Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 63 at the house. Ginnie's coming home from the Cape today. Yay!

The Practice:

I went out to the Deck to practice around mid-morning. Echo came out to supervise. Ha!

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on overall health and consistency. Don't think, just Do!

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting my version of the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I tuned into a light energy at the top of my head.

Next I did a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa tuned into the quality of my basics. I used a throw during the Trapping Hands sequences and having a light body during the Progressive Stepping.

Next I did Changes 1- 4 of Baguazhang's Yin Style 8 Linking Palms Set on both sides focused on consistency and correct sequences.

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata tuned into the changes that I've made to that Kata. It's becoming more and more an integral part of that Kata.

I finished by coming inside and journaling my practice in this blog.

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Thursday Practice

   

The Details:

It's 70 at the house and forecast to be cooler today. Yay! This heat wave has been tough!!

Dog and house duties this morning:

The Practice:

I started inside with reading a poem from Evidence and acoustic guitar practice.

Next I went out to The Deck around mid-morning to practice.

I started with a  full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and mobilizing my fascia through quicker movements. 

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. There were several glitches when I noticed I had inadvertently switched to the right side and once I couldn't remember if I had already done a particular sequence. I remained equanimous and simple returned to the left side and in the case of not being able to remember IF I had already done a particular sequence I simply repeated it.

Next I did a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo tuned into properly extending my punches and kicks and adding a bit more focus and pop.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on the details of my breathing and punches.

I finished by returning to the house to journal my practice in this blog.

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Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's a hot and humid 78 at the house. It's forecast to be another super hot and humid. Ginnie is still at Cape Cod.

The Practice:

I started with reading a poem out of Mary Oliver's book Evidence and acoustic guitar practice.

Afterwards I walked Echo 

Next I started my practice inside with a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health.

Next I went out to water the garden and then found a shady spot near the garden to do a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. 

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo focused on mobility, agility as well as correct sequence. 

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on the correct sequence and light body.

I finished with Healing Qigong and returned to the house to journal my practice here in this blog.

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Email Sifu Roy

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 70 at the house and it's forecast to be another super hot and humid (dangerously) day. I've got Echo and house duty today. I cancelled the Taiji and Qigong Class at the Studio this morning. Read called and said he was not going in because of the heat, I can't make it, Janee is out so there's no one to open up The Studio. 

The Ponton's are scheduled to arrive at 10 this morning. So I've got lots of chores to do. Oy Vey!! 

I stopped at my sister's (my Mom was hospitalized yet again yesterday) and my cousin Patrick (Jack) was there visiting. I also saw Genna for a few moments. She was there 'sunbathing'! Serendipity ....Yup!

The Practice:

First I did a fingerstyle guitar practice, using my Taylor acoustic.

It's super hot out so I practiced downstairs in the living room/dinning room area. 

I started with a brief Warm Up using the first few of The 10 focused on overall health.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I focused mainly on being consistent and the overall health benefits.

I ended with a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong. 

If you're looking at this post, please let me know. Thanks!

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Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 69 at the house and forecast to be a scorcher (90's) this afternoon. Ginnie leaves for the Cape for a week with Gerri and Kate this morning. She'll be back on Friday, In the meantime I'll be holding down the Farm and taking care of Echo. 

The Practice:

I started inside practice fingerstyle guitar using my ES335 through my little positive grid amp.

Next I went out to The Deck to practice. I brought Echo with me to supervise and put the awning out 1/2 way so I had a bit of shade. It's getting hotter by the minute. I have all the air conditioners going full force.

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into opening and closing my spine, Taoist LBreathing in and out through the nose, and "Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast".

Next I did a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on correct sequence and direction of postures, applications and the overall quality of my basic strikes, using full extension.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata tuned into mobility/agility, leg strength and overall health.

I finished with a round of Modern Arnis Cane Anyo 1-4 using a Dragon Cane. I did 1-3 on both right and left sides and #4 on the right only.

I returned to the house to journal my practice in this blog.

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Sunday Practice

The Details:

It's 66 at the house and it's raining. Jeff is scheduled to come up to train this morning around 10. I hope the rain subsides by then. Oy! It did!!

The Practice:

I went out to The Driveway before Jeff came to get set up for him and to do my Round of the day. I did The Round (right side) tuned into opening and closing my spine and feeling Jin going down and up the 9 Zig Zag Path. 

Once Jeff arrived I started by introducing Master B. P. Chan's wrist and forearm exercised. 

Next I explained my take on the Dragon's Back exercise (Wuji Stance) and then how to integrate it into Withdraw and Push (Bow Stance). 

Next we did Two Person Long Push focused on what's moving and what's not moving. 

Next we did a full round of The Two Person Taiji Dance focused on the correct sequence and distinguishing Yin/Yang i. e. who is initiating and who is receiving. We also considered the direction of the force (feed) in regards to what the answer will be. 

Next we did Tapi Tapi tuned into entering and exiting, who is leading and who is following (on both sides) we spent a fair amount of time on the left side.

Next I explained and practiced Baguazhang's Cheng Style 8 Animal Set focused on the introduction, Mud-Wadding Step and the intro sequence as well as the first change in the first Gua "The Lion Opens Its Mouth" focused on transmitting the sequence to Jeff on the left side.

I finished with journaling the private lesson here in this blog.

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Saturday Practice

 The Details:

It's 64 at the house, sunny and beautiful. We have an appointment at Spofford Lake to be briefed (by Bob Lupien) on the safe operation of the Whaler. We are going to volunteer to be the 'crash boat' during sailboat races. We've done it in the past but I'm interested in getting more involved at SYC and have an activity that I can do with Ginnie. Win/Win!!

The Details:

I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. I'm seeing some progress....finally! Oy Vey!!

Next I went out to the driveway to practice before our 10am appointment that we need to leave Leyden at 9:15 for. 

I started with a brief Warm Up using the first few of The 10 focused on stretch and consistency.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into consistency, Taoist Longevity Breathing (TLB) and feeling Jin moving down and up the 9 Zig Zag Path through the Jin Lu

Next I did 4-8 on both sides of Cheng Style Baguazhang's 8 Animal Set. I focused on correct sequence and consistency. I felt more comfortable with #8 (Monkey Palm).

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima focused on applications, light body, consistency and doing the correct sequence.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata tuned into agility, mobility, light body and overall health.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I returned to the house to journal this morning's practice here in this blog.

If you're looking at this please let me know. Thanks!!

Email Sifu Roy

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 66 at the house. It's forecast to be hot again this afternoon. Ginnie opened up early and we have the attic fan on with the bedroom windows opened. I've got a standing 8:30 video meeting with Jeff. I'm scheduled to have lunch with Travis at Tito's around noon.

The Practice:

I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. I'm trying to keep working on the advancements that I made this week, I've added several songs as well as cleaning up the ones that I already know. It feels good to be moving forward,

Around mid-morning I went out to practice in my main practice area (about) near Big Greenie.

I started using my Dragon Canes to do a solo drill of switching from right to left and vice versa with a circle in between, with a 1 1/2. 

Next I did Abanico Double Action with Change Step on both sides.

Next I did a round of Taiji Cane Form on the right side using a Dragon Cane. I tuned into shoulder health on the 'round the head' sequences.

Next I did a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting my version of The Taiji Classics during Part I. I focused on manifesting Jin in my finger tips and what part stops and what part continues to move...especially during the push sequences.

Next I did a brief Healing Qigong, reciting while Pore Breathing; 'Breathing in Qi permeates my bones, breathing out into the space that is everywhere'

Next I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang's 8 Animal Set. I did #1-4 on both sides. I've decided to practice 4 changes of each form on both sides. This is the first day of the 'new' practice method.

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat focused on agility, mobility and applications.

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata focused on the quality of my basics.

I finished by returning to the house to journal my practice here in this blog

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Email Sifu Roy

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 71 at the house. It's forecast to be super hot (100) and humid. We put the stand up air conditioner in the living room in preparation for the 'heat wave'. We're scheduled to have dinner at Hope and Olive with Dylan (Birthday Boy) at 6:30 this evening. 

The Practice:

I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. I had a breakthrough yesterday using the book 'The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking by Mark Hanson. I spent several hours working through the first 3/4 of the book and several songs after the exercises. I'm getting the 'feel' of steady thumb playing as I'm picking the melody. It feels great to have a surge forward. It feels like it's a long time coming.

Around mid-morning I went out to my main practice area to practice.

I started using my Dragon Canes to do all 4 Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's. I was using two canes and did #1-3 on both sides. There were multiple variations from using two canes.

Next I did a round of Taiji Double Dao using my Dragon Canes. I focused on consistency, sequence and shoulder health ('round the head movements) as well as sinking lower in the Cross Step Stance-Work. 

Next I did a full round of The 10+ focused on doing them regularly and the overall health benefits that can be derived IF you do them regularly. 

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I've added a couple of phrases about 1.) Using a Calm, Centered State of Mind and 2.) Using Taoist Longevity Breathing (TLBreathing) in and out through the nose, the abdomen is (Yang) active and the chest (Yin) is passive. I focused on being "light and spirited in every movement with all of its parts (the body) connected like a 'string of pearls'.

Next I did a full round of Cheng Style Baguazhang's Old 8 Palms Form - One circle for each posture using a modified Mud-Wadding Step. I focused on The Circle Walking while the upper body health the postures as in Standing Post Training. This is an advanced internal form. The movements are not as complicated as the 8 Animal Form. It is purely internal! 

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on proper sequence, quality basics and light body.

Next I did around of Seiunchin Kata focused on grabbing, pulling and striking. 

I finished with Healing Qigong as I returned to the house to journal this mornings practice here in this blog.

If you're looking at this please let me know. Thanks!

Email Sifu Roy

 

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 68 at the house and it's raining. I'm moving a bit slowly this morning. The Dogwood Trees are blooming!

The Practice:

I started by reading a poem from Evidence and acoustic guitar practice.

Around mid morning I went out on The Deck to practice. There was a little break in the rain....Yay!

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency (it's been a few days since I did a FULL round of The 10+) and mobility, agility and relaxed balance throughout the round.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting my version of The Taiji Classics - I've added a sentence or two about using a Calm, Centered State of Mind throughout as well as a reference to abdominal breathing in and out through the nose.

Next I did a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Baguazhang Yin Style 8 Palms Form. One change on each Palm except for #3 and #7, where I did both sides. I recited the names when I knew them and mainly focused on correct sequence and overall health.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on consistency, sequence and applications.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on using quality basics with full extension and a bit more pop!

I fished and came inside to journal my practice.

Tuesday Practice at The Studio

 

The Details:

It's 58 at the house and raining. I plan on going into The Studio to teach the 8:30 Taiji and Qigong Class.

The Practice:

After driving into town to teach I opened The Studio and had Jack show up a little early. We reviewed The Taiji Dance (two person application form sometimes referred to as San Shou). We did a full round on both sides with just a little confusion towards the end of parts 7 and 8. Then Read came in and we did a brief Warm Up and the first part of Wuji Hundun Qigong. 

Next we did a Round (right side). I recited my version of the Taiji Classics during Part I. We discussed the weight distribution during Roll Back.

Next we did a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong

Next Jack and I did a round of Anyo Isa. We discussed the various ways of doing Trapping Hands and using a light body during the Progressive Stepping's. 

Next we did a round of Naihanchi Kata. We discussed the changes that I've made to that Kata's hand techniques, double pivots and the angle kicks. 

Next we did a round of Taiji Jian. I recited the names of the postures throughout the form. 

We ended with Lazy D using the left hand. 

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 55 at the house and a beautiful day, dry and sunny! Yay!!

The Practice:

Around mid morning I went out to my main practice area and started with a modified warm using the first few of The 10 and the first half of Sifu Ray's Warm Up Set.

Next I did a Round (left side again) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into cultivating the serenity that was all around me. It's so beautiful, quiet and serene here in Leyden.

Next I did a full round of Baguazhang's Yin Style 8 Linking Palms Form (on both sides) tuned into the 'kick ups' and mobility and agility overall. I did the form inside of my Bagua Poles (above) 

Next I did a round on Anyo Isa focused on consistency and the overall quality of my basics and stances. I used the open palm version of trapping hands (like the Prof. often did)

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata solidifying the changes that I've made to this Kata and the knee position on the angle kicks.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I returned to the house to journal the practice in this blog.

If you are looking at this email me to let me know. Thanks!

Email Sifu Roy

Sunday Practice

 

The Details:

We left Barcelona at 5 am Barcelona time and got to Leyden around 10 pm Barcelona time.....Whew! That's a long day of travel. 

The Practice:

After unloading and searching for my house keys...Oy! I went out to my main practice area and did a brief warm up followed by a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I started out on the left side and at the kicks in Part II I realized I had inadvertently switched over to the right. Staying equanimous I simply switched back to the left side. Those opportunities to adjust/correct in real time are gold and help one to develop and cultivate an Indomitable Spirit.

I ended with Healing Qigong as I returned to the house to journal my practices in this blog.

If you're looking at this please email me any feedback. Thanks!

email Sifu Roy

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday Practices in Barcelona, Spain

 

The Details:

Finding the right time and place to practice while traveling can be very challenging. On this trip I did most of my practices in the apartment we rented through VRBO. 

The Practices:

After taking a red eye (overnight flight) to Barcelona we finally made it to our apartment (very nice place to spend a week) I did a brief warm up and a Round (right side) focused on consistency and 'getting it in' and that remained the principle focus for the week. I thought I might find a nice outdoor space to practice in but alas Barcelona was way too busy with lot's of tourists and I could not find a single place near our apartment so I radically accepted that and just practiced in the apartment. With effort.....I didn't miss a single day! 

Most day's I did a full round of The 10+ and a Round alternating sides, reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I and Healing Qigong at the end, like I usually do. I didn't practice any Baguazhang, Modern Arnis, Karate or Weapons but I did get in a Round and some Qigong every single day, which felt wonderful, especially after I did it! 

My only words of advice, in regards to daily practice:

Don't (over) think about doing it......Just do it!

Consistency beats intensity, time and time again!