Sunday Practice in Monopoli, Italy

 

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.

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.

Saturday Practice in Lecce Italy

 

The Details:

I woke up to a beautiful and windy day in Lecce this morning. 

Notes:

I practiced outside on the "front deck". Later we got ourselves lost in the historical section of the city. Boy oh boy were we L O S T! 3-4 hours later we somehow got back to the apartment. Whew!! 

The Practice:

I started out with a round of The 10 adding Song Gong to #10 and focused on staying healthy. I'm grateful for all the times that I did this set with classes over the years; sometimes 3-6 times per day. I started all Karate, Taiji and Bagua classes with them. I regret that I wasn't more consistent with the Modern Arnis classes, I did them but much more inconsistently. Oh well that era has passed!

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. In Part III I realized I had inadvertently shifted to the right side so I switched back to the left at the first opportunity. 

That's all I had time and energy for this morning. 

Thursday Practice - Travel day from Matera to Lecce, Italy

 

The Details:

It was a beautiful day in Matera after a cool and windy evening.

Notes:

While we were waiting for a taxi to pick us up at 10. after eating breakfast I went back up to the room to do a Round.

The driving in Matera and Lecce was scary in very tight spaces.

It's Dylan's 24th Birthday today! Wow!!

The Practice:

I did a Round in the room focused on consistency and opening and closing my Kua. I continue to work on Deflect, Parry and Punch. I thought about the classics throughout the Round observing without a lot of conscious thought.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Animal Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) focused on the overall quality of my Postures and consistency.