Thursday New Years Day Practice

 

                                                              The first sunrise of 2026

The Details:

It's 44 at the house...Brrr! The sunrise was at 7:18. The high tide was at 6:35 (3.3'). It's the first day of the year. 

Notes:

It was cold but with less wind this morning. There were a few hearty souls walking and jogging on the beach. I saw Marty (wearing shorts) and walked back with him. We wished each other a Happy New Year.

The Practice:

I started with a Round (right side) focused on Counter Balancing and Song. I also tuned into a profound connection with nature to cultivate nature's Qi.

Next I did all 8 Standing Meditation Postures and Healing Qigong.

Next I did Cheng Style Baguazhang Yin/Yang Walking using Lion Walking throughout with smooth transitions from left to right side.

Next I did Anyo Isa focused on full extension and Balance.

Next I did Seisan Kate using good quality Basics.

Next I did a round of Taiji Cane first on the right side and then on the left. The left side got a little wonky in Parts III and IV but I managed to finish facing the correct direction.

I returned to the house to fix and eat breakfast and journal today's practices.

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Wednesday Practice

The Details: 

It's 47 at the house, with a biting N wind on the beach....Brrrr! The sunrise was at 7:18. The high tide was at 5:40 (3.2'). It's New Years Eve Day. We have dinner reservations at Chases on the Beach at 5:30 tonight. Ginnie is still sick so I may be going alone!

I'm counting this as Day #8 in the Rotation. I'm attempting to get back on track, so that I'll be able to use Jan 1 as Day #1 in the Rotation.

Notes: 

John stopped to talk. I was just starting Part III when he stopped. Afterwards my finger were super cold and hurting. John also stopped (briefly) on his way back south. We both agreed that mittens work better than gloves in this kind of weather. I used to wear mittens skiing but I don't have any down here in Florida. 

The Practice:

I started with a brief Warm Up (ha!) using the first few of The 10. It was so cold that I was mostly focused on 'getting it in' and doing all of Day #8 in the Rotations.

Next I did a Round (left side) focused on Balance and Breathing. It was so cold that I just focused on 'getting it in'

Next I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang Old 8 Palms Changes 1-8 (both sides) using Lion Walking. 

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo focused on the quality of my Basics and 'getting it in'

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata tuned into connecting my Breathing to my techniques.

Next I did a round of Modern Arnis Cane Anyo 1-4 with gloves on. I did #1 on both sides but it was so cold that I did # 2,3 & 4 on the right side only. My fingers hurt even though I was wearing gloves!

I returned to the house to eat breakfast and journal today's practices.

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Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's a cool 55 and windy at the house. The sunrise was at 7:18. The high tide was at 4:44 (3.0'). I've moved Lori to Friday at 9. Ginnie is still sick and I'm sleeping in the guest room. 

Notes:

I saw Dave to talk to on my way to the beach yesterday late afternoon. I changed my Patreon subscription with Sifu Ray to $10 per month. The current rate went up 20 per month to $170 which I feel is too expensive to sustain.

I counted today as Day #7 in the Rotation.

It was freezing cold on the beach this morning with a stiff N wind. My fingers hurt like when I was sledding in Turners Falls. Not very comfortable. I cut my practice a bit short.

The Practice:

It was cold and windy so I had my ear flaps down and my hood up. Even with gloves on my fingers started to hurt.

I started with a full round of the original 10 Exercises focused on Warming Up.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I was a bit distracted by the dogs on the beach and my fingers aching. I focused on Relaxed (Ha) Balance. It was very challenging because of the 'quicksand' that I was practicing in.

Next I did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) focused on Form and turning to the rear and consistency.

I was too cold to continue so I returned to the house to warm my fingers, make breakfast and journal today's practices.

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Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 63 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:17. The low tide was at 10:14. I'm counting this as Day #7 in the rotation.

Notes: 

There were lots of tourists on the beach this morning. Roger stopped to talk right at the end of my Round. I saw Tonya and Dave as they were coming back south from their walk. Dave kept walking he had 10lb (I think) blue dumbbells in hand.

I noticed a guy on the beach at 23rd Ave doing Kata while I was doing The 10+. He was gone before I started my Round, Anyo, Kata and Weapons Forms. I think I saw him doing a traditional Naihanchi Kata. He looked like a beginner/intermediate player. But I really don't know.

I saw Nicole waved and said hi on 22nd Ave. She was just heading out. I noticed her wearing a weighted vest.

Ginnie is still sick and may go to urgent care later this morning. I have to go to Publics for groceries.

The Practice:

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

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into the Reverse Peristalsis action by contracting and relaxing the muscles in the legs and hips. I stopped at the end of Part III to talk to Roger and when I went back I realized I was on the left side so I switched back ending the Round on the right side. Oy Vey!!

Next I did Yin style Baguazhang Changes 1-4 (both sides) I realized afterwards it should have been Changes 5-8 (for Day #7 in the Rotation. Oh well....Maybe later to today or I'll stick with Day #7 again tomorrow. I'm finding sticking with the day's of the rotation challenging. 

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito focused on Sequence and the quality of my Basics.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on the overall quality of my Posrures and Basics.

Next I used by black Arnis Canes to do a round of Double Dao (again) focused on shoulder health, mobility and agility.

I returned to the house to eat breakfast and journal today's practices.

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Sunday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 64 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:17. The low tide was at 9:10. Ginnie's still sick.

Notes: I saw the couple that I saw yesterday. The guy was doing calisthenics then swimming in the ocean and the woman did Hatha Yoga on the beach. I noticed them watching me from the balcony at Ocean Beach Club as I was doing Double Dao.

The Practice:

I got slightly confused about which Form I should be doing. Hmmm!

I started with a brief Warm Up focused on stretching my fascia and connective tissue.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I remained focused on abdominal Breathing and Relaxed Balance. I noticed that my right leg balance is better than my left leg, even though I primarily kicked with my right leg and used my left leg for balance. Go figure!

Next I did all 8 Postures/Standing Post Training and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Yin style Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) reciting the names of the Postures as I did them.

At this point I questioned which Form to do. I thought I was on Day #7 but the Baguazhang Set that I just did was Day #6

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim again. Day #6 I really like this Anyo! D

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata Day #7 focused on using the Correct Sequence and quality Basics.

Next I did a round of Double Dao using two (black) Arnis Sticks.

I returned to the house to eat breakfast and journal today's practices.

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Next

Saturday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 61 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:17. The low tide was at 8:06. I've got a 10 video chat with Jeff this morning. Ginnie's still sick, I slept in the guest room again last night. I had terrible heartburn and had to get some antacids to help.

Notes: Wes stopped and talked when I had just started Kusanku Kata. He asked if I knew that the gym had changed hands. He told me that he and his wife had an insurance agency for 26 years. 

I saw Rocco on the way back to the house. He told me that he just received one hearing aid (right ear). He was out walking on A1A.

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency, cultivating (and reminding myself of) internal principles and overall health.

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on Song. Ding Jing, alignment and Breathing:

Breathing; In and Out through the nose; Slow, Fine, Even and Soft

Breathing in, Qi is in me

Breathing out, I'm in Qi

Next I did all 8 Postures of Standing Post Training followed by Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) focused on incorporating some of what I saw Master Zhang Jie demonstrate in a video that I recently ran across and also a few things from watching Ken Cohen do and explain the 8 Mother Palms that he learned from B. P. Chan.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on using good quality basics and applications

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata tuned into agility and mobility using deeper Stances and monitoring my balance on the unstable 'quick sand' close to the water's edge.

I did a round of Monkey Staff and Lo Family Staff at the gym yesterday using Gary's 6' Staff that he left there. FYI - I found out from Dereck that the gym sold and the new owner will take over January 1sr.

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Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 61 at the house. The low tide was at 7:05. The sunrise was at 7:16. 

Notes: With Ginnie sick and coughing up a lung I decided to sleep in the guest room about midnight. 

I'm not going out for sunrise again this morning. I do plan on going to the beach to practice, all be it a little late, but still.....

Notes:

Wes stopped to talk on his north in his golf cart. I saw Rocco on the walk back to the house and stopped to apologize for our absence this week and to comment on the fabulous lasagna that he and Nancy made and delivered yesterday, even though we had to bow out of Christmas dinner with them because of Ginnie being sick. 

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on getting back to my regular routine. Taking time off for whatever reason makes getting back to it that much harder. It's amazing even a day or two can make a huge difference.

Next I did a Round (left side) tuned into whole body connect "Like A String Of Pearls", relaxed balance and Song.

Next I did all 8 Postures of Standing Post Training followed by Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) I found myself incorporating a few things from watching Ken Cohen explain the Yin style 8 Mother Palms he learned from B. P. Chan. Ken was my first introduction to Bagua during a seminar he taught at Paul Gallaghers WuMingValleyHouse in Hadley Ma back in the 1970's. Mr Chan studied Baguazhang with Dr. Leung Kay-Chi the #1 Disciple of Grandmaster Liu Yun Chiao. I later studied Yin style Baguazhang with Dr. Leung. I never forgot that first lesson with Ken Cohen.

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo tuned into applications and the overall quality of my stances and basics.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata focused on agility and mobility. I tuned into the spinning on one foot and the leaping for the Flying Front Kicks.

I returned to the house to eat breakfast and journal today's practices.

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Thursday Christmas Practice

 

The Details:

It's 63 at the house. It's Christmas morning and I've decided to do a Round in the backyard and skip the sunrise beach practice this morning. 

The Practice:

I started with a brief Warm Up 

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I was a little off and was primarily focused on consistency and 'getting it in'. 

I took a QW beach walk in the late afternoon. I finally managed to make up to the next walkover. It's been a strange week. I usually add the Walkover on Monday, but alas with my Mom passing and the Christmas holiday's I've been a little out of sorts! To say the least.

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 62 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:15. The low tide was at 5:11.

Mom passed last evening. I'm working out the details with my sister Chris.

Ginnie has come down with a cold/flu. We're not sure about what to do with the plans for dinner with Mary Kay and then tomorrow with Nancy, Rocco and Mary Kay. We cancelled everything but I'm still cooking the Prime Rib.

Notes:

I saw Josh talk when I walked to the beach.

The Practice:

I did a brief Warm Up focused on getting my head straight. The time on the beach at sunrise is a good thing for that.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into cultivating a profound connection to Nature. I dedicated the Round to my Mom.

Next I did Standing PT using all 8 Postures focused on whole body Song.

I did a round of Taiji Staff at the Gym yesterday afternoon (both sides) the left side was a bit wonky. 

 I was distracted by the large number of tourists on the beach. I did a round of Anyo Apat and Wansu Kata in the backyard after I returned to the house. 

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 65 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:15. The high tide was at 10:50 (2.8'). I went to Gaffe's in Port Orange early, it was still super busy there. 

It's Day #3 in the Rotation.....

Notes: 

It was a very social morning on the beach. First Roger stopped to chat then John stopped. I saw Dave on his front porch. He told me that he and Tonya are flying to Maine to be with Tonya's Mom for Christmas. I waved to several other folks and asked a new tourist to put his dog  (German Shepperd  Mix) on a leash. He complied.

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ (without the Ba Shi) focused on being consistent for my overall health.

Next I did an interrupted Round (right side) I stopped several times to chat with a few of the folks that I know from years of practicing on the beach at sunrise.

Next I did a round of Yin style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides)

I found myself negotiating with myself about doing or not doing Day #3. Ugh!! The excuse was 'there were so many tourists on the beach. As soon as I recognized the intent to procrastinate, I simply took my own advice to Not think and just DO!

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on the overall quality of my Stances and Basics and Applications.

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata tuned in the flow and sequence.

Next I did a round of Taiji Dao using a wooden Bokken tuned into the timing of Stance and Posture.

Next I did a round of Pakua Knife focused on using the correct sequence, agility and mobility. This is a very challenging (the most?) Form as one ages even with several modifications it's still challenging.

I returned to the house to eat breakfast and prepare to go up to Gaffe

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Sinawali Boxing Feat. Grandmaster Remy A. Presas

Mr B P Chan

Monday Practice

 

I wore my Santa Ball Cap to the sunrise/practice this morning. I got more than a few waves, comments and Merry Christmas's

The Details:
It's 65 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:15. The high tide was at 10:11 (2.8'). We have a wind mitigation guy coming to inspect the house somewhere between 10-12 this morning. We have a lunch date with Walker out at the Tiki Cove a taco place in Venetian Bay.

Notes:

I saw Kathy on 22nd Ave. She was asking about The Beach, thinking at high tide that there was no place to walk. I told her that was not my experience this year.  That for whatever reason there was more beach left at high tide. At least in comparison to the past few years.

I saw Josh to wave to. Roger (SC) stopped to chat on his way south and then again on his way north. JK (Jodie from Gainsville) stopped to ask about what I was doing (Taiji Jian). I had a few other 'regulars' say hi (I think it was the Santa Hat) 

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10 + with just a few modifications. I was mostly concerned with getting back to consistency for my overall health. I find that I don't really want to do The 10+ but I've realized that the only one that not doing them affects is me and my overall health. 

'Don't think, just do (whatever it is)!'

Next I did a Round (left side). I had several interruptions to chat. It was a very social morning on the beach. I think the Santa Hat was disarming to some that wouldn't normally say hi or wave.

Next I did a round of Yin style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) reciting the names of the postures throughout and rotating all the way to the rear, adding more awareness to rotation in my Thoracic Spine.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa tuned into adding more focus to my Punches.

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata tuned into the changes I've made to this Kata.

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian using my wooden Bokken. I recited the names of the postures throughout the Form. I stopped to chat with JK and had some confusion when I got back to the sequence. But the social time with a new person was worth it.

I returned to the house to eat breakfast and journal today's practices. 

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Happy Winter Solstice

 

Date & Time: December 21, 2025, at 10:03 AM EST The shortest day of the year.