T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 321

For the last official gathering of this 2011 calendar year, four flew in from the snow for a warm up and 16 minute uncalled set facing south (instead of east). There were no questions so we parted with hopes of a good break and holiday season for each other.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 320

Upon (or very near, anyway) the solstice, three (mostly different) practitioners popped in for a 28 minute called set. This is the second to last set of the year.

There was a question and a demonstration of Fair Lady Works at Shuttles after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 319

Three popped in for a 17 minute set. Charlie led as I needed to be elsewhere.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 318

Four fled the foul freezing sidewalks and together we went through a 19 minute uncalled set. One student had a revelation regarding his Empty/Solid stance, but that was the extent of the questions and comments.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 317

Two tracked in to HEC 110 for a 16 minute uncalled set. I was a few minutes late and while I waited for anyone else to show up, I attempted to clean up some dust in front of the equipment closet (east wall near the south exit). After the set, we called it a morning and headed out.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 316

Four followed me in for a 23 minute called set. Two of the people there were students from the University classes. After the set, we worked on some push-hands for about 15 minutes and I worked with the remaining student on deflection and blocking.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 315

Four Finneganned in for a pleasant warm up but only three threw in their proverbial hats for a much smoother 21 minute uncalled set. Since no students looking for 'make-up' attendance attended, we decided to save the "called" set for another day, perhaps over the weekend.

After the set, I made comment on the height of the "outside middle block" in the second Turn and Kick with Heel in part two. My understanding is that it should only be the height of the shoulder.

This is my first attempt at using Blogger's (Google's) new posting interface. I have no complaints about it thus far. It seems to have what it needs in a fairly stark, no-frills way. I guess as long as it posts, it should be good. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 314

Three threw themselves in to a warm-up and a 21 minute set. The speed was a shade inconsistent between parts 1/2 and 3, but it was a good set none-the-less.

There were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 313

Three thunked in for a 27 minute uncalled set. Over all, it was quite nice.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 312

One warped in for a severely accelerated warm-up followed by a 3 minute and 15 second set. (The set was preceded by a 2 minute 'practice' prior to the real set. ;-)

After the set, I breathed and stood for about 5 minutes. Over-all, the practice was nice if a shade (understandably) underpopulated.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 311

Three throttled their way in from the (relatively speaking) balmy temperatures to flow a 21 minute uncalled set. There were a few micro-toads at the end of part 2 and the beginning of part 3, but we all kept each other on track.

After the set, one student requested a brief review of four-corner push-hands. Push, Press vs. Roll-back, Ward-off.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 310

Two toppled in to HEC 110 and started about 20 minutes late yet executed a very nice 19 minute set. There were brief comments following the set on execution of Part The Wild Horses Mane (foot pointing), Ward Off Left, (foot pointing and torso movement), and Punch Groin (thumb placement).

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 309

Two threaded their way through numerous parked pundits to practice a 23 minute set in HEC 110, although the warm-up was held in HEC 154 to allow other to practice in 110 briefly.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 308

Although I could not make it today, one (not Charlie) practiced a 27 (?) minute called set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 307

Two tromped in for a 4 minute 34 second set followed by about 10 minutes of standing.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 306

Although I could not attend, Charlie led three through a 29 minute set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 305

One walked in for a warm-up followed by an uncalled 3 minute 18 second set. After the set, standing meditation ensued for about 5 minutes.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 304

Five frenzied in from the snow to warm up and flow through a 26 minute called set. After the set, there were questions on Snake Creeps Down regarding stance depth, etc. I also asked the remaining three students to go through Grasp Bird's Tail so I could make adjustments. By-in-large, the did well.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 303

Four followed in for an 18 minute uncalled set. After the set, two had to fly while Charlie and I remained to practice staff. Three staff-sets later (in progressing vim and vigor), we wrapped up with about 9 minutes of standing meditation. It was a nice way to start the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 302

Five frolicked in out of the freezing ice pellets and into HEC 110 where a pleasant warm-up was had followed by a 21 minute uncalled set. After the set I commented on width of stance on one student after their completion of Single Whip. There were then questions about Strike Tigers, the Second and Third Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, Turn and Chop and subsequently White Snake Puts Out Tongue.

After the questions, we worked on some applied T'ai Chi, specifically using a "Wave Hands Like Clouds" technique to block some focus pads. It went well.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 301

Four started and three finished a 31 minute called set today. After the set, there were questions/observations on White Snake Spits out Tongue and Part the Wild Horses Mane.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2011 Day 300

Four flurried in for a 30 minute uncalled set this morning. After the set, there was a question the breathing for Carry Tiger, Return to Mountain and on Wave Hands Like Clouds. I went on to comment about the importance of staying low and level especially on the transitions between stances throughout the set.