Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 203

Four flooded the Allen Center for a 5 minute uncalled set. Following the bare-hands set, We flowed into a 5 minute sword set with post-set questions on the last half-dozen frames. Though we were running a little late, we still took 10 minutes for standing meditation.

I noticed today that at just after the 10 minute mark, my body really started to relax. I think I could have stood for another 5 to 10 minutes this morning. It was very nice.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 202

Two tubed in to the Allen Center for a 22 minute uncalled set. Following the bare-hands set, we ran through one sword set followed by a couple corrections.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 201

Two topped off the weekend with a 27 minute uncalled set in HEC 110. Following the bare-hands set, both remained for a slower and a less slow sword set with a few focused positions here and there.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 200

Two tapped into HEC 110 for a 13 minute uncalled set followed by a couple of runs at the sword. There were several parts that were repeated to good outcome.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 199

The same two from yesterday tried and executed a 22 minute set. I'll get there soon, I promise. ;-)

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 198

Two tackled a 24 minute set. Alas, that I was not there to join them.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 197

Four frolicked (?) in for a 24 minute uncalled set. Following the bare-hands, three remained for sword practice with follow-up on the corrections for Black Dragon Wraps Around the Pole and Present the Ivory Tablet.

Today marks the 3 year anniversary of actual 'group' practice. It was celebrated accordingly with the above practice.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 196

Two trod their way in for a very nice warm-up, a 4.5 minute set, about 10 minutes of standing meditation and a slower and more precise look at the sword form. It was a very nice way to start the day.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 195

Upon the three-year anniversary of starting this BLOG, two trickled in for a 23 minute uncalled set. It was really quite a nice set in my opinion.

After the bare-hands set, Charlie and I went through the sword form in full and then focused on a few positions near the end.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 194

Two tramped in to find HEC 110 in significant disarray. It would appear that some unsupervised basket-ball campers got in and caused the mess. Yesterday, the doors were open when we arrived and so I left them that way. Today when we left, I made sure they were shut and locked.

The set was a somewhat more traditional 22 minutes today, uncalled. Following the bare-hands set, Charlie and I drove through the sword form a couple of times before spending time on the footwork for Cartwheel Right and a reminder of the more correct method of doing the last half-dozen or so positions. The reminder was of equal value for both of us.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 193

Three threaded through basket-ball camp infested hallways into HEC 110 today for an 18 minute called set. I found it quite enjoyable if a bit less slow than usual. There is power in me yet. My race is not yet run. ;-)

Following the bare-hands set, all three remained for practice on the sword focusing primarily on the beginning and the end, but with at least one visit to something around the Cartwheels.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 192

Two torqued in for a 5 minute uncalled set followed by a couple runs at the sword and few questions on Present the Ivory Tablet. The sword practice was much more precise today and felt much better.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 191

Two toppled in for a 20 minute uncalled set. Following the bare-hands set, I remained for a quick and rather sloppy sword set.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 190

Three thumped in under thunder clouds for a 22 minute called set. Following the bare-hands set, all three remained for a sword set with some comments and corrections afterward. Then two were left to review the first section up through the second Little Dipper.

Due to unusual circumstances, there was no practice yesterday or Monday.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 189

One warped in for about 5 minutes of standing and listening to the various noises of a 'completely empty' section of the HEC followed by a lengthy warm-up and a meticulous sword set.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 188

Three thumped in to HEC 110 for a 15 minute called set. After the set, two remained for a double-dive into the sword set. Numerous positions were examined.

Due to unusual circumstances, there was no practice yesterday.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 187

One went in for a warm-up, about 5 minutes of standing, a 5 minute Taekwondo-ized set, and a couple of passes at the sword form. The first pass at the sword form after the bare-hands set was a mess. Mixing the energies like that is something I'm not accustomed to doing, but after a moment to calm the aggression, I was able to execute the second pass at the sword form smoothly and relatively precisely.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 186

Two tuned in for a 23 minute uncalled set. After the bare-hands set, there was one question on Strike Tigers which I clarified. This was something that had been changed in my teaching since the last conference.

Following the bare-hands set, I remained to practice sword.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 185

Two trotted in for a 6.5 minute bare-hands set followed by a run at the sword form. Following sword, we both did about 10 minutes of standing meditation. I played with some different energy points and found I was better grounded at the end of the standing. This warrants further investigation.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 184

Three thronged back into the Allen Center this morning for a 22 minute uncalled set. With no questions on the bare-hands set, two remained for a called (mostly correctly) sword set. The only question the sword set was a revisit of Three Rings Circle the Moon.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 183

Two threaded in to HEC 110 for a 23 minute uncalled set. Following the bare-hands practice, we went through the sword form twice, the second a shade less slow than the first.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 182

Four floundered into HEC 110 for a rather damp and sticky 22 minute called set. Following the set, we talked a bit about the transition from Push to Single Whip (including demonstrations) and about the importance of compressing the hips and leaning forward slightly.

After the bare-hands portion, all four remained for sword practice. We paid special attention to positions after Raising the Curtain.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 181

Two tromped in for a 21 minute uncalled set followed by a run at the sword set.

I was a bit off today. Hopefully tomorrow will go better.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 180

Two trailed in to the Allen Center for a 24 minute set. One had not attended before but Charlie was kind enough to take her through an explanatory warm-up followed by following footwork through the set. I wish I could have made it.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 179

Two trenched in for a 4 minute and 30 second bare-hands set followed by a run-through of the sword and about 11 minutes of standing meditation.

Remember: Only through time and practice will you acquire the skills you desire. Time passes whether you wish it or not, but practice is by intent.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 178

Two tripped in for a 21 minute uncalled set followed by a solid run at the sword form. No questions today.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 177

Three threaded in to HEC 110 for a 23 minute set. Following the bare-hands, we ran through the sword form twice and called it a start to the day.