The importance of silence

 

Silence

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 76 and humid as heck at the house. The sunrise was at 6:40. The last low tide was at 5:13.

The Practice:

I started with guitar practice at the house. I've been feeling a bit under the weather the past day or so......So I'm taking it easy today.

It about 8 I did a 30 minute Qigong Walk (QW) first south but then even though it was hours away from high tide there wasn't enough beach to continue walking south so I turned around and walked up to the 21st Ave walkover. I was looking for a stretch of beach that had less seaweed.

Next I did a round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health. At #9 I did the first 4 changes of Yin Fu's 8 Palm Set one repetition on each side while I recited the names of the postures. I focused on agility, encouraging the ability to turn to look behind me.

Next I used my wooden broadsword to do a round of Modern Arnis Cane Anyo 1-4 on the right side. I focused on consistency and ease of remaining in the proper sequence in the correct direction. 

Next I did a Round of Taiji (right side) reciting Taiji Classics and focusing on connecting and cultivating Nature's Qi.

Next I did a SPT (Standing Post Training) connecting with the horizon and cultivating Nature Qi

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo tuned into consistency and quality basics.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on Breathing and connecting my tan t'ien (Hara) with my strikes.

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

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 75 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:40. Lots of unpacking, organizing and grocery shopping to do today.........Oy!

The Practice:

I've decided to up my Qigong Walking by adding a morning session before I practice.

*Qigong Walking (QW) - Reciting "Loose, Supple and Relaxed" -  Emphasizing the opposite rotation of hips and shoulders - Rolling the feet - Using TLB (Taoist Longevity Breathing) - Contracting the perineum and feeling as if walking on a trampoline. 

Today I QW (Qigong Walking) down to the beach around 8 am, but the tide was too high to walk on the beach even though high tide isn't until 11 am. So I walked on Hill Street up to The Pelican Condo's (15 minutes)  and practiced  on the south side boardwalk. 

I started with a full round of The 10+ adding railing stretching and railing push ups and using Snake and Hawk Palm Change from the Yin Fu 8 Palms Set when I got to #9.

Next I did a Round of Taiji (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics while I practiced. I added:

Reciting "Loose, Supple and Relaxed" while I was walking emphasizing the opposite rotation of hips and shoulders.

Breathing In The Sea Is In Me,

Breathing Out I am The Sea

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

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata - Note the sequence and direction of postures at the end of Sunsu are really flushing out. 

I finished with Healing Qigong

Next I Qigong Walked back to the house.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday Practice

 The Details:

I'm on The Road for the next few days. It might be Monday before I can get internet access and a computer. Until then......My main goal is to stay consistent. 

It's Monday and we're finally here! Yay!!

The Practices:

I'm going to try for early (very early) morning rounds with brief warm ups. I'll write it up when I can. 

Saturday, I practiced outside at a rest area in Maryland. Basic practice starting with a brief warm up and a Round (left side) focused on consistency and health.

Sunday practice:

I practiced in the hotel room early before we left to drive (500 miles) to Sherry's in Bluffton SC

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency. My lower back was pretty tight from the long day of driving the day before. 

Next I did a Round of Taiji (right side) tuned into consistency.

Monday Practice:

I practiced outside on the patio at Sherry's with a great view of The Woods behind her house.

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health. My back felt normal throughout. Yesterday's round of The 10 really helped....Yay! 

Next I did a round of Taiji (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I 

I finished with Healing Qigong.

Next we drove south to Orange Park and stopped to visit with my 96 year old Mom. 

Next we drove south to New Smyrna Beach

The beach took a beating with Hurricane's Helene and Milton. I heard that Miltons winds were up around 100 mph. Yikes! The big black bags seemed to work....So far, so good! Yay!!

Friday Practice - Day 8,525 -

 

The Details:

It's a warm 67 at the house. Incredibly warm for November 1st! The sunrise was at 7:25. Final day to pack. We plan on leaving tomorrow morning.......Early!

Pack, pack and more packing.....This is the first time migrating south in the new Honda Passport. 

The Practice:

In between packing I went out to The Driveway and did a brief warm up using the first few of The 10

Next I did a Round of Taiji (left side) focused on consistency. I also focused on connecting to nature's Qi and Swimming in Air.

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong

Off to do more packing and organizing.

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 50 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:24. Serious packing and preparing today........Oy!

The Practice:

Busy, busy day! I started inside with guitar practice.

After returning from my second trip to town to do chores I went out to The Barn for a modified round of The 10 + and some resistance training.

Next I went out to my main practice area and did a Round of Taiji (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics and focusing on embodying Taiji Principles, consistency and discipline. 

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

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata using a deeper Zen Dashi Stance, focusing on agility and health.

I finished with Healing Qigong and SPT

1-4 Palm Change review from Yin Fu Ba Gua Zhang - with Sifu Ray Hayward

The last jam of the season

 

                The last jam of the season yesterday. I'll surely miss this guys and our regular jams! Oy!!

VOTE!

 

                                                     I voted! You should too!!

Success requires discipline!

 

Success requires discipline - Read that again!

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 50 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:23. It's forecast to be warmer today and even warmer (high 70's) tomorrow. I suspect it's the last hurrah. We've got to be in Northampton for 9 this morning. I'm missing seeing Paul today......Sending Healing Energy>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Practice:

I started my practice in the parking lot of the Pioneer Spine and Sports after dropping off GG. 

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

After driving back to Leyden I went out on The Deck and did a  Round of Taiji (left side) focused on consistency and embodying Taiji Principles throughout the Round. I recited the Taiji Classics and more during Parts I & II

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima focused on the sequence and the quality of my basics.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata tuned into agility and health.

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong.

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 39 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:21. Busy day starting with preparing for the final 'Ponton day' and packing and preparing for our departure on Saturday. I've got a guitar lesson at 1 and music with Blue Pearl from 2-4....Oh and packing, packing and more packing!!

The Practice:

I started with guitar practice in the house in preparation for my lesson at 1.

Next I went out to The Barn and did a brief warm up using the first few of The 10

Next I did a Round of Taiji (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics and focusing on 'Swimming In Air' and cultivating Nature's Qi. I also was focused on being consistent in my daily practice of the Taiji Solo Form.

A shorter practice today ......Busy, busy!!

I finished with Healing Qigong.

We Shake with Joy

 We Shake with Joy

We Shake with Joy, we Shake with grief.

What a time they have, these two

housed as they are in the same body.

Mary Oliver

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 39 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:20. Today I'm still packing and preparing for our trip south on Saturday. So much to do!!

The Practice:

I started inside with guitar practice. I've been having a challenging time getting started in my internal martial arts practice. This week I've got a ton of chores to do to get ready to leave for Florida  early Saturday morning. 

I went out to The Barn to practice...It's cold out!

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

At #8 I used Dumbbells and continued with TRX Straps and Curls.

Next I did a Round of Taiji (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics and Swimming In Air.

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat focused on full extension with more focus on my punches and application of the postures throughout.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata tuned into health and agility.

I finished with Healing Qigong.

                                                        GG with Luigi and Paco