It's been raining leaves lately.
The Details:
It's 60 at the house. Nothing scheduled today! Yay!!
The Practice:
I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. Yesterday I decided to try using a pick (my right hand) and my middle and ring fingers to Travis Pick. I've been through all the songs in the Travis Picking Book using this method. It'll take a few weeks but I think that using a regular pick instead of a thumb pick. Time will tell if this is the way to go.I realize that I need to make a more permanent decision on what method I'm going to use. I reminds of the decision that I need to make holding drum sticks with my left hand. The dilemma is: Traditional Grip vs Matched Grip, in the end I use both depending on the groove. I practice mostly traditional grip but I'm faster (and louder) with matched grip. I suspect something similar with happen with the right hand dilemma with picks. For some Finger Style guitar I'll probably decide to simply hold the pick and play with my Finger Only (without any pick and without growing my finger nails.)
Next I read the poem "A Lesson From James Wright" by Mary Oliver's from her book of poems "Evidence"
"Silence is a Poem"
Around mid morning I went out on The Deck. Echo declined to join me. I started my practice with a full round of The 10+. I focused on the overall health benefits I derive from the daily practice of this very special set of exercises. I've realized that IF I don't do them I'm the only one that looses!
Don't think, just Do!!
Next I went out to my main practice area and to do a Round (right side) to Master Liang counting out the beats to his Taiji Music. I only lost my place once at the end of Part III. I've come to realize that I need to maintain Zhong Ding in-between postures, otherwise the count/music does not give the practitioner time to "Set Up" and regain relaxed balance. I first noted that paradigm while doing Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg. There's no time to set up the next move if you are not continuously in relaxed balance (Zhong Ding).
"Slow is Smooth,
Smooth is Fast"
Next I did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides). I'm still having a bit of confusion on Change #3 (Bear Palm) on the right side at the "Change Step" I did it correctly but it was not 'clear'.
Next I did a round of Anyo Apat tuned into the correct sequence in the correct direction. I had a bit of confusion at the very end of the Anyo.
Next I did a round of Wansu Kata focused on using quality basics throughout the Kata
Next I did a round of Taiji Staff (both sides) focused on quality Stance Work.
Next I did a round of The 21 (Taiji Qigong) tuned into the correct amount of stretch in the White Tissue using the correct sequence.
I finished with Healing Qigong.
I returned to the house to journal today's practice.