to hear that these people are coming to these understandings. It makes what I'm trying to do at least a bit more worth-while.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 270

Five filed in for a 27 minute uncalled set. After the set there were questions regarding linear tracking and if it is necessary. (It isn't in the fashion of that question, anyway.) I then made comments about coming out of Snake Creeps Down and the necessity of opening the left leg by turning the waist before moving fully into the next position and comments about the upper hand placement in White Crane Spreads Wings and Turn and Chop. At this point almost everyone else left. There was one final question regarding Snake Creeps Down breathing which helped me understand the breating much better than I had. As I had stated to the group earlier, the group sessions were just as helpful to me as the are to anyone else. Practice is good, but practicing in a veritable vacuum is less helpful.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 269

Four fell in for a 29 minute called set this morning.

After the set, one person had questions on the foot work getting into Strike Tiger Left and another question about something else, which I can't currently remember. Perhaps later.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 268

Four filed in for an 18 minute called set. The flow was pretty good, at least for me.

Before the set, a student from 201 asked several questions about various frames including Turn and Chop, High Pat on Horse, Separate Feet, Strike Tigers, and Turn and Kick with Heel.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 267

Six slipped in for a nice warm up and then five flowed into a 25 minute called set. We had a couple of folks from  the 201+ University class stop in, probably because tomorrow is the mid-term exam. Perhaps they will come more frequently, but I'm not going to hold my breath. ;-)

After the set, there was a question on the transition from Turn and Chop into Step Forward, etc.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 266

Four flamingoed in for a 16 minute uncalled set. I slowed it down this morning as we had a 201 student joining us. It was quite nice in flow and (by-and-large) timing.

Following the set, we all partook in about 6 minutes of standing meditation. All in all, an excellent way to start the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 265

Three again thwarted sleep and participated in a 23 minute called set. I intentionally brought it up close to the timing that Master Yang does in his exhibition form. I talked a little more about Turn and Sweep Lotus and the apparent breathing Master Yang is using. - There were no questions this morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 264

Three thought their way through a 26 minute uncalled set today. After the set, there was discussion of Turn and Sweep Lotus especially related to the breath count. There were also questions on Strike Tigers and Part the Wild Horses Mane transitions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 263

One arrived at the HEC about 8 minutes after the hour and stayed a bit to practice the staff. He was reminded of a valuable lesson regarding expectations.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 262

Two tapped in for a 17 minute uncalled but well flowing set followed by several minutes of push-hands. It was a nice way to start a Friday morning.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 261

Four started today and three finished a 26 minute uncalled set, though the fourth went much further in the form than yesterday.

Today there was a question on waist turns in Separate Feet. There is actually a considerable amount of waist movement in those two positions. I went on to talk about Push, specifically that one should have the hands turned to about 30 degrees thus bringing the little-finger edge of the hand to bear first. I also talked about Single Whip, both the full frame specifically about the mild seating and rotation of the wrists outward and then the short Single Whip coming out of Wave Hands Like Clouds, specifically the breath-count from one to the other.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 260

Four started and three finished a 31 minute uncalled set this morning. Although no questions were raised, I did talk a bit about turn and chop and Strike Tigers with special attention to the raised arm. I also talked about "drooping" the elbows while sinking the shoulders and demonstrated why this is so important from a martial point of view.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 259

Five started and four finished an 8 minute set this morning. Following the set, the four remaining found time for about 6 minutes of standing meditation. It was quite nice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 258

Three thought their way in for a 27 minute called set. There were no questions and I was too focused on my own set to offer corrections for others today.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 257

(No practice yesterday due to lack of room availability.) Two traipsed in for an 18 minute called set. There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 256

Five started and four finished a 28 minute called name/called breath set. One of my students wanted to record this. I'm hoping for a copy both pre and post-production. Although his desire was for the audio, he used a small video camera so it should be interesting to see.

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 255

Four flippered in out of the rain for a 27 minute uncalled set. During the set I "discovered" some very interesting rooting occurring at the end of positions in bow-stance. It was interesting because it was coming more from the waist turn and less from the weight shift. Part the Wild Horses Mane lent itself quite well to this discovery.

After the set, there were no questions so I demonstrated why it is important to "droop" the elbows. The lesson was well taught.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 254

Two rocketed in for a 4 minute, 10 second set this morning. - I can honestly say that I felt several of the positions to be less than adequate, but much of the set felt very good.

After the set, Charlie and I completed 5 minutes of standing meditation. - It was very relaxing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 253

Charlie led two through a 10 minute set this morning. Alas, I could not make it.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 252

Five started and four ended an 18 minute called set. The request was for a 22 minute set, but I sped up part 2.

I don't recall any questions at the moment.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 251

Three thought T'ai Chi a good idea this morning and executed a pleasant 24 minute uncalled set. After the set, there was a question on Turn and Sweep Lotus regarding foot positioning. (Empty-Solid stance, good. Cat stance, less so.) I then reviewed the transition between White Snake Puts Out Tongue and Step Forward, etc. Finally, I reminded people to "droop" their elbows and demonstrated the reason. - All-in-all, it was a good session.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 250

Three threw in for a 25 minute uncalled set in HEC 110. Before the set, there was a question on Separate Feet for which the answer, according to the student in question, assisted him greatly in both understanding of the position and in balance while executing.

After the set, Charlie and I ran through the staff form a couple times but then vacated the room as there was a young lady waiting to use the facilities.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 249

Charlie led 5 through a 27(ish) minute called set. Alas, for I could not attend.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 248

Four flung themselves into a 29 minute, uncalled set this morning. We changed our pointing to the actual south wall. It felt really good to me. I just had to make sure not to go too slowly.

After the set, no questions were raised so I reiterated the transition of the lead foot for Lift Hands Step Forward both getting into the position and ending the position. I contrasted it to the foot work for Needle at Sea-bottom, and explained why you would want a longer base in the latter. I then went on to talk about the initial waist-turn in Apparent Closeup. I noted all of these positions requiring "work" for at least some of the students there today.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 247

Three traced the form with their shoes for a 31 minute set. And speaking of shoes, mine started out tight but seem to have loosened. New shoes always makes life a little more interesting, at least for a while.

Although there were no questions after the set, I did take opportunity to remind those there that the hips should be folded through out Needle at Sea-bottom and Fan Through Back. At least one and I think two were doing this position incorrectly. I also reiterated the breath-count for Wave Hands Like Clouds into Single Whip. It seemed to be getting a little short in places.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 246

Three thought it good to come in this morning for a 5 minute and 15 second set. My shoes were too slippery for really good grip, but I kept my footing and balance throughout. After the set, we did just over 5 minutes of standing meditation. My theoretical goal is to make this (for me) the 40 breath meditation and see how long I can make it.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 245

Five (not including me) fostered a 30 minute (approximate) called set by Charlie. I wish I could have been their to field questions, etc.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 244

Four fletched in for a 28 minute uncalled set. The set felt really good today, smooth, balanced, focused. I think I like practicing everyday. ;-)

After the set, there were two questions. Of them, I only recall the second one, which was more a comment on the fact that today, the student had balance only on one leg and not on the other. - This seems to be a common phenomenon in both my personal and observational experience.

Post Q&A, Charlie and I pushed some hands.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2010 Day 243

Two trotted in for a 20 minute uncalled set this morning. Following the set, we pushed a little hands and left by 9.

There was one question on the application of the transition between Ward Off Left and Ward Off Right.