T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 28

Three thronged in for a 13 minute called set. I called it since one of the students there has had very little experience with part 3. Since there were no questions after the set, we moved right into an almost 7 minute standing meditation. This was quite calming and relaxing for me and had there been no constraint on where I had to be and when I had to be there, I believe I could have gone much longer.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 27

Five flopped in for a 25 minute uncalled set. I was going for 23 but 25 is fairly close. - There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 26

Six slid into HEC 110 for a very nice 23 minute called set. We had a relatively inexperienced person from the UW classes so I chose to call the set for their benefit. After the set there were numerous questions on the use of various frames such as Needle at Sea Bottom, Snake Creeps Down, etc. We discussed various movements and subtleties (nose over navel) for 20+ minutes before calling it. Excellent way to start a day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 25

Three made it into HEC 110 for a 22 minute set. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 24

Four flopped in for a 24 minute called set today. It seemed to flow fairly well. After the set, there was one question on the breathing for Turn and Sweep Lotus.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 23

Three stopped by for an 18 minute uncalled set. I noticed that I felt much smoother both in the Temple Exercises and the form itself, probably from having done the set last night. I had balance/shoe issues with one of the kicks, but other than that, it was very nice.

There were questions on the transition between brush knees as to the intention of the hands. Could it be an arm-break, yes, but if so it is probably being executed with the elbow. There was also a question on the timing of the first Fair Lady Works at Shuttles. After the questions, I reviewed the hand to shoulder placement in the latter portion of Brush Knees (and other positions) and talked about opening the hips when performing Separate Feet. Over all, it was a good start to the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 22

According to reliable sources, there were four at practice today. Alas for I couldn't make it.

This evening, one popped in for a solo set lasting about 20 minutes. It was full of slow-downs and speed-ups as I faced north (instead of our normal east) and paused from time to time to critique the positions in which I could see my self in the mirror. I need some work. ;-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 21

Three stopped in for an 8 minute uncalled set this morning. The flow was fair but I wasn't balanced enough to do the set well in my new cloth-soled shoes. After the set, we all enjoyed about 7 minutes of standing meditation.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 20

Two trudged through the snow and gathered for a 19 minute called set. When we arrived, there was a young lady already in the room looking to use it (if we weren't) for a different activity. After the set, I found her and let her know that HEC 110 and 154 were likely available at that time of day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 19

Three gathered in HEC 110 for a 16 minute set. The room was much nicer than yesterday.

After the set, there were questions on the correcting of the back foot going from Push to Single Whip and a question on the hand placement in High Pat on Horse. I also spoke briefly about the importance of keeping the elbows down during Push.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 18

Three cooled their heels in HEC 110 today for a "warm" up. Considering the air temperature in the room was likely in the low 50's (Fahrenheit, of course), it took a bit of doing. After the chilling warm-up, we moved over to 154 where it was almost agreeable in temperature for a 29 minute uncalled set.

After the set, I discussed briefly the correct pointing of the feet in Single Whip and also the posture in positions like Punch Down and Punch Groin.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 17

Two tackled the cold and came in for a 9 minute uncalled set. The flow was pretty good.

Although there were no formal questions after the set, I did ask the student there to go through Snake Creeps Down into Step Forward to Seven Stars. The weight distribution was a bit off.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 16

Four froze their faces off but showed up anyway (eventually) for a 25 minute uncalled set. The set felt a bit choppy today and I wasn't the only one who felt that way. After the set, there were questions on Step Forward to Seven Stars and Step Back, Ride Tiger.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 15

Five froze (nearly) on their way in for a 29 minute called set. It was fairly nice except that everyone seemed to want to go more quickly than the calls. - There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 14

Three stopped by for an 8 minute uncalled set followed by about 5 minutes of standing meditation. It was a nice start to the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 13

Four flocked in to HEC 110 for a 13 minute uncalled set. After the set, there was conversation regarding modification of the positions depending on the "quickness" of need to execute said position. We left around 9 as at least two of us had to be elsewhere.

There is no formal practice tomorrow.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 12

Three thronged in to HEC 110 for a 27 minute uncalled set. After the set and a bit of conversation, Charlie and I worked on some Yang-style push-hands.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 11

Two trudged through the deepening snow for a 7 minute uncalled set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 10

Two traipsed through the snow and in for a 24 minute set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 9

Four flew in for a 22 minute set. Again, I was not able to make this session.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 8

Only one could make it today, and it wasn't me. The set practiced was something in the late 20 minute range.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 7

Five frolicked (well, some of them did) in for a 31 minute called set. No one there needed the called set, but I wanted to keep in practice.

After the set there was a question on the separation between Turn and Sweep Lotus and Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 6

Sunday drew two into the inner sanctum of HEC 110 for a 27 minute uncalled set. Since I wasn't feeling entirely myself, we called it after the set and went from there.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 5

Three snuck into the HEC 110 today and after a lovely warm-up, flowed through a 28 minute set.

After the set, there were questions on how the hands move during kicks and after. I demonstrated all of the kicks in part 2 and talked about 'eyebrowing'.

I also commented on the same student needing to correct the back foot in Single Whip.

A rather unusual experience was that I wore a new pair of cloth-soled shoes. They certainly helped me understand the importance of flattening the foot before shifting weight. I like them and plan to use them in future.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 4

Four again found their way in from icy sidewalks and darkling skies for a nice warm-up. Only three went through the set which was called (though that was for my practice, not theirs) which lasted 26 minutes. It was quite enjoyable though I kept wanting to do something other than what the form called for after almost every Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch sequence. Fortunately, I was able to call the correct position in each case and subsequently follow through. It was just a bit strange.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 3

Four fled the fog and found their way through a 29 minute set. After the set, there were questions on Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger (feet pointing) and something else which eludes me at the moment.

After the questions, I asked the folks there to go from Push into Single Whip. One student was doing it fairly correctly while another had issues with the height of the left hand (palm should be in line with the shoulder) and a third had too open a stance (right foot pointing south instead of south east). The corrections were good, I think, though quite minor.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 2

Two (Charlie and I) tramped in for a pleasant warm-up and a 4:15 uncalled set. I think we are both a little rusty  after the break. I know it felt a bit stilted for me, anyway.

After the set, we engaged in about 5 minutes of standing meditation. I found it very enjoyable, though I didn't desire anything much longer than what we did.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 1

Four found their way into the Allen Center this morning for a slightly quickened warm-up and an uncalled 20 minute set. Considering the room had some fairly notable paint fumes from facility services painting the south wall with a medium green paint, I was surprised that I didn't end up with a headache. As soon as we arrived, we started venting the room with the fans, so hopefully the fumes were dissipated sufficiently to prevent any long-lasting effects.

The set flowed fairly smoothly and other than a minor balance issue with one of the kicks, it seemed to go well. There were no questions after the set.