Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 117

Three threaded their way in for a 28 minute uncalled set this morning. After the bare-hands set, two remained to trip through a 6 minute sword set before leaving for the rest of the day's activities.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 116

Three tipped into HEC 154 for an 8 minute uncalled set followed by a couple of practices of the sword form. There was a question on Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (bare-hands) and numerous questions on the sword. I was able to teach Heavenly Horse Flies Over the Waterfall.

Following the teaching, two remained for a saunter through the whole of the set, including instruction on Shoot the Wild Goose.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 115

Three threw in to HEC 154 for a 24 minute called set, today. After the called set, all three of us went through the Sword form up through Shooting Star Chases the Moon. We then added Heavenly Steed Flies Over the Waterfall and Raising the Curtain. Finally, one other and I went through the whole of the sword form. This was a good way to start the morning.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 114

Two tromped in for a 15 minute uncalled nearly-silent set today. I found it quite interesting to note that the only sound was from my right knee popping on some of the kicks and the nylon of my pants brushing itself from time to time. It must have been the conversation about ninjas before the warm-up. ;-)

After the bare-hands set, the two of us ran through (no pun intended) the sword form and briefly reviewed the left hand on Lion Shakes Its Head and Tiger Holds Its Head.

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Practice should be in HEC 154 tomorrow and our advanced T'ai Chi class will also continue in 154 for the next two Wednesdays at the standard time.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 113

Two tiptoed in for a 25 minute called set today. After the set, there was a question about Fist Under Elbow after which I talked about keeping the hips compressed, leaning the torso forward those few degrees to keep from leaning back in certain positions.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 112

Three threw in today (including a former student of mine from 4 years ago) for a 24 minute called set. Following the set, I discussed just a few of the changes since this student last studied with me.

After the bare-hands set, all three stayed but only two practiced the whole of the sword form.

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We had our last official sword class this evening. It went fairly well culminating in Shooting Star Chases the Moon. I have hopes and plans of continuing the class in a different location for the next two Wednesday evenings as well as on the weekend.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 111

Only one showed up this morning for a 21 minute set. Regrettably, I didn't make it.

The evening class was also quite small with only one attending. I emailed my supervisor requesting a cancel on this 8 week session. After the bare-hands practice (which ran late in getting the one student up to the Single Whip just before Wave Hands Like Clouds in part 2), there was a bit of sword practice.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 110

Two tromped in for a 24 minute uncalled set. Following the set, we moved through a sword practice up through Heavenly Steed Flies Over the Waterfall, with review on the last three positions.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 109

Three stopped into HEC 110 for a 23 minute uncalled set followed by sword practice up through Push the Boat with the Current.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 108

Three threaded their way through the HEC to room 110 for a warm up and a 22 minute uncalled set. Following the set, there was a question about Lift Hands and Step Forward.

Following the bare-hands set, we reviewed the last several positions we learned in the sword form and then went back and ran through the set. Further questions and review ensued followed by the learning of Dusting in the Wind by two and then Push the Boat With the Current by one.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 107

Four filed in for a 24 minute uncalled set. Post set, we discussed Bend Bow Shoot Tiger and Turn and Sweep Lotus.

Following the Q&A, three remained for a single run through the sword form up through Compass. Perhaps more tomorrow.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 106

Two traipsed in for a 17 minute set followed by several minutes of sword practice including one run up through Compass and a revisit of several of the last few learned positions.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 105

Two made it in this morning for a 21 minute set. Alas, that I was not one of them.

Sword class this evening went quite well. We were able to make it up through Compass.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 104

Two toppled in for a 6 minute set followed by sword practice and about 11 minutes of standing meditation. It was a good start to the day.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 103

Two came in for about a 22 minute set. I couldn't make it.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 102

Four flapped into HEC 110 for a 5 minute uncalled set. The warm-up was also quite short. Following the set, we worked further on the sword form initially up through the second Lion Shakes its head and then up through Mustang Jumps Over the Ravine.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 101

Three trooped in to HEC 110 this morning for a 20 minute uncalled (but not uninterrupted) set. Early on in part 3, three people trooped through the room trying to get into 154 but that door was locked.

Before the set we discussed some of the changes in positions, specifically Double Wind to the Ears (seat the wrists), Turn and Sweep Lotus (weight distribution, left arm movement) and Bend Bow Shoot Tiger (right hand position). After the set, we went through the latter two of those again.

After the bare-hands section, we moved on to work on the sword form. I re-taught Black Dragon Whips Its Tail and Green Dragon Comes Out of the Water. Later, I taught Tiger Holds Its Head and Wild Horse (Mustang) Jumps Over the Ravine.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 100

Phew! I finally made it back to morning practices today. Between various trips and conferences and trying to get used to getting up early again, it's been a while.

There were two this morning for 22 minute uncalled set. I was able to maintain my head up, my gaze on the horizon throughout almost all of the form. I could tell a significant difference in energy flow already by the first brush left knee.

After the set, Charlie and I went through the sword form up through the second Lion Shakes Its Head and then reviewed the positions after Birds Lodge in the Forest.

This was an excellent way to start the day!

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 99

Seeking data.

At least I made it to my University class today. After the class, I was also able to get in a good sword practice.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 98

Seeking data.

Sword class this evening went well though we were shy a few participants. We did make it up through the second Lion Shakes Its Head, though the latter of those will need a re-visit on the footwork.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 97

Two came in for about 12 minutes of set today.

At least I made it to my University class today as well as my Y evening class. It was nice to be back and teaching. Strange, but nice.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 96

Seeking data. (No practice yesterday on the 8th of April. It is Easter, after all. ;-) )

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 95

Charlie practiced a 7 minute set in HEC 110 followed by sword, some qi gong, and meditation.

No formal practice tomorrow on the 8th of April.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 94

Seeking data.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 93

Three made it in for a 24 minute set. (I'm really glad people continue to practice even when I'm not there.)

Although I didn't get a complete set in, I did get in a nice warm-up which "coincidentally" (through no conscious thought on my part) coincided with the warm-up being done in my University class.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 92

Two made it for a 24 minute set.

Although I was off and traveling again, I did manage a nice mid-twenty-something bare-hands set in the Baltimore airport. No one called security on me, but I got a lot of strange looks and a couple of people changed seats to get away from me. *shrug* Oh well.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 91

Two for an 11 minute set.

At least I made my University class and my Y class in the evening.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 90

Two for a 27 minute set.

I was driving back from Michigan for much of the day. - I did stop at a grassy spot just outside of a combination Wendy's/Truck-stop where I was able to do much of the warm-up followed by some rooting exercises on a narrow ridge of concrete.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 89

Two for a 16 minute set in HEC 110.

Meanwhile near Detroit, MI, I continued to be in seminar with Grand Master Yang Jun. Today we worked on the 49 position bare-hands form. This was interesting, not so much because I plan to teach the 49 but because the positions are largely the same and some corrections ensued. I will, of course, share these once they have been studied and digested.