Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 29

Three threaded in for a 17 minute uncalled set. There were no questions and the only comment I had planned to make seemed to have gotten muddled by the time I reached the end of the form.

01, 02, 05
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In the University class, the beginners were introduced to Ward Off Left and Ward Off Right. The people starting part 3 worked on the foot work for Carry Tiger Return to Mountain and started the hands for up through the arm-break.

01, 03, 06

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 28

No one braved the excessive snow, freezing rain, or other incredibly hazardous conditions this morning. I can't blame them one bit.
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Saber class started this evening, though it started a bit late. After warm up, we talked about how the saber differs from the sword, how to hold the saber and then finally got into Step Forward to Seven Stars. There were many people missing, so instead of going too much further, we used the last 10 minutes to review some push-hands. If time permits, I would like to do this more often.

01, 02, 03, 14

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 27

Four fled the icy sidewalks and streets for the relative safety of the Allen Center for a pleasant warm-up followed by a 7 minute called set. After the 103, three remained for an 11 minute standing meditation session. Upon completion, two remained for a 5 minute called sword set and finally 1 chopped his way through a brief saber set.

01, 02, 05, 19
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In the University class, the beginners started bow-stance walking and that was about it as we had spent much of the class time lining up. The more advanced folk made it through one iteration of part 1.

01, 03, 06, 13
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In the evening class, there were no rank beginners, so I took the more advanced people up through Wave Hands Like Clouds in part 2. Technically, we had done this last week, but it was quite rushed. This time, we spent more time with the individual components.

01, 02, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 26

Two tramped in through ice-crusted snow for a slightly longer than usual warm-up followed closely by a 12 minute uncalled set. The flow was quite good with good intent shown.

Two remained for a 4 minute called sword set followed by one hacking his way through a 2 minute saber set. All-in-all, a good way to start the day.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 25

Four fumbled into HEC 110 today for a 23 minute called set. Following the set, there were questions on the first Turn and Kick With Heel, Strike Tigers, and some general commentary on many of the frames after High Pat on Horse.

After the 103, three remained for a 9 minute called sword set. There were questions on the first and third Three Rings Circle the Moon.

Finally, one whacked his way through the saber form.

01, 02, 05, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 24

Two tramped in from the cold for a warm up and a 23 minute uncalled set. Follow the set, there was some discussion of Turn and Kick With Heel (the easy one) and Turn and Sweep Lotus.

Two remained for a couple stabs at the sword form, a 5 minute and 3 minute respectively. Following that, one bounded through a saber set.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 23

Three thronged through fresh snow (and much warmer temperatures) to warm-up and thus execute a 22 minute uncalled set. The flow for me today was amazing. I really focused on keeping my Kua open which seemed to empower everything else that much more. I look forward to continuing this experimentation.

Following the 103, two remained for a 4.5 minute called sword set. This also felt good today.

Finally, 1 remained for a whack at the saber form. It was quite enjoyable as well.

01, 02, 05 ("Three, sir." ;-)

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 22

Four fiddled fluently into the Allen Center for a 22 minute called set. Following the set there was a brief discussion about White Crane Spreads Wings while before the set there was a slightly longer discussion about Grasp Birds Tail.

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

01, 02, 05, 18

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 21

Three thronged the Allen Center studio B for a pleasant warm-up followed by a 22 minute called set. Prior to the set, some explanation of Bow Stance was reiterated.

Following the 103, two remained for a 5 minute called sword set.

01, 02, 18

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 20

Two tumbled in from the frigid (-11F) temperatures and mild winds for a nice warm up followed by some comments and basic instruction in T'ai Chi. The new student has not studied T'ai Chi before, but may well be trying out T'ai Chi in the learn-by-doing method.

After the instruction, one remained for a quick run through of the sword form and a slightly more intentful practice of the saber.

01, 18

(No practice yesterday.)

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 19

Two trod in for a 30 minute uncalled set. It felt good to go slow again, being able to pay attention to the minutia of each interlocking movement. Following the 103, both remained for a 6 minute sword set. There was some discussion of Falling Flowers and Agile Cat. Following sword, one popped through a quick saber set.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 18

Three threaded their way into HEC 110 for a 27 minute uncalled set. The flow was very nice though it really felt slower than it should have for me.

Following the 103, two remained for 3.5ish minute sword set.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 17

Two tramped in through freshly fallen snow for a pleasant warm-up followed by a 13 minute 'intentful' set. There was some discussion of Fair Lady Works at Shuttles followed closely by a 5 minute sword set facing the southern wall (instead of the mirrors). Green Dragon Comes Out of the Water also received a bit of discussion.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 16

Three tripled the fun this morning with a 25 minute uncalled set. IT felt very nice with a combination of slow, graceful movements and the showing of intent in the final inch of most of the frames. Following the 103, two remained for a 3.5 minute stab at the sword form and finally 1 for a little practice with the saber.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 15

One wandered in for a brief warm-up followed by a bit of saber, a 3 minute 32 second intentful 103 set, and a rather sloppy sword set lasting just under 3 minutes.

01

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 14

Two traveled in for a 12 minute set this morning. I just wish I could have been there, too. Following the 103, ~10 minutes of standing meditation commenced followed by a solo sword set in the 4.5 minute range.

02, 05
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In the early afternoon, I spent some quality time (at least 45 minutes) in HEC 110 exercising my T'ai Chi muscle as well.

01
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The evening class was again pleasant. Six sauntered in for a nice warm-up. The more advanced group worked on part 2 with my esteemed colleague while I worked with the two beginners on bow-stance and bow-stance walking. We also started the form. Over all, it looks like a good group. :-)

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 13

Three thirsted for T'ai Chi practice this morning and were willing to brave the almost sub-zero temperatures and light breeze to get it. After a very nice warm-up, we drove through a 17 minute uncalled but very intentful set. Following the 103, two remained for a rather sloppy (on my part, anyway) 4 minute sword set.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 12

Three threaded their way into HEC 110 today for a warm up and a fairly pleasant 24 minute uncalled set. Following the bare-hand set, all three proceeded through a 6 minute called sword set. We left it there for today.

01, 02, 03

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 11

One wound in through the rat's maze into HEC 110 for a 20-ish minute form. It is unfortunate that I could not attend, but other situations presented themselves. I did my 15 minute solo set much later in the day.

02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 10

Two tromped in for a 22 minute uncalled set. Following the set, I made a suggestion on stance in Single Whip.

After the 103, 1 remained for a 3.5 minute uncalled sword set.

01, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 9

Three throttled the chilly morning air and passed into the comparable warmth of the Allen Center for a 24.5 minute uncalled set. Following the 103, I offered a couple suggestions to the students attending. With no additional comments or questions, two remained for a 4 minute called sword set.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 8

Two trogged in for a 21 minute uncalled set. Following the 103, two remained for a 5 minute called sword set.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 7

Two trotted in for a very nice warm-up followed by a 4 minute uncalled set. Following the 103, the same two thrust through a 2 minute and 55 second sword set. The latter of these two was really starting to get a little sloppy. Alas, I have not the skill of Li Mu Bai, at least not yet. ;-)

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 6

Four flopped in for a 21 minute uncalled set. Following the 103, two remained for a 4 minute called sword set. The set felt quite good today. 'Intent' was definitely present even without a conscious effort to show it.

01, 02, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 5

Three thrust their way into HEC 110 again today for a warm-up and a 30 minute uncalled set. We also focused on showing intent today, but the set was considerably different. As one student commented, a good training exercise.

Following the 103, two remained for a 6 minute called sword set.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 4

Three threaded their way in to HEC 110 for a nice warm-up followed by a 16 minute uncalled set. We worked on showing intent which tended to make the set somewhat less slow. After the set, we chatted a bit and then two remained for a 3.5 minute sword set.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 3

Four flopped in for a 23 minute uncalled set. Following the set, there was a question on Turn and Chop after which I made some comments on Strike Tiger.

After the 103, two remained for a 4 minute run-through of the sword.

01, 02, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 2

Two trotted in around locked doors for a nice warm-up followed by a 4.5 minute uncalled set. After the 103, a 4 minute called sword set ensued. Both of us had much to accomplish today, so we trimmed it short and went our merry ways.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 1

Four flung themselves into the new year by coming to practice T'ai Chi. After a pleasant warm-up, all four flowed through a 21 minute uncalled set. After the 103, two remained for a moderately paced run-through of the sword form. Over all, it was a nice way to start the day and the year. I feel better already. :-)

01, 02, 04, 05