Monday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

I'm counting this as Day #3 in the rotation.

It's 56 at the house and it's cloudy and rainy. The sunrise was at 6:45.

I've got a lot of chores to do today. 

We are preparing the house for the Ponton's coming tomorrow from 10-11am

GG is leaving for a trip to Elyses in California on Wednesday and staying at Gerri and Georges tomorrow night.

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Taiji Dao using Master Liang's metal broadsword focused on Sequence and the Names of the Postures.

Next I did a round of Pa-Kua Knife focused on Sequence, Stretch, Mobility and Agility.

Next I did Level Push on my Left Side.

Next I did a round of Yin Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8 reciting the names of the Postures where I could. I did these changes yesterday as well.

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on Stance Work and Light Body (jumping)

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata focused on Sequence and Technique

Next I went up to my main training area and did a brief Warm Up focused on Health and Consitency.

Next I did a Round (left side) focused on staying focused on observing the Principles, Counter Balancing and Breathing through the nose.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

That's it for today. It was cold and raining pretty hard. It's time to go inside and journal today's practices!

Sunday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's 56 at the house and it's raining. The sunrise was at 6:44.

More cleaning out and organizing this morning.

The Practice:

I started upstairs in The Loft with Finger Exercises and a brief Warm Up.

Next I did a round of Yin Baguazahang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) reciting the Names of the Postures where I could.

Next I did a Round (right side) to Master Liang's Music and Count. I focused on Staying with the Count. I did really well up until Part III, but I flushed in our.

That's it for today........

Saturday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #2

It's 59 at the house and cloudy. It's forecast to be a rainy and windy weekend. The sunrise was at 6:43.

No Jeff this morning.

No Eli Painting this weekend. 

The Practice:

I started downstairs with Finger Exercises and a brief Warm Up

Next I went upstairs to The Loft and started cleaning out (triaging) the top draw of the 1st bureau.

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on observing Taiji Principles and Balance.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on Sequence and applications.

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata focused on the Side Punch and Stance Work.

Next I did Cheng Baguazhang Yin/Yang Circle Walking focused on Stance Work.

Next I went into the Walgreens on Federal Street in Greenfield to pick up a prescription and switching from CVS to Walgreens.

That's it for today.......

Friday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #1 

I did Dumbbell and TRX Strap exercises yesterday along with 10 lbs Vest training for most of my practice.

It's 48 at the house. A North Easter (Storm) is forecast for this weekend. The sunrise was at 6:42.

Eli Painting is coming again today. We hope that they get far enough today to take some of the plastic off the window's and doors.

The Practice:

I did a full round of The 10 in the living room, adding to #4 and #6. I focused on Health, Consistency and Balance.

Next I went upstairs to The Loft and did a round of Yin Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 1-4 reciting the Names of the Postures wherever I could.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa tuned into Basics and Applications.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on full extension on Punches and Kicks.

Next I organized more 'stuff' to clear out The Loft.

Next I did a Round I was interrupted at the end of Part II

Next I came back upstairs and finished Part III focused on Sequence and Observing the Classic Principles.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong

Later in the afternoon I did a round of Taiji Cane (both sides) I tuned into the overall quality of the postures while doing the right side and the Sequence and Direction on the left side. I did pretty well on the left side right up until the end of Part IV and then I had a Direction Glitch. Oy Vey!!

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian reciting the names of the Postures throughout.

Next I did Lazy D with my left side

That's it for today.......

Thursday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #8

It's 45 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:41.

Eli Painting is still here painting the house and my garage. They are working on The Awning and painting the south side of the house.

I'm going to drop off my application for an absentee ballot to the town offices later this morning. The Town Offices were not open this morning so I dropped off the application to The Town Clerks Drop Box just outside the Town Offices door

I'm going to Walgreens to pick up a prescription that's ready. Tomorrow?

GG has a client in Northfield this morning then to the YMCA to workout.

I need to stop in at CVS to check on my vaccine records. I called and left a message.

Maybe go to Gfld. Savings Bank to pay for our Safe-T-Deposit Box? Tomorrow?

Get lunch....

The Practice:

I started upstairs in The Loft with a full round of The 10 - I added to #4 and #6. I added dumbbells to #8 and a 10 lbs Vest to #8, #9 and #10.

Next I did a round of Cheng Baguazhang Old 8 Palms (both sides) focused on Walking and Song my shoulders.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong

That's it for today.........

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's a cool 43 at the house. I think it's the coldest morning yet this season! The sunrise was at 6:40.

Eli and his painting crew are here again today. Two guys still working on the North Side and they began working on my garage. Maybe they will take the awning down today?

The guy's are coming over to play music this afternoon from 2-4.

I started a fire in The Barn to take the chill out. It was 50 out there when I started. Oy!!

 

The Practice:

I started by sweeping out the bay in my garage and moving the sailboat into the space for winter storage. Eli's workers helped to move the boat. GG and I cleaned out the bay. 

I went up to my main training area and did a brief Warm Up focused on Consistency and Health.

Next I started a fire in the woodstove in The Barn and did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part II.

Next I helped put the Trash and Recycling together for a dump run.

That's it for today........

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's 59 at the house and overcast. It's forecast to be dry the next few days. The sunrise was at 6:38.

Wayne and Bobby fly back to Texas this morning.

Eli is coming later this morning with a carpenter to take a look at the rotten boards that we have noticed that need to be replaced. They came and I think we worked it out! Yay!!

I called Read and we spoke for a few minutes. It was good to hear his voice. He and Janee are no longer healthy enough to do Taiji. Read hopes to start Baguzhang Circle Walking again. 

The Practice:

I started on The Deck with a round of Taiji Double Dao using the set of wooden broadswords that I keep in the corner of the dinning room. I focused on Health, Consistency, Sequence and Technique.

Next I did a round of all four Modern Arnis Cane Anyo (both sides) focused on Coordination and Stance Work.

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo focused on Basics and Full Extention.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on Abdominal Breathing and Dynamic Tension.

Next I did a brief Warm Up.

Next I did a Round (right side) to a metronome set at 60 BPM with two tones. I was interrupted in Part III and came inside to finish in the living room.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

Monday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #7

It's 53 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:37.

I'm going to visit with Brooks with Wayne and Bobby later today.

The Practice:

I practiced on The Deck this morning. 

I started with a brief Warm Up focused on Consistency and Health. I also did a brief round of the Cognition Finger Exercises.

Next I did a Round (right side) to Master Liang's music and count. I was interrupted right before the Kick Sequence in Part II by the Eli Painting Guy's. I was able to re-connect and got all the way through without a single glitch. Yay!

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Yin Baguazhang 8 Palms (both sides) Changes 5-8 reciting the Names of the Postures where I could. I've got #5 (Phoenix Circles the Mountain Top) pretty good but need more work on #6 and #7. #8 is also pretty good. 

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito focused on Sequence, Direction and Technique

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on Sequence, Direction and Basics.

That's it for today.......

Sunday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #6

It's a cool 53 and cloudy at the house and it's forecast to rain today. The sunrise was at 6:36.

Liz invited me down to Amherst to go to a car show and lunch but I've declined. It's been a very busy week and with the cool rainy weather I think I'm just going to hand here at home, although I've had some second thoughts.

The Practice:

I started with a brisk walk down to The Lund Farm on Simon Keets Road wearing a rain coat and hat.

I did a round of Lo Family Staff in The Driveway it was lightly raining. I focused on using lower stances and Fa Jin.

Next I came back to do a round of Yin Bagzhang 8 Palms Changes 1-4 reciting the names of the Postures throughout.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on Applications and Stance Work.

Next I went up on The Deck and did a round of The 10 adding to #4, #6 and #9

Next I did a Round (left side) to Master Liang's music and count. I did well up until Part III then I had several glitches! Oy Vey...I'm determined to do a Round (or three) to the count without loosing concentration. It's a challenge I'm up for! 

Next I did a full Standing and Healing Qigong.

Thant's it for today's practices.....

Saturday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's 49 at the house. The coldest morning yet! It's forecast to be cooler for the next few day's. The sunrise was at 6:35.

Jeff is coming to train today from 10-noon.

Nice Harvest Supper last night, except for Echo, he was a royal Pain in the arse; Barked, growled and didn't listen at all. Oy Vey!!

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Monkey Staff focused on the quality of my Technique's.

Next I did a brief Warm Up focused on Consistency

Next I did a Round (right side) to Master Liang's music and count. I had a glitch during Part II

Next I went up to my main training area and did a round of Anyo Lima focused on Applications and Basics.

Next I did a round of Chinto focused on Agility and Mobility 

After Jeff arrived we started with tea and conversation.

Next we worked on Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Animal Palms Changes 1-7. We worked on Changes 2,3,4,5,6 and he learned #7 (Chi-Ling). We adjusted numerous aspects of each change.

Next we worked on standardizing Sunsu Kata; As far as he is teaching it to Malcolm. 

Next we did a round of Taiji Dance (the main side). We worked on single, 4-direction and vertical pushing-hands.

That's all we had time for today. Jeff helped bring the tea pot, tea cups etc. inside before he left.

Friday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

I'm counting this as Day #4 again.

It's 63 at the house and cloudy. This is forecast to the last mild day for a while. The sunrise was at 6:34.

I was dismayed to see that I've gained a pound! Yikes at 75 it's very difficult to lose weight but super easy to gain.....Is there no justice? Oy Vey!!

We have our annual Harvest Supper (autumn dinner party) with Wayne, Bobby and Brooks this evening. 

The Practice:

I started by doing a dumbbell session up in The Loft; #8 with curls and overhead press', rowing, circle the head etc. 

Next I walked around the perimeter of our property with a 10lbs weighted vest on.

Next I did a full round of Cheng Baguazhang 8 Animal (mother) Palms Changes 1-8 (both sides) focused on Consistency, Sequence, Direction, Principles, Technique and Basics.

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat focused on Basics and Applications.

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata focused on using quality Basics in the correct Sequence and Agility and Stretching. 

Next I did a full round of The 10 adding to #4, #6, #9 and #10 focused on Consistency and Health.

Next I did a Round (right side - I've been sticking to the right side this week as I flush out the Sequence to Master Liang's count) I had one glitch at Fair Maiden in Part III. 

Next I did a full session of Standing and Healing Qigong.

That's it for today.......

Thursday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's 63 at the house and cloudy. The sunrise was at 6:33.

It's forecast to rain later this morning.

I've got preparations for our dinner party tomorrow evening; I have a trip to BJ's for steaks and ice cream and GG's going to Big Y for potatoes and 'stuff'.

GG also did a big dump run.....Oy!

Wayne and Bobby came for an hour or so in the late morning.

Eli's crew came to power wash the soffits.

The Practice:

I practiced on The Patio in front of The Barn.

I started with finger exercises for cognition

Next I did a brief Warm Up

Next I did a round of Cheng Baguazhang 8 Animal (Mother) Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) focused on Sequence. I did several repetitions of The Bear (#3) to get the sequence flushed out. This change has been challenging since I learned it back in the 1990's.

Next I did a Round (right side) to Master Liang's music and count. I made it all the way through without a single glitch! Yay!!

Next I did a very brief Standing and a partial Healing Qigong. Wayne and Bobby called for visit.

Next I did 

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's 58 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:32.

Wayne and Bobby flew in yesterday.

Music in The Barn today from 2-4, I'm going to start a fire in the wood stove to take the chill off.

Liz and Micheal are coming this afternoon to visit.

GG is leaving at 4:30 to have dinner with the Carson Folks.

The Practice:

I started by cleaning up on The Porch in The Barn. I swept and cleaned of the window sills; the spiders are prolific in The Barn (mice too!) I also started a fire to warm it up. It's forecast to be in the high 70's this afternoon so I'm going to let the fire go out. I've already opened some windows to let some fresh air in. 

I started with finger exercises for cognition and a little hanging.

Next I did a brief Warm Up focused on Health and Consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on Health. I did the Round to Master Liang's music with him counting out the beats. I did better than yesterday with only one timing glitch at the second Repulse Monkey in Part III. I'm determined to make it through a Round to the music without a single timing glitch.

The music w/ count really keeps you honest!!

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong. 

That's all I have the time and energy for today.......

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's a cool 44 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:31.

GG has a procedure at BMH @ 12:30 today.

The Ponton's are coming from 10-11.

I've got more cleaning out to do today and preparing for Wayne and Bobby's visit and music tomorrow afternoon.

I set up the keyboards in The Barn.

The Practice:

I practiced on The Patio in front of The Barn.

I started with a Round to Master Liang's music with the count and focused on staying on the right side and the correct counts. I had several times when I had to adjust. It looks like I should do more of my daily Rounds to the count until I can get through the Round without a hitch.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

That's it for today....It's time to prepare to bring GG to BMH/