Wednesday Practice

 

An odd flower popped up from this cactus in the backyard.

The Details:

It's 70 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:52. The low tide was at 5:46. It's forecast to be raining, but it turns out that the rain is further south, here it's just overcast and gray. I have a scheduled guitar lesson on Zoom from 11-12.

The Practice:

Yesterday afternoon:

I QW The Beach north until I reached 16th Ave. Then I met up with GG and Echo and walked south down the beach with them then across A1A where we almost got hit by a crazy driver that didn't stop. Oy Vey!!

Yesterday Morning around low tide there's plenty of beach to walk and practice on. The tide is at a time in it's cycle. Yay!

Today:

I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. I have a lesson later this morning. 

Next I went out to The Backyard and started with a brief warm up using the first few of The 10 tuned into health and consistency.

Next I did a Round of Taijiquan (right side) tuned into 'no thought' (no conscious thought) and observing from a third party perspective. I found myself tuned into Counter Balancing throughout the Round, especially when doing Brush Knee Twist and Jade Maiden.

Next I did a short SPT and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat tuned into the correct sequence and direction as well as applications.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata tuned into agility and mobility especially on the Zen Dashi's and Single Leg Squats.

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 68 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:51. The last low tide was at 4:43. I'm going to try to get down to the beach for sunrise (finally). We are planning to drive up to Jacksonville to visit my Mom this morning.

The Practice:

Yesterday afternoon:

Around 5 I went down to the beach to QW. I was there about an hour after low tide and I was pleased that there was plenty of beach to walk on.

Qigong Walking: Loose - Supple - Relaxed

Today:

I finally made it out to the beach for sunrise this morning. It felt good and very familiar. I hope to get back into the habit of getting out there to photograph the sunrise and practice. I didn't see any of the 'regulars'.

I started with a QW up to 27th Ave. It was close to low tide so there was plenty of beach to walk and practice on...Yay!!

When I got back to 21st Ave I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency (self-discipline), health and mobility.

Next I did a Round (left side) of Taijiquan reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I and tuned into a profound connection to nature's Qi. I cultivated sunrise and ocean Qi throughout the round but especially during Wave Hands and Jade Maiden. 

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

Next I did a round Chinto Kata focused on agility and mobility.

I ended with Healing Qigong before returning to the house to write and get ready to head up to Jacksonville. I've got to drop the truck off at Stewarts to get the passenger side rear tire repaired. Apparently there is a slow leak somewhere?

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 68 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:50. The next high tide is at 10:26, I'm up early enough but I still think I'll be practicing in The Backyard again today. I do plan on sunrise once the tide cycle is s

The Practice:

I gave myself a day off from QW The Beach yesterday. We went out to Voo La Voo Cafe for dinner. The food was fabulous. 

I started inside with acoustic guitar and drum set practice. I continue to work on the 8 pages of exercises from the book 'Syncopation' ala Alan Dawson. This is material that I was introduced to when I was studying drum set with Keith L. at Downtown Sounds. I remember driving down to Noho on Thursday afternoons and Buddy K. would lead the Youth Karate Class 4:30-5:30 and I would be back in Greenfield in time to lead the 5:30 Taijiquan Class and the 6:30-8:30 Adult Karate Class.

Next I went out to The Backyard and did a brief warm up using the first few of The 10 tuned into health and mobility.

Next I worked on Change #6 (The Phoenix) and #5 from Yin Fu's 8 Palm Set.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim tuned into agility and applications

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata tuned into mobility and health and consistency (requires self-discipline)

I ended with SPT and Healing Qigong.

We're going to Best Buy to shop for a new flat screen TV this afternoon. 

Yin Fu 6th Palm - The Phoenix

 

Yin Fu Baguazhang 8 Palms Set - The 6th Palm - The Phoenix -

Sunday Practice

 The Details:

It's 70 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:49. High tide is a t 9:34. I'll be practicing in The Backyard again this morning.

The Practice:

Yesterday afternoon:

I went out to QW The Beach at around 4:30. I walked south towards 27th Ave thinking I was close enough to low tide (3:30 ish) but alas when I got down to the 27th Ave Ramp I was surprised to see that the water was already going part way up the ramp and I was unable to continue south. Oy! So I turned around before my sneakers got wet and walked north past Las Brisas. I focused on TLB 4 steps inhale and 6 steps exhale and maintaining a Loose, Supple, Relaxed body freely allowing the counter rotation of my hips and shoulders feeling the momentum swing my arms forward and backward with a slight expression of energy connected to the Bubbling Well Points and the contraction of my calf muscles.

Today:

I went out to The Backyard after my 10-11 meeting with Jeff. 

I started with a round of Taiji Jian (straight sword) using the folding Jian that I was gifted by Sifu Ray. I focused on the tip of the sword throughout and the discipline that I used to get started with my goal of being consistent in my practice of this form. I thought about the names of the postures without reciting them.

Next I did a brief warm up using the first few of The 10 focused on health and maintaining mobility.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics and tuned into 'Swimming In Air' and feeling Peng Jin flowing freely up and down the 9 zig zag path. It's Sunday so I practiced while listening to classical music. This morning I practiced to Bach.

Next I did a SPT and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on correct sequence and direction of postures.

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata tuned into mobility, health and agility.

I baked this morning. That's a lot of work to prepare and clean up.

Saturday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 62 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:48. High tide is at 8:42 this morning. It looks like I'll be practicing in The Backyard again this morning. 

The Practice:

Yesterday afternoon:

I started inside with Bass Guitar practice followed by Drum Set and Acoustic Guitar practice. I'm slowly making progress across the board. Consistency works!!

Around 4:30 I went out to QW (Qigong Walking) The Beach:

Roll The Feet

Soften The Knees

Release The Lower Back By Aligning The Head And Shoulders.

TLB (Taoist Longevity Breathing) 4 Steps Inhale, 6 Steps Exhale

Breathing: Slow, Fine, Even and Soft

QW: Loose - Supple - Relaxed

- Align to Relax -

Relax Releases In All Directions 

And Connects Internally And Externally 

I thought that there would be more beach to walk on since the low tide was at 2:30. I was barely able to get past the seawalls at 16th and 18th Avenues. It's a full moon tonight so it's a 'King Tide' and the highest tides are in November and there's a strong N/E wind coming ashore all that makes for hardly any beach to walk on except for at low tide. Oy Vey!! Hopefully it will get better? Fingers Crossed

I made it all the way to The Pelican Condos before turning around and QW back to 21st Ave where I did a full round of Wuji Hundun Qigong and some Walkover Exercises before returning to the house.

Today:

I went out to The Backyard to practice around 8:30 ish and started with a full round of The 10+ focused on the discipline needed to be consistent. If I choose to not do them, I feel that I'm the only one that loses. So the basic idea is to not think, just DO! The secret (shhh) if you find yourself ready to clean closets, just start!

Next I did a Round of Taijiquan (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I - I tuned into calibrating my frequency to connect to 'the information'. I had glimpses of getting the knowledge/information from the ether. 

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa tuned into more snap/focus on my punches and agility in the stance work.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on quality basic punches and kicks adding more snap and proper extension. I was focused on overall health.

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 70 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:47. High tide at 7:50. It's the wrong timing for the high tides and it's making QW The Beach and photographing the sunrise a bit challenging. I may be practicing in the back yard again this morning. My Friday morning video meeting with Jeff has be rescheduled to Sunday. I'm meeting Bill R. at The Wake Up Cafe at 11 this morning.

The Practice:

Yesterday afternoon:

I QW to the beach. I walked north until the 16th Ave walkover. The tide was too high to continue on the beach so I walked north on Hill Street up to The Pelican and went out on the south side boardwalk to practice and take a look at the ocean and beach. It was 2 1/2 hours before high tide and the wave were already breaking all the way up to the seawall at The Pelican Condos. Oy!

I did a full round of The 21 and Healing Qigong before QW back down Hill Street to the house. 

Today:

I started inside with reading out of 'Evidence' a book of poems by Mary Oliver that Janee gifted me back in October. I've been reading a poem a day first thing in the morning since I received the book. With gratitude and appreciation.

Next I went out to the backyard and started with a round of Taiji Double Dao Form using the double broadsword set that I have here. I focused on mobility and agility and general overall health. I went slow and low in the Cross Leg Stances for hip mobility.

Next I did a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and the application of self discipline. I was cautious not to overthink them. Just Do It! I had a fair amount of internal dialog and negotiations with myself. Oy! Just DO IT!

Next I did a Round of Taijiquan (right side) focused on:

- Opening the body

- Releasing turbid Qi

- Cultivating Qi

- Balancing Qi

*NOTE: I use discipline to stay consistent - I DO NOT rely on motivation - When I realize that I'm starting to negotiate with myself, I discipline myself to start the session. I often find that I use discipline to start a session but once I get started, I find that I get motivated and end up doing more than I originally thought I would. Disciplining oneself to start pays off....Big Time! 

Don't think just do!!

Next I did SPT (Standing Post Training) and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa adding more pop and agility throughout the Anyo

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata solidifying the changes that I'm making to that Kata. It's coming along nicely. 

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 75 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:46. High tide at 6:58, There will be little to no beach to walk and practice on. I'm contemplating when and where to practice.....Hmmm! I decided to practice in The Backyard on The Patio.

The Practice:

Yesterday afternoon:

I went out around 4:30 to QW The Beach, but alas high tide was at 6:30 and with the wind coming in from the east there wasn't enough beach to walk on (with sneakers). So I walked up Hill Street to The Pelican. Once I got to The Pelican I stopped on the south side and practiced on the boardwalk. 

I did the last 3 changes to Yin Fu 8 Palms. I focused on consistency and mobility and agility. It was very windy so cut it a bit short and QW back to the house on Hill Street.

Today:

I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. I worked on the two songs and the myriad of finger picking exercises that I currently have in my repertoire. I used a metronome set at 80 BPM.

This morning I'm contemplating the use of the word 'Consistency' which is one of my main training methods. I'm realizing that what it really takes to be Consistent is Discipline. I rarely 'feel like' doing 'it', When I find myself overthinking ______ (Whatever) I just start doing 'it'. I've learned a lot from my extensive oral care routine in the evening before bed. It works, and it only actually take about 20-30 minutes once I get going. Discipline is the highest order of self-love IMHO. 

Don't Think

Just Do

Once I got started I did a full round of The 10+ using discipline to remain consistent. These Qigong Exercises are extremely healthy if done daily. If or should I say when I don't have the discipline to do them, I feel that I am the only one that loses out. I feel that way very strongly and it helps to motivate you to start. Overthinking kills everything! I learned that from my musical practices. 

Again

Don't Think 

Just Do

Next I did a Round of Taiji (left side) focused on not overthinking but third party observation and monitoring the Taiji Principles. I tuned into Jin moving freely up and down the 9 zig zag path. Feeling the earth pushing up against  the bottoms of my feet, especially the Bubbling Well Points.

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo tuned into the correct sequence right at the end of the Anyo.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on abdominal breathing (TLB [Taoist Longevity Breathing])

I finished with Healing Qigong

Old School Karate-do. Part 1

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 76 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:46. The last high tide was at 6:05. I'm up and at it early again this morning. That's step one!!

The Practice:

Yesterday late afternoon:

I wanted to try Qigong Walking The Beach without shoes on. So I located a pair of flip flops to walk down to the beach with. Once I arrived at the beach I left the flip flops under the Walkover and proceeded north on the beach until I got to 16th Ave. 

Next I did Changes 1-5 (on both sides) of Yin Fu 8 Palms. I concentrated on change #5 after watching Sifu Ray explain the change in detail. 

Next I QW The Beach back to the house.

The tide was up and there was very little beach to walk on. I was happy I was barefoot.

Today:

I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. I worked on Sugar Babe and Freight Train first then moved on to exercises 1-4 from the Travis Picking Book. I have a Zoom lesson with Shubal at 11 this morning. 

I took my long rattan cane with me down to the beach around 8. I started walking south towards 27th Ave but turned around (there was no beach to walk on) and walked north to the 21st Ave Walkover to practice.

I started with a brief warm up using the first few from The 10

Next I used my long rattan cane to do a round of all four Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's. I did #1 on both sides the others just the right. I focused on wrist and shoulder health and consistency.

Next I did a Round of Taiji (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics and feeling my whole body be light and agile. I'm contemplating the idea of maintaining mobility for regular life as I practiced. I feel so fortunate to have Taijiquan in my life. With gratitude and appreciation.

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito focused on correct sequence and direction of postures.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on the diagram of this Kata. I continue to get befuddled and slightly confused about the sequence and direction of postures. It's coming along....but slowly!

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong before walking back to the house.

I'm planning on going up to Gaff's this morning in time to be back for my 11 am guitar lesson on line. We've got Spectrum Tech. coming to fix (hopefully) our cable box. Oy! Dealing with Spectrum is a nightmare!!

Choose your own path......

 

Choose your own path

Baguazhang Master Park Bok Nam

 

Baguazhang Master Park Bok Nam

Tuesday Practice

 The Details:

It's 72 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:45. The high tide was at 5:12. It's a forecast to be a beautiful day. I finally managed to get up and dressed before sunrise but I've yet to get out to the beach. It looks like there was some pink in the sky about 20-30 minutes before the sun came up and washed it all away. 

The Practice:

Yesterday late afternoon:

I QW  (Qigong Walking) The Beach north to The Wave and stopped there because the tide was too high to go any further. I met Elizabeth on the way, she was the only other person on the beach. I went onto The Walkover to practice and did a full round of Yin Fu Linking Palms Set focused on consistency and health. The Kick Ups at the beginning of each change are gold.

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima focused on applications and consistency.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata focused on agility, health and consistency.

I QW down Hill Street and then back home

                                              Beach Art I spotted yesterday late afternoon.

Today:

I got up early (5:15) but had dog duty. I wanted to let GG sleep in, so I started inside with acoustic guitar practice. I've been working on finger style guitar from the Travis Picking Book that was recommended by my guitar teacher Shubal. I worked on Outside/Inside and Inside/Outside Picking. It's the first exercises in the book. I realized I've already been working on the Inside/Outside pattern but I haven't been working on the Outside/Inside version. Now I've got both!! Yay!

Next I QW The Beach north towards The Pelican Condos tuned into TLB (Taoist Longevity Breathing) with a 4 step inhale and a 6 step exhale. The idea is to stimulate the Vagus Nerve by exhaling longer than inhaling. I also used the 'Birthday Cake' style of breathing out through a small opening in my mouth. Ala blowing out birthday candles.

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

For #9 I did Snake and Hawk Palm and Pheonix Palm. I emphasized The Three Swings and Song Gong for #10.

Next I did a Round of Taiji (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I'm developing an extraordinary and profound connection to the ocean and nature in general. 

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat tuned into applications, snap and extension in punches and kicks and agility.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata tuned into low Zen Dashi Stances cultivating more agility in this 73 year old body. Agility becomes an issue as you age....There's no getting around it. The best you can hope for it to slow down the aging (lack of agility) process through exercises that strengthen (Yang) and loosen (Yin) and by all means study and practice Taijiquan and Qigong. At any rate KEEP MOVING!

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong before QW back to the house to write.

                              I saw this Snowy Egret searching for breakfast on this morning's walk.

A profile of Taijiquan master Ray Hayward

 

A profile of Master Ray Hayward