T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 299

Five froze in for a 29 minute uncalled set. There were questions after the set regarding Fair Lady Works at Shuttles.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 298

Three were led by Charlie for a 13 minute uncalled set. I was not able to be present.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 297

Three thimbled in for a 17 minute uncalled set. After the set, I chatted briefly about the importance if hip compression in positions like Needle at Sea Bottom (transition) and Fan Through Back (beginning). Before the set, I was asked if there was anyway we could start practicing actual blocks and the timing needed to deflect a real punch.

Occasionally, I get the feeling I'm on the wrong day. :-p

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 296

Three thudded in to HEC 110 for a delightful 19 minute called set. After the set, I chatted briefly about the importance if hip compression in positions like Needle at Sea Bottom (transition) and Fan Through Back (beginning). I did offer to work with those present on some blocks, but there didn't seem to be much interest.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 295

Two tromped in from the drizzle to go through an unusual warm-up followed by a 17 minute called set. No further practice after that.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 294

Three growled their way through a 20 minute uncalled set. After the set, I spoke briefly on the timing of the weight shift in Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger. This was for the benefit of both students.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 293

Three threw themselves into an 8 minute set this morning. After the set, we enjoyed about 7 minutes of standing meditation. - It was very nice this morning. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 292

Three thlipped in for a 26 minute called set. Some among us seemed to want to go much faster than the 26, but I held it there as best I could. - There were no T'ai Chi related questions.

There was no formal T'ai Chi practice yesterday.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 291

Charlie and I popped in to the HEC 110 for a sub-four minute set. It was about 3 minutes and 57 seconds or so. I found I couldn't focus as well as I would have liked. Executing the set that quickly reminded me very much of Taekwondo, and some of the more interesting experiences there in.

After the set, we pushed a fair amount of hands and left around 9.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 290

One (Charlie) warped in for a 23 (ish) minute set. I was not able to attend due to familial duties.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 289

Three throttled a 23 minute uncalled set this morning. We faced north and realigned into a line, each behind the next with me standing at the back. It was different and certainly afforded a better view of some of the positions.

After the set, there was a question on the last Turn and Kick with Heel. I then proceeded to comment on the importance of sinking the elbows, especially in Press and I also commented on the breathing for the transitional arm-break right before Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry and Punch. It seemed like it was being rushed on occasion.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 288

Two tooled in for a 29 minute uncalled set. It was very nice. I experimented with some slightly different "breathing" (aka energy work) and found a delightful sensation in my hands which had been to this point, illusive and seemingly random. I will endeavor to remember to try it again tomorrow.

I had only two minor suggestions for my lone student, one in Strike Tigers and one in Wave Hands Like Clouds.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 287

Two tromped in for a 4 minute 5 second set. After the set, we did some very pleasant standing meditation for about 8 minutes. Had the requirements of the external world not been present, I am confident both of us could have stood a lot longer.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 286

Four fell in for a 20 minute called set. We turned and faced west instead of east (though still south as far as the form was concerned). After the set, I commented on one student having mild issues with Ward Off Left and one student who was stepping too high.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 285

Three thumped in to the HEC 110 for an 18 minute uncalled set.

Before the set, I worked briefly with one student to cement his understanding of Four-Corner Push Hands. After the set, there were questions on Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, Turn and Chop, and Single Whip.

After most of the Q&A, I also commented on the importance of "drooping" or pointing the elbows downward. I also commented on my better understanding of Snake Creeps Down.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 284

Three thought it wise to engage in a 21 minute uncalled set in the actual Allen Center. Normally we'd be in the HEC on Saturday, but that room was otherwise occupied.

Again, I chose to stand in the rear and found several talking points suitable for discussion after the set. These included a correction on at the end of Single Whip for stance width, a correction on the arms for Lift Hands and Step Forward (arm-pits must stay open, but arms not up too far) and then a potential correction on Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, but I need to check a higher source on that one. We also engaged in some lively discussion following the set. It was a good way to start the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 283

Three for a 19 minute called set. We switched places again. After the set, I discussed Ward Off Left and the first Turn and Kick with Heel.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 282

Three for 23. I stood behind again but did not call the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 281

Four flurried in from the flurries for a 19 minute uncalled set. I had some coffee prior to the set and I must say, I didn't like the effect. I was too preoccupied with my own internal oddities to note issues with other folk's form and there were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 280

Two toppled in for a 12 minute uncalled set. I, unfortunately, could not attend for various reasons but Charlie was kind enough to lead the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 279

Three threw in for a 26 minute called set. I stood in back so I could see from a different angle. I found it interesting from several aspects. There were several corrections I offered to the other two folks there, but I also noticed I had no compulsion to follow some of the interesting choices (especially in the speed and flow departments) made by one of the students. I plan to experiment with this further.

The big issue I talked about was stance.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 278

Three throttled in for a 17 minute called set.

After the set, there was one question on the transition between Lift Hands, Step Forward and White Crane Spreads Wings.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 277

Two torqued in to HEC 110 for a ~4:32 form after a very pleasant warm-up. The need for speed seems to be the focus of late. I think it's time to slow it down again.

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 276

Two traipsed in for a 4:15 second, rocket-sled-on-rails, snap-daddy of martial techniques set today followed by several minutes of aggressively probing push-hands. It was a delicious way to start the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 275

Two trudged in for a 23 minute set. Alas, that I could not join them. My alarm clock was acting oddly, or perhaps I just turned off my ears so that it didn't wake me. It's often difficult to tell.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 274

Two toppled in for a 4:33 set. Just before the set, I demonstrated Tae Guk Il Jang. It seemed to add some real explosive energy to my set. :-)

After the set, Charlie and I did about 5 minutes of pushing hands. This was also very nice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 273

Three thumped in for an 8 minute uncalled set. Following the set, we participated in 5 minutes of standing meditation.