Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 87

Two trickled in to HEC 110 for a 5 minute uncalled set. Following the 103, both remained for several slashes at the saber set. Finally, both remained for about 20 minutes of push-hands.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 86

Three thugged into a virtually empty Allen Center. The only other person was the desk attendant. After the warm up, we slid through a 17 and a half minute uncalled set. I asked participants to focus on Match Up Inner and Outer and Synchronize Upper and Lower.

Following the 103, two remained for a quick slash at the saber all the way through the end.

01, 02, 04

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 85

Two trotted in for a 10 minute uncalled set.

After the 103, both remained for a few slices of saber form.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 84

Five filed in for a pleasant warm up followed by a set. I am uncertain of the length as I had to leave before we could start, but another was there who I'm confident led them well. (I was later informed that the set was about 23 minutes. :-)

01, 02, 04, 05, 20

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 83

Five flopped in for a partially instructed warm-up and a 20 minute called set.

Following the 103, two remained for a quick slash at the saber set.

Following the saber set, three stuck around for some basic instruction on the beginning of the form.

01, 02, 05, 26

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 82

Four fished in for a 22 minute uncalled set. The speed of the set didn't seem to be very smooth; a combined effort, I'm sure. ;-)

After the set, two remained for a slash at the saber set all the way to the end.

01, 02, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 81

Three threw in to HEC 110 for a 24 minute called set. Following the set, there was brief discussion of means by which one could practice the set with a DVD or other means.

Following the 103, two remained for a quick run through of the sword and a couple of slices at the saber set.

After the weapons sets, two remained for some one-on-one work on Ward Off Left and Ward Off Right.

01, 07, 26

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 80

Three threaded in through the HEC rat's maze to 110 for a 24 minute called set. There was brief discussion of the form following.

Following the 103, all three remained for a quick run through of the sword form followed by a several slices at the saber form.

01, 02, 07

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 79

Five fracked their way in to the Allen Center for a warm up and a 20 minute called set. Before the set, there were some questions on Crossed Arm Rotations and Arm Swings.

Following the set, one remained for a quick slice of saber.

01, 02, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 78

Three threaded in for a 23 minute uncalled set. After the set, we briefly discussed the left hand in Turn and Sweep Lotus.

Following the 103, two remained for a quick slash at the saber set up through Move Forward with Three Fold Harmony of Technique.

01, 02, 05
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In the University class, after a slightly abbreviated warm-up, the 26 students of my normally 70+ student class worked on some self-defense moves and escapes. We also talked briefly about the appropriate use of martial techniques, focusing on the idea that simply because you can do something doesn't mean you should or that it is morally permissible to do so. A long-time student approached me after class and indicated that doing something simply because one could (i.e. Might makes Right) was often termed a 'vulgar display of power.' I rather like that term and may have to use it in future.

01, 03, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 77

Two tromped in to the Allen Center this morning for an 11 minute set.

After the 103, both remained for several slashes at the saber set.

01, 02
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Seven of the nine saber students showed up. We reviewed all of the form up to ...Mandarin Duck with special attention to Fair Lady Works at Shuttles in 8 Directions, and Three Stars Open and Close Moving at Their Own Will. We then added Whip the Blade Around as if Pushing a Boat with the Current and Move Forward with Three Fold Harmony of Technique.

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

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 76

Two tramped in for an 11 minute uncalled set. Following the set, there was some discussion on the last Turn and Kick with Heel in part 2.

After the 103, one remained for a slice at the saber and a refresher in the sword.

01, 05
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In the University class, we briefly discussed some of the problems I saw during the mid-term exam. The beginners received a refresher in stances as did the more advanced group. The advanced group also finally climbed out of Needle at Sea Bottom and into Fan Through Back.
 01, 06, 13

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The evening class had its standard compliment, eventually. We finished up part 2 which is a good stopping point before Spring Break.

01, 02, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 75

Four flopped in to the Allen Center for a 20 minute called set. Following the 103, there was some discussion on holds and their usage with the surprise visitor of a member of our local constabulary and former student of mine. It was enjoyable and would prove interesting under different circumstances.

Following the 103, two remained to practice (and one to watch) a slice of the saber form. Special attention was paid to the last several frames.

01, 02, 04

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 74

Six slipped in to HEC 110 for a 23 minute called set. Discussion after the set gravitated toward correct posture and knee placement.

Following the 103, three remained for a couple quick swipes at the saber, up through Whip the Blade....

01, 02, 05, 07, 24, 25

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 73

Nine nudged their way in to HEC 110 this morning for a 24 minute called set. Following the set, we discussed a number of positions including the transition between Brush Knees, the strike point in Turn and Chop, the martial application of Single Whip, and an adaptation of Snake Creeps Down.

Following the 103, three remained for a few slashes at the saber form. Two others remained in the back focusing on other positions in the bare hands set. In saber, we worked up through Whip the Blade Around as if Pushing the Boat with the Current.

01, 02, 07, 13, 15, 16, 22, 23

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 72

Three threw in for a 15 minute uncalled set this morning. A brief discussion of Strike Tiger ensued after the set.

Two remained for several slashes at the saber form up through Ward Off; Slant Saber... and an introduction into Whip the Blade Around as if Pushing the Boat with the Current.

01, 02, 04

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 71

Two traipsed in for a warm up followed by a 20 minute uncalled set. Following the set, there was some discussion on weight-distribution specifically in Step Forward to Seven Stars.

01, 05
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Our midterm in the University class went well.

01, 03, 06, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 70

Two trudged in for a warm-up and into a 21 minute uncalled set.

Following the 103, both remained for a couple slashes at the saber with discussion of the 5th Fair Lady and of Three Stars....

01, 02
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In the evening saber class, seven students showed their glowing faces. After a warm-up, we briefly practiced a small portion of part 2 starting with Punch Down and concluding with the second Turn and Kick With Heel. We then proceeded to review the first portion of the Saber form up through Three Stars... and then added Slap Kick Strike Tiger and Ward Off; Slant Saber, Standing Like Mandarin Duck. It was, by-and-large, a good class.

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

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 69

One wobbled in for a warm-up followed by a 36 minute carefully executed set. Normally, Tuesdays are our 'quick-set' days, but the body requested something else. When I woke up today, I actually felt considerably less than healthy, but even by the end of part 1, I was starting to feel a bit better. By the end of part 2, everything felt almost normal again and by the end of part 3, I felt better than I have in a while. Although I did not have the time to practice any weapons, the 103 today was quite pleasant.

01
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In the University class, we prepared for the exam. The beginners also finished up part 1 with Apparent Close Up and Crossed Hands. They received some good practice on the rest of the set as well. The more advanced students were also treated to some good practice with a good introduction to Needle at Sea-bottom.

01, 06, 13
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In the evening class, there continue to be no beginners, so we worked up through Double Wind to the Ears in part 2.

01, 02, 03, 10

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 68

Two tramped in through several inches of fresh snow layered nicely on glare ice for a 17 minute uncalled set. Following the 103, both remained for a couple of hearty whacks at the saber form.

01, 02

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 67

Six plus one very late showed up today for a 21 minute called set. There were questions and discussion about Fair Lady Works at Shuttles and Single Whip.

Following the 103, three remained for a couple of whacks at the saber form with special attention to Three Stars Open and Close, Moving at their own Will.

01, 02, etc.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 66

Three threaded their way in to HEC 110 for a 23 minute called set. After the set, we worked on separation of Empty and Full.

After the 103, we took a quick slice through the sword set followed by several whacks at the saber set.

01, 02, 07

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 65

Four found their way for a 20 minute uncalled set.

Following the 103, two remained for a couple slices of the saber form up through Three Stars Open and Close, Moving at Their Own Will.

01, 02, 04, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 64

Two came in for a 14 minute uncalled set. I couldn't make this one, either.

02, 05
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In the University class, beginners enjoyed a review of the brush-knees and the addition of Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Perry, and Punch. While that happened, people in part 3 made it up through the Brush Left Knee before Needle at Sea Bottom.

01, 06, 13

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 63

Three came in for a 21 minute uncalled set. Unfortunately, I had other things which required my attention.

02, 04, 05

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In the evening saber class, all but one showed up. We reviewed and finished Fair Lady Works at Shuttles in Eight Directions and added Three Stars Open and Close, Moving at Their Own Will.

01, 02, 03, 07, 11, 14

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 62

Three thrust in past the threat of imminent snow for a slightly brisker warm up followed by a 12 minute called set. Prior to the set, there was a question on Fair Lady Works at Shuttles.

Following the 103, two remained for a relaxed slice through the sword form followed by a couple of hacks at the saber form.

01, 02, 20
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In the University class, the beginners were instructed up through the last Brush Left Knee Twist Step and introduced into Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Perry, and Punch. The people in part 3 made it up through Diagonal Flying.

01, 06
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The evening class was canceled due to lack of attendance.

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 61

Three threaded in for a 24 minute uncalled set. No questions and no one had time for a weapon's set after.

01, 02, 05

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 60

Five fell in for a warm up and 23 minute called set. There was a discussion on Ward Off and the separation of Empty and Full.

After the 103, all five remained for a slice at the sword set.

Following the sword, all 5 remained for several quick chops at the saber up through the second Fair Lady Works at Shuttles in 8 directions.

01, 02, 03, 07

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 59

Six slithered in for a 22 minute called set. There were questions on Turn and Sweep Lotus into Bend Bow, Shoot Tiger.

Following the 103, all six remained for a slow but relatively accurate sword set. There were then questions on the Cartwheels, Shoot the Wild Goose, and White Tiger Whips Its Tail.

And lastly, all six remained for a portion of the saber form. We worked up through the second iteration of Fair Lady Works at Shuttles in Eight Directions. There were questions on the transition from Rise Up, into Dodge Aside, and Extend With High Spirit.

All in all, it was a very nice way to start the day.

01, 02, 03, 07

Tai Chi at the Allen Center - 2013 Day 58

Three thrust into the Allen Center this morning for a 17 minute uncalled form. It was much nicer than yesterday.

Following the 103, two remained for some rattling of sabers.

01, 02, 04