Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 295

Three theorized their way into the HEC this morning for a 22 minute uncalled set. Following the bare-hands set, two remained for a 3-ish minute called sword form.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 294

One went in for a 4.5 minute set.

02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 293

Three thudded in for a 23 minute uncalled set. Following the set, two remained for a 5-ish minute sword set.

01, 02, 03

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 292

Three thri-kreened into HEC 110 for a 23 minute called set. Following the set, there were questions on the breathing for push and something else which currently eludes me.

Behind the bare-hands set, we thrust our way through the sword form. I managed to wrap my tassel in a spot I had never wrapped my tassel before. It was quite bizarre. Post set, there were questions on Wasp Enters the Cave so we went through that a few times. By the end, the question was largely answered. The question from a couple of days ago about Rhinoceros Gazes at the Moon was also answered.

Finally, we cracked our way through the staff form. Then we went back and I talked about Pull Down. We are now done with part 2 of this form.

01, 02, 07

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 291

Eight idled in for a 21 minute called set. There was a question on the breathing in Turn and Chop and another on the 8 basic energies. With those answered, I went on to comment on the importance of footwork in Repulse Monkey.

Following the bare-hand form, we worked on some push-hands, largely introducing it to most of the people there, but I also spent some time noodling with a more experienced student.

Sword was next. We did a 5 minute run through of the whole form followed by a review of the form up through Compass Points.

Last, and probably least, we ran through the staff set in full and then went back and up through the rising kick and the Pull Down in part 2.

All in all, it was a good two hours. :-)

01, 02, 05, 07, 11, 15, 16

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 290

Two tripped in for a 22 minute uncalled set. We faced closer to true south (instead of east) for another look at ourselves in the mirrors from a different perspective.

Following the bare-hands set, we ran through a 4-ish minute sword set. There was one question on Rhinoceros Gazes at the Moon which I will need to review to answer definitively.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 289

Three threaded in through thickening airs for a 24 minute uncalled set. Following the set, all three remained for a 4.5 minute called sword set.

01, 02, 03
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The University class had their mid-term exam today. It was quite obvious to me who had practiced and who had not. It was also obvious (confirmed later) who had missed several classes, usually in a row. Still, people did fairly well.

01, 06, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 288

Six slipped in for a 23 minute called set. Following the set, there was a question on a mis-called position. Following that confusion, four of us remained for a 5 minute sword set.

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 08
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Eleven showed up for the evening sword class. We progressed up through Compass Points.

01, 02, 03, 07, 08

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 287

Three thronged in for a 4 minute 30 second set. Following the bare-hands set, we went through a 4-ish minute called sword set. Following the forms, all three remained for 11 minutes of meditative standing.

01, 02, 03
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Beginning students in the University class were subjected to practice of part one and allowed questions and (hopefully) useful answers. The students working on part two were also subjected to practice of part two up through the Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch after the second Turn and Chop. I believe the practice went well.

01, 03, 06, 13
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The last evening class of the session was small. At least 4 of the students were not there, but the beginners pushed through Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch. Unfortunately, we got a bit sidetracked talking about punches and how to do them, but I believe many of the students had fun, so I don't begrudge them not finishing part one.

01, 02, 03, 07.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 286

One went in for a warm up and a 3 minute 10 second uncalled set. This was followed by a 3 minute 12 second sword set (very nice) and a 3 minute 8 second sword set which was much less nice than the first.

01

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 285

Four flung into HEC 110 for a 21 minute called set. I was doing the frames well enough, but I kept miscalling them. Oh well.

After the bare-hands set, all four remained for a run at the sword. After the full set, we went back and reviewed positions up through Wind Swirls the Lotus, twice.

Finally, all four remained (though only three really participated) in a bit of staff. Charlie and I went through the whole thing twice after which I finished teaching up through the end of part 2 (Pull Down).

01, 02, 07, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 284

Eight (including two first-time University students) entered HEC 154 for a 22 minute called set. After the set, the two University students asked that I watch their form for errors. For their length of practice, they did fairly well.

Five remained to practice the sword form (and two to watch for a while). After a run through the set, we reviewed positions up through Wind Swirls the Lotus.

01, 02, 03, 05, 11, 14

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 283

Three thorned into the Allen Center this morning for a 22 minute uncalled set. We faced 'true' north today (or as close as the building allows) so we could get a good look at the positions in the mirrors from the other side. The flow of the set seemed quite good today.

After the set, we all did a relatively standard 5 minute called sword set. That was also nice.

01, 02, 03

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 282

Two tripped in for a 22 minute uncalled set facing 'true' (or truer, anyway) South. It is really good to check the positions in the mirror from that side. After the bare-hands set, both remained for a quick stab at the sword.

01, 02
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Today in University class, the beginners went back and practiced the set in multiple directions with one of my esteemed students. Before that, I chatted with them about some more of the concepts of T'ai Chi.

In the part 2 class, we only added Turn and Chop and Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry, and Punch.

01, 03, 06, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 281

Three threaded in for a 25 minute uncalled set. After the bare-hands set, two remained for a called sword set. There were no questions.

01, 02, 05
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Eleven entered in for the sword class this evening. We added Birds Lodge in the Forest, Black Dragon Whips its Tail, Green Dragon Comes Out of the Water, and Wind Swirls the Lotus. We'll save the Lion and Tigers for next time. :-)

01, 02, 03, 07, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 280

Three threw in for a standard warm up followed by a 4 minute 10 second set. The flow seemed pretty good today, though perhaps not quite as good as the previous Tuesday. One of the other students found a stop watch so I decided to try to wear it around my neck. This did not go overly well. Perhaps an external location not around my neck would work better in future.

Following bare-hands, a 5 minute sword set lead into about 12 minutes of standing meditation.

01, 02, 03
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The beginners in the University class finished part 1 today while the part 2 group made it up through the first Turn and Kick with Heel, Brush Left Knee, Brush Right Knee, and Step Forward Punch Down.

01, 03, 06, 13
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The beginners in the evening class seemed a bit distracted, but at least most of them were back. Beginners made it up through the last Brush Knee while the more advanced folks made it up through Wave Hands Like Clouds.

01, 02, 03, 07, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 279

Four flopped in to the Allen Center for a 24 minute uncalled set. Following the set, three remained for a good-paced sword set.

01, 02, 03, 04

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 278

Four fled the flooding rains (okay, not quite flooding, but certainly damp) and found their way into HEC 110 for a 24 minute called set.

After the bare-hands set, three remained for a run at the sword form followed by further review of the positions up through Embrace the Moon.

Finally, we had opportunity to work in the staff form up through Turn and Poke.

01, 02, 05, 07

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 277

Five fiddled in to HEC 110 for a 22 minute called set. There were several questions on various frames. - We then filed over into 154 for some further work on the sword. We practiced the entire form and then reviewed frames up through Embrace the Moon. Staff was nixed due to space constraints.

01, 02, 03, 07, 11

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 276

Only one wandered in for a 10 to 12 minute bare-hands set as well as sword and Qi Gong.

02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 275

Three threaded into the Allen Center for a 23 minute uncalled set. One suggestion was made after the set that I start opening my hand again for White Snake Puts Out Tongue. I'll consider it. :-p

Two remained for a 5 minute romp through the sword set. The left hand on Roc Spreads Its Wings remains illusive.

01, 02, 05
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In the afternoon University class, the beginners learned Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Perry, and Punch and were introduced to Apparent Closeup. The upper level folk made it through the first Separate (right) Foot and well into the second. We'll finish up next time.

01, 03, 06

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 274

Six slunk in for a 23 minute uncalled set this morning. After the bare-hands set, there was a question on the hook in Single Whip. I also commented on the separation of the arms and the elbow/angle of the forearm in Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, the latter of which also applies to High Pat on Horse.

Four remained for a 5 minute run at the sword.

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 08
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In the evening class, we actually had a full compliment (13, including me). We progressed from the Second Little Dipper into Phoenix Spreads Left Wing, Fishing, Poke the Grass Seeking Snake (x3) and Embrace the Moon.

01, 02, 03, 07, 08, 10, 11

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 273

Three threw in for a 4.X minute set with largely good flow this morning. Following the set, a 4.X minute called sword set which in turn was followed by 12 minutes of standing meditation. All-in-all, a very nice way to start a Tuesday.

01, 02, 03
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Attendance was down again in the evening class, but the beginners reviewed Lift Hands, Step Forward, and White Crane Spreads Wings. We also added in Brush Left Knee Twist Step.

After class was finished, I worked with a sword student on the positions up through the second Little Dipper.

01, 02, 03, 07, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 272

Three threaded in through nigh-freezing temperatures this morning for a 23 minute uncalled set. There were no questions but some commiseration. No sword practice today.

01, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 271

Six slightly different folk slewed into HEC 110 this morning. After a standard warm-up, we enjoyed a 23 minute called set. After the set, while one ducked out for personal reasons, I chatted briefly with another student about using T'ai Chi principles in a hard-style (Taekwondo) environment.

Upon resumption of the class, only 5 remained to go through a complete sword set and then return and review frames up through the second Little Dipper. There were questions on Dusting in the Wind which apparently assisted more than the questioner.

Finally, four returned to the staff where we added "Left Bow Stance, Carry Staff to Back" and "Step Up, Right Bow Stance Tip Up."

01, 02, 03, 05, 07, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 270

Six swept in to HEC 154 for a 22 minute called set. I am confident there were questions, but I do not recall what they were.

We stayed there for a while but shortly after 9 were asked to leave and thus sought out the racket-ball court. What a racket that was. :-p Quarters were cramped and the echo made it very difficult to hear the position names, but all six of us managed to work through the sword form once and then went back and I retaught positions up through the second Little Dipper. Alas, no room for staff.

01, 02, 03, 07, 08, 11

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 269

Three threw in for a 21 to 22 minute set, though I could not join the group. I'm glad others could practice, none-the-less.

02, 03, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 268

Two trampled in to the Allen center this morning for a 23 minute uncalled set. We faced actual south this morning to get a different perspective in the mirrors. I also left off Ready Position and Return at the beginning and end respectively. It seems acceptable.

 After the bare-hands set, we ran through a 5 minute called sword set.

01, 02
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In the University class, people in part two made it up to the Single Whip after Wave Hands Like Clouds. People in part one made it up to Brush Right Knee.

01, 02, 06, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 267

Five funneled into the Allen Center for a much too brief warm up followed by a 15 minute uncalled set. Two remained for a stab at the sword, but I had to bolt home as I'm having some work done on my house. As it turned out, I could have stayed for the sword set, but at least I had time for some coffee before things got wild.
01, 02, 03, XX, XX
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The evening sword class was also sparsely populated having only 8 people there. We managed to get up to the second Little Dipper.
01, 02, 03, 10, 07, 08

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 266

Three throttled their way back into the Allen Center for a 4 minute uncalled set. The flow was actually really nice. After the bare-hands set, all three remained (one with a borrowed sword) for a 5 minute called sword set. There were no questions after the sword set, so I left early (along with another) and passed on the standing meditation today. My legs just didn't seem to have the stamina at that time. Hopefully, I'll have a chance later today.
01, 02, 03
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In the afternoon University class, the beginners got into Brush Left Knee while the people in part two made it up to Turn and Chop. That will need to be revisited of course.
01, 03, 06
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The evening class was very sparse. Only four students were present and normally I have about 12. We worked up through White Crane Spreads Wings.
01, 02, 03

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 265

Five flowed back into the Allen Center for a 23 minute uncalled set. Although it was 23 minutes, the last half of part 3 was definitely accelerated a bit. Apparently the breathing exercises have been working. :-p

Two remained after the bare-hands set to practice (and one to watch) a quick (4 minute) run through of the sword. It felt pretty good until I wrapped the tassel on Present the Ivory Tablet. Oh well. Hopefully I will be better next time.

01, 02, 03, 04, 05
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On a mostly unrelated note, there was some discussion of Tai Chi Easy (TM) this morning shortly before and a bit into the warm-ups. Although I am a wholehearted supporter of the energetic arts (Qi Gong, especially) I think it should be noted that Tai Chi Easy (TM) is NOT T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Although the health-aspect energies are quite similar, the reasons for practicing can be very different. - Awareness is often useful.