Tai Chi applications

Monday Practice

The Details:

It's 71 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:07. The high tide was at 5:35. I'm moving a bit slow this morning. The current news and politics are weighing heavily on me. Oy Vey!

The Practice:

As the morning went on, I decided to practice out in the backyard, instead of the beach.

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

Next I did a Round (right side) I focused on staying in the moment but I still had a couple of times that I goofed up and had to backtrack in the sequence and remind myself to 'stay in the moment'.

Next I did a round of Taiji Staff, Monkey Staff and Lo Family Staff, focused on correct sequence and direction of postures and well as consistency. I had a few issues with balance and agility on the grass. I've noticed a marked decrease in mobility, agility and relaxed balance this season. I've been working on it but you just can't outrun father time! Oy!

Next I did a short stint of Standing and Healing Qigong

Next I moved back onto the patio and did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on more snap and focus on my punches, blocks and kicks.

I finished with a round of Seisan Kata tuned into full extension, focused (Fa Jin) and timing of my punches, blocks and kicks.

 

Sunday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 71 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:08. The low tide was at 11:04. Very light breeze this morning, just enough to keep the no-see-ums away.

The Practice:

I started inside with reading a poem from Mary Oliver's book 'Evidence'. I'm moving a bit slow this morning and after deciding where I was going to practice, I decided on the backyard, mainly because the beach has been full of tourists lately and I'm a bit sick of the intrusion of folks walking, running and riding past me way to close.....I'm appalled at the lack of consideration. I'll give them the benefit of doubt; Most know not what they are doing. 

After going out to the backyard and setting up the umbrella for shade I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency.

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian using my wooden Jian. I recited the names of the postures throughout the form.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. It was challenging to stay on the right side and at least once I had to adjust because I had inadvertently switched (don't know where) to the left. I didn't over react I simply switched back to the right. It's one of the things that happens once you have both sides 'feeling' the same. It's good and challenging all at the same time!

Next I did a short Standing session

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa focusing on the quality and pop of my punches. I also used light body during the progressive stance sequence with more of a leap than I generally use, focused on agility.

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata tuned into the chambering of the angle kicks as well as the changes that I've made to this Kata.

I finished with Healing Qigong before returning to the house for breakfast.

Han Ching Tan system kung fu video 韓慶堂系國術影像記錄

Saturday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 71 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:09. The low tide was at 10:06. There were a lot of tourists on the beach. I saw Wes, Rocko and Nancy.

The Practice:

I QW to the beach just after sunrise.

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

Next I did a Round (left side) tuned into staying on the left side. I had a few moments where I was slightly confused about which side I was on and had to make adjustments. 

Next I did a full round of Standing Post Training using the Taoist Training Method of doing the most difficult postures (overhead) in the middle and ending (and beginning) with the easiest. I also tuned into abdominal breathing, alignment and Song.

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito (I realized that I did Anyo Walo yesterday, so I interchanged them) I did the Anyo close to the seawall at Ocean Condos for privacy a and had a challenging time keeping the sequence and direction of postures straight. I did pretty well, but not perfect. It was challenging!

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata tuned into the timing of the the twist in my punches and breathing from the Dantien.

Next I used my wooden Bokken to do a round of Taiji Dao tuned into the sequence and postures.

Next I did a round of the 4 Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's (with my wooden Bokken)

Next I did left side basics with my wooden Bokken

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house.

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's a balmy 73 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:10. The low tide was at 9:05. There was a steady breeze (warm) from the south. There were a lot of tourists on the beach, walking, running and riding....Oy! 

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on loosening up my body. I felt a bit tight from the resistance training I did on Monday and Wednesday.

Next I did a Round (right side). I couldn't remember which side I did yesterday, but about half way through I realized it might have been the right side? I generally default to the right when it's not clear. I focused on No Mind, not overthinking and using a meditative state of mind to observe without interfering. 

Next I did a short round of Standing.

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito focused on spirited punches and full extension on kicks for stretch and applications.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on correct sequence, quality basics, agility, stretch and applications.

Next I did a round of all 4 Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's focused on correct sequence and direction of postures.

Next I did a round of Taiji Cane with my wooden Bokken ( I used it for the Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's too)

Next I did left side basics with my wooden Bokken.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house.

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's a warm 72 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:12. The low tide was at 8:05.

The Practice:

I QW to the beach around 7:00, I saw Dave and Tonya on the beach. 

I shot the sunrise with my phone camera then I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency. 

Don't think, just DO

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on releasing (Song) the area between my armpit and my hips. I focused on feeling and experiencing without 'overthinking'. 

Next I did Standing Post Training.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on agility and applications.

Next I did a round of Kusanku focused on mobility, balance, agility and overall health. This is a strenuous Kata, as I age I'm noticing it more and more. I went slowly and got as low as I could during the lower stances (Zen Dashi etc.).

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house.

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's a warm and steamy (foggy) 72 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:13. The low tide was at 7:05.

There was a slight breeze from the south, enough to keep the no-see-ums away! Yay!!

The Practice:

I QW to the beach just before sunrise. It was warm and foggy on the beach with just a slight breeze from the south, enough to keep the no-see-ums away! Yay!!

After snapping a few photos of the sunrise I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on overall health and consistency.

Next I did a Round (left side) tuned into expressing Jin in my finger tips and using my spine closing and opening as well as focusing on 'Whole Body Power'.

Next I did a full round of Standing Post Training using the Taoist training method of putting the most challenging postures (overhead) in the middle. I focused on the details of the postures and connecting profoundly to nature.

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima tuned into the sequence and applications.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata focused on agility, balance and stretch.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house.

Tuesday Practice - Day 8,676 -

 

The Details:

It's a warm 69 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:14. The low tide was at 6:07. There was no wind at all in the backyard, thus lots of no-see-ums! Ugh!! On the beach there was a slight breeze from the west, just enough to keep the bugs away...I guess? It was significantly better on the beach! 

Elizabeth stopped to chat briefly.....I haven't really seen any of the other 'regulars' walking on the beach at sunrise this season. But then again I haven't been going out for sunrise until recently. Oy!

The Practice:

I started in the backyard with a round of The 10+....The no-see-um's were so bad (even with natural bug spray)  that I decided to walk to the beach for the rest of my morning practice.

It was better on the beach. Once I got down there I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part II. I focused on cultivation with the ocean for a calm and centered state of mind. 

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

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

I finished with Standing and Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house. 

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 69 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:15. The low tide was at 5:11. It's forecast to be a warm one this afternoon.

The Practice:

I QW to the beach just before sunrise. After snapping a few photos with my phone camera I began with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on staying in a positive meditative state of mind when tourists would walk, run or ride by either too close, too loud (on phones) or walk in front of me without any consideration. I did pretty well staying positive and checking my reaction to them. 

Next I did Standing, quietly reflecting on my connection to the ocean.

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on agility and applications.

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata focused on quality stance work, agility and solid basics.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house.

T. T. Liang Performing Tai Chi Sword

Sunday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 71 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:16. The high tide was at 10:12. There was a gentle breeze coming out of the south. We're forecast to have showers this morning.

The Practice:

I QW to the beach just before sunrise. I shot the image above as soon as I arrived on the beach with my phone camera. There was a very heavy cloud bank on the horizon. There was zero color this morning a grey washout. 

I started with a full round of The 10+ and play tag (push-hands) with the ocean. I focused on consistency and health.

Next I did a Round (left side) focused on 'No-Mind' and watching my reaction as tourists walked, ran, chatted and rode bikes way too close to me. I did get a few that recognized me as a human being, others....not so much. It always amazes me how little courtesy there is in the world these days. Perhaps it's always been like this? I'm using it as fodder for checking my reaction to folks invading my tranquil space and questioning any negative reaction inside of myself. It's an ongoing project!!

Next I did SPT and cultivating with nature.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on good quality basic stances, footwork, punches and kicks.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata with the same focus as I had for Anyo Dalawa.

I finished with Standing and Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house.

NOTE: I've realized that I really like it when the tide is coming in/up, with the exception of having to practice in the soft sand and having folks that are walking in the water refuse to change their line; if I have a camera on a tripod I get more courtesy, but not always. That is very curios to me. 

Saturday Practice

 

The Details:

It's a warm 70 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:17. The high tide was at 9:23. There was a light and warm breeze coming from the south. The tide was coming in. I played tag with the ocean. I've come to really enjoy the beach when the tide is coming in. 

The Practice:

I QW to the beach a few minutes before the sunrise to shoot the sunrise with my phone camera. There was only soft sand to practice on. I guess I've built up to it because it doesn't seem to be bothering my feet, ankles, knees or hips/back. Yay!

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on stretching out and coordinating my whole body, breathing with my Dantien and relaxed balance throughout the session.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into my Dantien for breathing and as a source for my movements. I also focused on my state of mind when tourists walked or ran past me. Some were considerate, others not so much. I focused on my reaction to them in my space and encouraged either a neutral or positive state of mind. I did pretty well.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa focused on quality basics.

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata focused on the changes I'm making and the set up for the angle kicks.

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

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 68 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:20. The high tide was at 8:34. There was very little beach and virtually no wind. It's Friday so I have an 8 am video meeting with Jeff. I brought my Canon camera and tripod to the beach to shoot the sunrise this morning. 

The Practice:

I practiced in the soft sand because the tide was coming in. I played tag (push-hands) with the ocean. After snapping a few photos I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on moving from Song and using my Dantien as the source of Jin to my limbs. I kept returning to the feeling of Song. 

Next I did Standing Post Training (SPT)

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house for my meeting with Jeff.

NOTE:

I've been QW every afternoon and I've been going to the gym at least 1-2 times per week. When I don't manage to get to the gym I've resistance training here at the house with dumbbells and TRX straps. I've been much more focused on developing more and more Lean Body Mass than ever before. I've come to realize that LBM is critical for good health as we age. I'm happy that I've done as much resistance training as I have. I started regular Nautilus training in 1978 at the first Nautilus gym in Hadley that was run by Joe Mullin. I've continued to this day with only a little time off when the gyms were closed during Covid 19. Oy!