Tuesday Practice in Leyden

 

Details and Notes:

I got up at 3:30 am in Bari. First I showered then I finished packing then we caught a 4:30 am Shuttle from the Parco dei Principi Hotel to the Airport in Bari. After asking WTF the ITA desk was?? It was in front of the bar out of sight!  We checked our luggage all the way through to Boston. So far so good!

That's when Ginnie realized she had left her Kindle in the seat pocket of the plane we took from Bari to Rome. Oy!

The ITA plane from Rome to Boston was an hour late taking off. Which means we'll be driving home in rush hour traffic. 

After arriving in Boston (long ass flight!) we finally got picked up by the Comfort Inn Shuttle and when we went to retrieve our car (Lexus) only to realize the battery was dead and we 1. couldn't get into the car (key less entry doesn't work when the battery is dead) 2. We couldn't start the car!! Hmm! Luck was with us and the 'guy' behind the desk offered to Jump Start us. At that point we didn't know if the Key Fob Battery was dead also, but it wasn't and we got the car started with Jumper Cables. Many thanks to the 'guy' that helped us out! Kudos!!

The drive back from the Comfort Inn was 3 hours and bumper to bumper traffic almost the entire way. Combat Driving is NOT my favorite thing to do. Ugh!

We finally made it home!

The Practice:

I practiced in The Driveway after putting the Lexus in the garage with a battery conditioner on it.

I was totally shot but wanted to 'get a Round in' so I started with a very brief Warm Up focused on consistency.

Next I did a Round focused on consistency, balance and opening/closing my Kua and leading my limbs with my waist.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

Monday Practice in Monopoli, Italy

 

Details and Notes:

It's very calm and the Adriatic Sea is like a like. We are going to return the rental car and check in to our room at the Parco dei Principi Hotel in Bari. Returning the car was horrible; we went to the wrong place a couple of times, we couldn't read the signs in Italian and we couldn't seem to find any English speaking person to help us...Boy oh boy did we get lost, confused and short tempered. We finally did find it and ended up getting charges for the gas we used to find it. Oy Vey! 

The Practice:

I practiced on The Balcony again (last time) overlooking the flat, lake like Adriatic Sea. I'll miss that Balcony!

I did a brief Warm Up

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on consistency and overall health.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

Sunday Practice in Monopoli, Italy - June 1st makes for 9,102 days of continual Taiji, Qigong practices over the past 24 years

 

                                              Sunset from our balcony last evening.

The Details and Notes:

Wonderful Wedding Ceremony (Dylan and Giulia) yesterday at Macreme just south of Monopoli. It was hot in the sun but a cool breeze coming off the Adriatic Sea.

We gave Gayle and Joe a ride back to the 'old town' in the center of Monopoli. It was tough driving in the city; there are no stop signs at any of the 4 way intersections. It was just a Free For All...Kinda nuts!!

I didn't sleep well last night.

The Practicea;

I practiced on The Balcony again this morning. First thing was another disastrous attempt at using the washing machine in this apartment. Oy Vey!!

I started with a brief Warm UP focused on Stretching, Breathing in Opening my Joints.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I and adjusting the timing of Deflect, Parry and Punch.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

Young Skyler and Dylan assisting me with a demonstration at Andiamo's (a few years ago)

 

Silly Clothing Relay Race at a Holiday Party

 

Saturday Practice in Monopoli, Italy

 

Details and Notes:

It's a beautiful day again. We've had fabulous weather this trip; not to hot, not to cold, just right.

We have Dylan and Giulia's Wedding ceremony at Macreme (15 minutes south of Monopoli) at noon today. This is the main motivating purpose of this trip. Congratulations to them!

The Practice:

I practiced on our balcony again today (photo above) looking at the Adriatic Sea.

I started with a full round of The 10 focused on Mobility, Agility, Balance and deep abdominal Breathing.

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into 'When to Stop and Not Move' (Yin/Yang) as well as observing deep Breathing without conscious effort; Relaxed without tension.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) focused on Sequence, Balance and reciting the names of the Postures where I could. 

Youth Karate Evaluation (a few years ago)

 

Friday Practice in Monopoli, Italy

 The Practice:

I practiced on The Balcony again this morning.

I started with a round of Kusanku Kata focused on mobility, agility, balance and stretch.

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima focused on Sequence and Postures/Basics

Next I did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 1-4 reciting the names of the Postures throughout.

Next I did a brief Warm Up

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics and adjusting the timing of Deflect, Parry and Punch.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

The Prof. and Sifu J. R. Roy

 

Thursday Practice in Monopoli, Italy

 

The Details and Notes:

We traveled up to Bari this morning and ended up having a little crunch on our rental car in the parking lot. Ugh! The parking is tough in Italy. Really tough!!

It rained a bit on the way up to Bari but stopped once we got there. Yay!! We did a guided tour through the Historic District and then lunch where we met Nona and her sister ( Giulia's Aunt). 

The Practice:

I practiced on The Balcony (Deck) of our apartment before we went to Bari.

I started with a brief Warm Up focused on Stretching and moving lymph.

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on cultivation

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

Wednesday Practice in Monopoli, Italy

 

Sunset from our deck last evening! We just love, love, love the deck with this apartment. It's the best part!!

The Details and Notes:

In Bari (25 miles north) the sunrise was at 5:25. The low tide was at 5:50. There is a nice sea breeze with plenty of sun and no clouds. The weather for this trip has been fabulous. I hope it continues for the wedding on Saturday.

We spent the morning at the apartment (Deck) and walking around the Old Town of Monopoli.

The Practice:

I practiced on The Deck again this morning. Yay! Outside, with a view of the Adriatic Sea. Outstanding practice spot.

I started with a full round of The 10 adding to #10. I focused on health, stretching, balance and strength.

Next I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Animal Palms (Changes 5-8 both sides) focused on sequence, balance, postures and place on the circle.

Next I did a round of Master Choi's Bagua Standing Set.

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into the timing of Deflect, Parry and Punch as well as the Yin (no movement/stillness) and Yang (action/movement) throughout the form.

Next I did Standing using Master Choi's Bagua Standing Set and Healing Qigong.

We're off to explore Monopoli.

Sunset from our deck in Monopoli Italy

 

Monday Practice in Monopoli Italy

 

The Details and Notes:

We drove from Lecce to Ostuni then to Martina Franka then to Locorotondo then to Monopoli where we will stay for a week. We could not find parking (fiasco) in Locorotondo but ended up doing a driving 'tour'. We liked Ostuni the best. We had a lot of difficulty trying to do a load of laundry yesterday. A lot of difficulty! Oy Vey!!

We have a boat trip to 'the caves' at 1 today.

The Practice:

I practiced on the wonderful deck outside this morning.

I started with a brief Warm Up focused on stretching fascia and overall health.

Next I did a Round (right side) I've decided to stay on the right side throughout the week. I continue to work on the timing of Deflect, Parry and Punch.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

That's it for today. 

Sunday Practice in Lecce Italy

 

The Details:

We're in Lecce Italy and have decided to stay here today (as opposed to travel south to the coast by car) and walk around in the historical district (Zone). 

Notes:

We had dinner (authentic Italian pizza) with Dave, Melinda and Aliza last night. The appatizer's were great, the pizza had too much meat (and no sauce!) on them. We both felt really sluggish after the meal. The best part was to have dinner with those three! We commented that we see them more here in Italy than we do in Leyden!!

The Practice:

I practiced outside on the front deck again. It's always better (IMHO) to practice outside if possible. 

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on the + part tuned into the effects on over all health and well being.

Next I did a Round (right side). After doing Part I & II in slippers my feet were sore so I stopped and went inside to put socks and sneakers on to do Part III. I had a little confusion in Part III and lost my place a couple of times. I remained equanimous  and simply adjusted accordingly. I focused on the opening and closing of my Kua and what moves (Yang) and what doesn't move (Yin). 

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

That's all I had time for (and energy) today. We have lot's of walking to do today.