Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 339

Happy Solstice. Three threw in this morning for a pleasant warm-up followed by another 13 minute uncalled set. There was brief discussion on Press after the set.

After the 103, two remained for a 3.5 to 4 minute called sword set.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 338

Three slogged in through heavy snows for a warm up and 13 minute uncalled set. After the 103, two stuck around for a 3.5 minute called sword set. Although the snow will be heavy today, it was still a nice way to start the day.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 337

Four flopped in for a nice warm-up followed by a 15 minute uncalled set. The set flowed well for me today and I was able to show considerable 'intent' in the frames. After the set, there was a question about 'holding the shape' as a concept. I spoke briefly about the idea and demonstrated that doing something other than holding the shape is ultimately self-defeating.

After the 103, two remained for a 4 minute called sword set.

01, 02, 04, 05
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The evening sword class was a bit more sparse than I expected, but we still had seven show up. We ran through the set a few times after which we started on corrections. We did not get past Fishing, but it was still a good start. I invited everyone to the weekend practices for further review.

01, 02, 03, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 336

Three threw in for a nice, relaxing warm-up while two remained for a delightful 25 minute uncalled set. Following the 103, two still remained for a 5 minute run-through of the sword.

01, 02, 04
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The evening class at the Y went well. There were three absent this evening. After the warm up, I talked a bit about intent, not just showing it, but the intention of placing a body part in the correct location/position. Think it, see it, do it, at least for practice. This is, of course, not what you would usually do in an actual physical confrontation.

Following the mini-lecture, folks working on part 2 continued their practice while folks in part 1 went through the set as far as they know after which I took them through part 1 with detailed movement and body placement.

At the very end, a bade them all return on January 8th, 2013 but we also decided to attempt to practice this coming weekend.

01, 02, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 335

Three threaded in for a nice, slow warm-up followed by a 20 minute uncalled set. After the set, I made a few comments on Single Whip, Fair Lady Works at Shuttles, and Snake Creeps Down.

01, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 334

Seven sidled into HEC 110 this morning for a nice warm-up followed by a 26 minute called set. That length of set hasn't been done for a while in practice and it felt really good. After the set, there were questions on Double Wind to the Ears and the Kick With Left Heel. I also commented on Strike Tiger Left, the back foot pointing in Single Whip, and the weight shifts in Part the Wild Horses Mane.

Following the 103, six remained for some stationary single hand push-hands and some single hand stepping push-hands.

After about 15 to 20 minutes of push-hands, three remained for a quick run through of the sword form. Following the sword form, the same three went through the staff form with careful review of the end of part 2.

01, 02, 05, 09, 15, 16

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 333

Five filtered into HEC 110 this morning for a pleasant warm-up followed by a 23 minute called set. Following the 103, four remained for some push-hands. Finally, two remained for a quick sword set.

01, 02, 15, 16, 17

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 332

Five filed in for a nice warm up and 20 minute called set. Prior to the set, there were questions on Ward Off Right.

After the set, two remained for a 5 minute thrust into the sword form. It was also very nice.

01, 02, 04

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 331

Four flopped in for a nice warm up followed by a 21 minute called set. It seemed very warm in our room today, but the set felt good.

Following the set, two remained for a 5 minute called sword set.

01, 02
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In the University class the final was given. Overall, it went well.

01, 03, 06, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 330

Upon the 330th day of practice of the year 2012, five fine folk fell in for a nice warm up followed by a 17 minute called set. I commented on the transitions from Brush Knee to Brush Knee with one University student making up a class.

Following the 103, two remained for a 4ish minute called run through of the sword form.

01, 02, 04, 05
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Eight people made it in this evening for the sword class. We ran through the set a couple times and reviewed a number of the individual frames though I became distracted with talking about 'whip' in frames like Swallow Swoops Over the Water and Heavenly Horse Flies Over the Waterfall. We took some time to try using the waist to whip the hand into a large pad. Some seemed to understand, some less so.

01, 02, 03, 10, 11, 14

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 329

Four fell in for a nice warm-up. Three remained for a 21 minute called set and two stuck around for a 5 minute called sword set.

01, 02, 04
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In the afternoon University class, we went through part 1 and part 2. I talked with the people in the beginning class about some of the 10 Essentials. After the folks in part 2 were done with their form, I switched and talked with the people working on part 2 about the ten essentials what they mean.

01, 06, 13
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We had a smaller than usual turnout for the evening class with seven in attendance. The beginners reviewed the start of part 2 and then ventured into Diagonal Flying, Lift Hands Step Forward, White Crane Spreads Wings and finally Brush Left Knee Twist Step. Needle at Sea bottom was demonstrated but not taught.

01, 02, 03

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 328

Two tramped in through several inches of relatively freshly fallen snow for a nice (if somewhat late-starting) warm-up followed by a 21 minute uncalled set. The flow was nice. There was insufficient time remaining after the 103 to practice sword. Perhaps tomorrow.

01, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 327

Three slipped into the HEC110 for a late-starting warm-up and a 24 minute called set. Following the set, there were questions on Golden Cock Stands on One Leg and the three different Step Forward, Parry, Block, and Punch frames. I also commented on the Strike Tigers and the footwork for Waves Hands Like Clouds.

Following the 103, we went slowly through the sword form. There were questions on Shoot the Wild Goose and Step Over Block Up.

Finally, everyone remained for the restart of the staff form. The new staff student made it up through the first Horse Stance, Chop.

01, 07, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 326

Six sidled in for a 24 minute called set. Following the set, there were questions on Turn and Sweep Lotus and Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger. I also made some comments on the right arm in Single Whip (some were extending the arms too much for the final portion of the frame) and the correct method of turning and foot placement in Diagonal Flying as opposed to the "about face" one of the students likes to do.

After the 103, all six stayed for about 10 minutes of push-hands. Considering the group, we stuck with single arm.

Following push-hands, three remained for sword practice. There were questions on Big Dipper, Swallow Swoops Over the Water, and Black Dragon Wraps Around the Pole.

Finally, two remained for a review and part 1 and 2 of the staff form. Special attention was paid to the first position in part 2 and the rising kick into Pull Down at the end of part 2.

01, 05, 07, 11, 14, 15

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 325

Three thudded in for a pleasant warm-up and an 18 minute uncalled set. After the set, one went through a 3.5 minute uncalled sword set.

01, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 324

Two tramped in for a very nice warm-up followed by a 10 minute uncalled set. This pace lends itself to half-breathing where one takes one breath where they would normally take two. The flow was quite nice this morning. There was some discussion of Roll Back.

Following the 103, both remained for a 5-ish minute called sword set.

01, 02
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In the afternoon University class, we discussed attendance and what to do about poor attendance. After that, with the help of my advanced students, we ran a corrections class. Stance is still the big issue for many.

01, 03, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 323

Four fled the 13 degree weather outside and filed in for a nice warm-up. Post-warm-up, three remained for a 21 minute uncalled set. Following the set, there were questions and discussion on the 'horizon focus' during the set.

After the 103, two remained for a 4 to 5 minute called sword set.

01, 02, 04, 05
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In the evening sword class, we finished the form. That said, there is still much work to do on corrections, explanations, practice, etc. Almost all of the students were there.

01, 02, 03, 07, 10, 11, 14

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 322

Two trod the paving stones for a nice warm-up followed by a 4 minute 24 second set. The flow here seemed really good today.

Following the 103, both remained for a 3.5 minute called sword set. There was some discussion of Black Dragon Wraps Around the Pole following the set.

Finally, we practiced about 11 minutes of standing meditation. Largely, this was nice, too, but my posture seemed a bit off for the first 2/3rds of the session. After that though, it was quite nice.

01, 02
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After a called set up through the end of part 2 (people in part 1 having the opportunity to practice section 1 three times), we worked on push-hands in the University class. We started with a refresher on single-hand and then proceeded into stepping single-hand.

01, 03, 13
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In the evening class, the beginners reviewed the breathing for part 1 and the opening of part 2. We then worked on positions up through Repulse Monkey.

The more advanced folks worked on part 2.

01, 02, 07, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 321

Four flapped in for a pleasant warm-up followed by an 18 minute uncalled set. I took a more centered starting point and encouraged another student to take my usual spot for a different view. This was beneficial as it allowed me to note a few frames in their form which required a minor amount of adjustment. I was also able to note other frames in other students which also needed some tweaking. I may have to pursue this further in future practice sessions.

After the 103, two remained for a run through of the sword set. There was some mild discussion an Dusting in the Wind.

01, 02, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 320

Four flowed into HEC 110 this morning for a 26 minute called set. I was trying for 27, but such is life and it was still very nice to return to a slower, slightly more demanding set.

Following the 103, three remained to run through the sword with special attention to (and a few repetitions of) Present the Ivory Tablet.

I chose to leave at that point. Perhaps the food from yestereve did not agree with me. Perhaps I'm just tired.

01, 02, 05, 07

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2012 Day 319

Five flew in to HEC 110 for a 16 minute called set, a couple of minutes faster than I wanted, but it was still nice.

After the 103, three remained for a a quick run through of the sword set, but that was it as I had to leave early.

01, 02, 07, 14, 15