Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Wednesday Practice

 



The Details and Notes:

Day #3

It's 63 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:54.

I've got music in The Barn this afternoon from 2-4.

No electricity this morning, so we thought it would be a good time to hook up and run the generator. It took a bit but we got it all working. I put a little more gas and some stabilizer in the tank. The unit ran for over an hour, the longest it's run in years??

Calls to make:

- Darren Ricchi in Pittsfield to confirm my appointment on Friday afternoon. I called and left a voice mail. I later received and automated message to confirm my appointment. I still need verbal confirmation before I drive all the way to Pittsfield o

- Travis to set up a get together. I texted him. I haven't heard back.

- Chris to get the photo's off the boards. I haven't contacted her yet.

The Practice:

I started in the driveway with a round of Taiji Dao using Master Liang's Broadsword (above) watching the tip, shoulder and wrist health and the timing of the steps

Next I did a round of Pakua-Knife (shaolin) tuned into Mobility, Agility and Sequence.

Next I went up to my main training area and did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8 reciting the names of the Postures throughout. I also focused on Relaxed Balance when doing the Kick Ups as well as the angle of my thigh and foot.

Next I put the generator away (the electricity came back on)

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on Jumping and Applications.

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata tuned into Stretch during the Crescent Kicks and Sequence (for cognition)

Next I did a round of the 10+ focused on Consistency and Health

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into Meditative Observation and Attention to the Priciples.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

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


Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Tuesday Practice

 



The Details and Notes:

It's 68 at the house and the whole house fan is running. The sunrise was at 5:53.

Things to do:

- call Darren Ricchi in Pittsfield to confirm my appointment on Friday.

- blood work before my appointment next Wednesday with Dr. Van Dyck

- go into the Gfld. Savings Bank to find out about the savings account I have with them. Done!

The Practice:

After my visit with Gfld. Savings Bank I left my car (Volvo) there and walked to the YMCA and did a round of CYBEX and GraviTron then I walked back.

I stopped at Tito's to pick up lunch for us. After eating lunch when I got home I realized I hadn't done my Round for the day yet.

So I went out to my main training area and I'd a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II.

Next I did a round of Standing and Healing Qigong.

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



Monday, August 10, 2026

Monday Practice

 



The Details and Notes:

Day #2

It's 61 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:52.

We've got our neighbors coming for dinner at 5:30 this evening. We're going to serve Burgers, Corn (Ciesluk's) and Caprese Salad.

I need to get blood work at the Brattleboro Hospital this week. 

The Practice:

I started with mowing the lawn and gassing up the lawn mower. 

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian reciting the names of the postures throughout. I did really well right up to the end. I need to review those names. I also focused on the tip of the metal sword (Lung Ching) that I was using (above)

Next I did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) reciting the names of the postures throughout.

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

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata solidifying the changes I've made. 

Next I did the finger cognition exercise and a brief warm up

Next I did a bit of weeding in the driveway.

Next I went up to my main training area and did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.


Sunday, August 9, 2026

Sunday Practice

 


The Details and Notes:

Day #1 in the rotation

It's 68 and muggy at the house. It rained overnight. The sunrise was at 5:51.

I've got the sheets in the washer.

I'm going to balance the Check Book later this morning

Echo is lying on the bottom stair in the sun...Life is good!

The Practice:

I started in my main practice area with a round of Taiji Cane (both sides) focused on using a Light Body and Low Stances.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa with a focus on Basics and Leaping

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on retracting my kicks and using good quality Basics.

Next I did a full round of The 10 Exercises focused on Health and Consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II focused on:

"Rub The Neck Against The Collar"

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang Yin/Yang Figure Eight Walking focused on 

"Hook Step (kuo-bu), Swing Step (bai-bu)" 

using the correct Stepping in the correct Direction.



Saturday, August 8, 2026

Saturday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #8 in the rotation

It's 70 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:50. 

Jeff is coming up to train this morning from 10-noon. We've been working on The Taiji Dance and Cheng 

Style Baguazhang 8 Animal Palms Changes 5 & 6. 

I need to balance The Joint Checkbook soon....Perhaps today?


The Practice:

I went out to my main practice area and started with a Round (left side) focused on observing the Taiji Principles and Consistency.

Next I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Old Palms (both sides) focused on doing the Changes at the correct Gua on the circle as well as reciting the Names of the Palms as I was doing them.

Once Jeff came we started with my Modern Arnis Cane Warm Ups. 

Next we did a round of all four Modern Arnis Cane Anyo (both sides) stopping at #2 and #4 to discuss Double Zero, Applications and Sequence.

Next we did a round of Anyo Walo focused on Sequence and the names of the numbers in Taglog

Next we flushed out Sunsu at the end. I figured out that I was leaving out one of the triple elbow striked and ended up doing the last triple elbow strikes in the wrong direction. That's the reason I was ending up facing the wrong direction.

Next we did a brief round of Tapi Tapi (both sides)

Next we did a round of The Dance (both sides) focused on observing The Classics and Sequence.

Next we did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Animal Palms Changes 1-6 working on #3, #5 and #6 for Sequence and Basics.

That's it for today.




Friday, August 7, 2026

Friday Practice

 



The Details and Notes:

Day #7

It's 70 at the house. It's forecast to be another hot and humid day today. The sunrise was at 5:47.

Zack Avery is coming this morning to repair the driveway drainage.

I'm still not feeling well. Ugh!!

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Double Dao using my wooden Broadswords (above) focused on Technique and Sequence.

Next I went up to my main Training Area and did a round of Anyo Pito focused on Sequence and Direction.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on Sequence, Technique and Direction. I got a bit distracted right at the end when the guy's from Avery Lanscaping showed up to put larger stone in the bottom sleuth.

Next I did a Very Brief Warm Up followed by a Round (right side) focused on observing and contemplating the Classic Principles.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong. I worked of the Sequence of Postures during the Standing Post Training; changing the last few Postures. 


Thursday, August 6, 2026

Thursday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #6

It's 67 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:48.

Slept it this morning GG too! 

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Lo Family Staff focused on lower crane stances, Fa Jin, Shoulder health and Jumping [light body]

Next I went up to my main training area and did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 1-4 reciting the names of the Postures throughout.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on Application, Sequence and Stance Work

Next I did 1-6 of the Original 10 focused on Stretching Fascia, Balance [#6 variation], Health and Consistency. 

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

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.


Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Wednesday Practice

 



The Details and Notes:

Day #5

It's 61 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:47.

I've got Shubal and Bobby V. coming to play music this afternoon from 2-4.

I only saw one Garter Snake by my garage this morning. It left as soon as I opened my garage door to get a Staff.

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Monkey Staff focused on Sequence and Techniques

Next I went up to my main training area


I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Animal Palms Changes 5-8 focused on #5 [Phoenix].

 Next I did a round of Anyo Lima tuned into Applications, Sequence and Direction Of Techniques.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata focused on Agility, Mobility, Spinning and Jumping.

Next I did a full round of The Original 10 Exercises.

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

Next I did all 8 Standing Postures and Healing Qigong


Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

It's 61 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:46.

I've got a 10 am appointment in Pittsfield (with Darren Ricchi [audiologist] which is 1 hour and 45 minute drive from Leyden. Oy! Getting my TrueHearing insurance to kick in has taken months of effort; multiple phone calls and lot's of waiting. Hopefully this will work? Time will tell! 

I did it!! 1 hour and 45 minutes each way. I have to go back on Friday August 14th @ 3:30 in the afternoon. Ugh!! But I should be back in business after that. Fingers Crossed!!

The Practice:

I started inside with a brief Warm Up using #1 - #6 of The 10 Exercises. I substituted Knee Ups and Touch The Ground Standing on One Leg for #6. I started doing those in addition to #6's then felt that they were tightening up my hips....So I stopped. I may add them back when I do a 'Brief Warm Up'

Next I went to my main training area and did a Round (right side) observing the Taiji Classcis throughout the Round. I focused on Brush Knee Twist step 

Next I did a Brief Standing and Partial Healing Qigong.

It's was 8:15 and time to drive to Pittsfield. I needed to stop for gas. That took a while.


Monday, August 3, 2026

Monday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #4 in the rotation.

It's 71 at the house and it's raining (again). The sunrise was at 5:45.

I'm looking at the routes to my appointment in Pittsfield tomorrow morning. It looks like it's going to take me an hour and a half to get there! Oy Vey!! I confirmed my appointment with Darren Ricchi. 

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Taiji Staff (both sides) focused on Light Body, Full Squats, Health and Sequence (especially on the left side)

Next I did a round of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Animal Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) focused on the Lion Walk, Doing the Changes in the correct Gua, reciting the Names of the Changes, Turning Fully to the Rear and Sequence.

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

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata focused on Basics, Sequence and Applications.

Next I did a full round of The 10+ adding to #3, #4, #6, #7, #9 and #10. I did the Ba Shi after #7

Next I went inside to get a raincoat (it had started to sprinkle a little) afterwards I went back out to my main training area and did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Sunday Practice

 


The Details and Notes:

Day #3

It's 70 at the house and humid. The sunrise was at 5:44.

We've got the Celebration of Life for my Mom at the Greenfield Moose Club from 1-4 today.


The Practice:

I started in my main practice area with a brief Warm Up.

Next I did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) reciting the names of the postures when I could. 

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on Sequence and Applications. 

Next I did round of Seiunchin Kata focused on Basics and Sequence.

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

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong


Saturday, August 1, 2026

Saturday Practice - Day 9,162 -

 



The Details and Notes:

It's 60 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:43.

I've got a 10-11 video meeting with Jeff this morning.

We went to Chris and Jim's for lobster and corn last night. I got to visit with Eli and Molly, Katylin and Dylan, Walker and Jade too.....It was great to see them all.

The Practice:

I started with a brief Warm Up downstairs and then went up to The Loft

Next I did a Round on the right side. I wasn't sure which side today was supposed to be so I stuck with the right. I focused on Breathing through my nose and Deflect, Parry and Punch.

That's all I had for today. I spent an hour talking with Jeff over the internet.




Friday, July 31, 2026

Friday Practice

 

I had three garter snakes assisting me this morning. I couldn't get the third one in the frame but here's a photo of two of them


The Details and Notes:

Day #2 (again)

It's 61 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:42.

I didn't sleep well last night. I got up late again. Ugh!

Not sure what I'll be doing this morning, besides my regular practices. Hmmm!

As I started Part II of my Round this morning it started to rain....Hard! I stopped, got the Lexus out and went to find GG and Echo. I didn't really know where they walked to but I took a guess and it happened to be right! I found them trying to stay out of the downpour in the apron of Susan Cohen's garage. They appreciated the ride.


The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms (w/ kick ups) Changes 1-4 focused on Balance and Even Twisting from Bottom to Top.

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian using my metal (Lung Ching) sword. I recited the names of the postures wherever I could (98%).

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on Basics, Sequence and Applications.

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata exploring the changes that I'm making to this Kata.

Next I did a full round of the original 10 Exercises focused on Consistency and Health.

Next I went up to my main practice area weeding as I went.

Next I did a Round stopping at the beginning of Part II to go rescue GG and Echo from the downpour. I recited the Taiji Classics during Part I

Next I came back in finished my Round just inside my garage.

I love the sound of the rain hitting the metal roof.

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Thursday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #2

It's 64 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:41.

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with two rounds of Taiji Dao using Master Liang's Broadsword.

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

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian reciting the names of the postures throughout. (I realized that on day #2 I should have done Taiji Jian)

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on Basics, Sequence (cognition) and Applications

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata focused on the Changes I've made to this Kata.

Next I did a bit of weeding as I went up to my main practice area.

Next I went up to my main training area and did a Round focused on using the correct side for today's Round....Left Side.

That's all I had time for today. I've been trying (unsuccessfully) to docu sign a form from Jimmy Morris' office. Oy Vey!