T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 57

Only two slopped their way through the water-retentive snow, the ice, the rain, and the wind this morning. We ploughed through a 14 minute uncalled set and then I taught of bit of push-hands.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 56

Three dropped in for a 10 minute uncalled set followed by about 10 minutes of standing meditation and a tiny amount of sword.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 55

Apparently three stopped in for something along the lines of a 24 minute set. I was unable to attend.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 54

Four found their way into HEC 110 for a 19 minute uncalled set. Following the set, all four of us worked on the sword form for a time, probably close to half an hour. As was noted by one of my students, there are numerous complexities.

Following sword, Charlie and I worked on some Yang-style push-hands which evolved into some noodling. Quite enjoyable.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 53

Five forwarded themselves into HEC 110 for a 16 minute called set. We were also joined by one of my university students from the 200 class.

After the set, three of us remained and worked on sword.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 52

Three popped in for a 16 minute uncalled set. Following the set, Charlie and I worked on a bit of sword practice and I managed one full set of sword before dashing off to work.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 51

Five fell in for a 20 minute (as requested) uncalled set. There were no questions after the set, but I did remind people to droop their right elbow especially during Press. I also re-verbalized the breathing count and placement for Snake Creeps Down.

After the set, I worked with two of my sword students from the previous evening helping them to remember the last position we covered. After the training bit, I went through the set myself. Definitely getting better and feeling better. :-)

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 50

Five fell in for our 50th get together this year. After a 27 minute uncalled set, I made comments about keeping the right elbow "drooped" during Press. There was also a question on the hands during Golden Cock.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 49

Four flopped in for a 4.5 minute uncalled set followed by about 9 minutes of standing meditation. I admit, I was distracted. Care and concern for another seems a double-edged sword.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 48

Four fell in for a 25 minute uncalled set today. I believe there was a question after the set, but that's a while ago, now and I don't recall what it was.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 47

Four found their way into HEC 110 for a 21 minute called set. I reduced the length a bit due to other's other activities and so we could have time to examine certain aspects of the sword form. After the set, I commented on height of step and expounded on some tips for successfully staying with the group during a called set.

After that, the other three stayed to begin learning sword, though one was just watching sans "tool". We managed to open the form and mostly get through Three Rings Circle the Moon. - Based on initial results, there should be a tremendous amount of learning going on, especially for the instructor. :-p

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 46

Five flew in to HEC 110 for a called set of indeterminate length. Alas, I was not one of those there due to familial obligations.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 45

Three stopped in for a 25 minute uncalled set. It flowed nicely, though it felt less slow to me than what the time reported. - There were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 44

Five flopped in for a 32 minute called set today. Before the set, there was a question on Turn and Sweep Lotus while after the set, there were questions on Press, Grasp Bird's Tail, and Step Up to Grasp Bird's Tail.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 43

Three stopped in for a 28 minute uncalled set facing true (or as true as the building walls allow) south. There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 42

Three popped in for a nice warm up, a seven minute uncalled set, and almost 11 minutes of standing meditation. All-in-all, it was a very nice way to start the day.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 41

Four found their way in for a 22 minute uncalled set back in the Allen Center. There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 40

Five found their way into HEC 110 for a 20 minute called set. There were comments on keeping the stance wide enough and a question on how straight a knee should be during weight-shifts in Bow Stance.

After the set and Q&A, Charlie and I ran through three moderate sets of the staff and I stayed to practice sword.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 39

Four found shelter in HEC 110 from the bitter cold and unpleasant windchill for a 24 minute called set. Our new student from earlier in the week joined us again.

After the set, there were numerous questions which I did my best to answer.

After Q&A, Charlie and I did a couple of staff sets and after that, I stuck around and practiced sword for about 90 minutes.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 38

Five fled the fresh snow for a 27 minute called set. Two found an unpleasant slab of very slippery ice under the snow on the way in. Fortunately, I believe the damage to be fairly minor in both cases. It must mean more practice is needed by all. ;-)

There were no questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 37

Six slept less than they probably could have in favor of coming to morning practice. We completed a warm-up followed by a 24 minute called set. I called the set as we had one new gentleman there. There were no set related questions after the set.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 36

Three were present for an 18 minute set. Alas, I was not one of them.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 35

Two toppled in for a warm up and a 4 minute 45 second set. My cloth-soled shoes make this pace very interesting.

After the set, Charlie and I completed almost 12 minutes of standing meditation. It was really quite nice. I think I could have gone another 8 or so. At some point when I have more free time, I'll have to try it.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 34

Four fled the confines of the great outdoors finding refuge back in the Allen center, studio B for an uncalled 31 minute set. It seemed as if the slower than usual pace caused a few some level of angst but everyone survived and some even enjoyed the set. There were no questions.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 33

Three threw in for a 24 minute uncalled set in HEC 110. After the set, there was a question on hand placement in Rollback.

To conclude the meeting, I showed Charlie some hardware and we left it at that.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 32

Five flung forth into a slightly delayed warm-up and then a 17 minute uncalled set. After the set, I made corrections on the pointing of the back foot for Single Whip, examined, commented and corrected the posture in both White Crane Spread's wings and the ensuing Brush Left Knee Twist Step.

After corrections of the bare-hands, four of us went through much of the first and second sections of the staff set followed by a completion of the staff set for Charlie and myself.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 31

Three stopped in for a warm-up and a 21 minute uncalled set. No one there wanted or needed the set called so we skipped it. Perhaps tomorrow or Sunday.

I feel like I rushed part three a little. At least one of the other students really prefers a faster set and it is difficult not to yield to their being constantly ahead. :-p That, of course, would be the benefit of the called set in this case. - There were no questions pertinent to the form.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 30

Three throttled the freezing fog and flowed in for a 25 minute uncalled set facing actual south. The change of perspective was nice at least for me as it gave me opportunity to examine numerous positions in the mirrors that I normally only see from the side, if at all.

There was one question on Fair Lady Works at Shuttles.

T'ai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 29

Three came in for an 18 minute set. Alas that I could not make it again this Wednesday.