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/ 

Monday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #4

I still need to do Taiji Dao, Pa-Kua Knife and Taiji Staff forms to catch up. 

It's a cool 63 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:30.

More cleaning out today. I've got a bunch of 'stuff' to triage in my garage.

GG is preparing for a procedure tomorrow afternoon and BMH. 

The Practice:

I started to triage all the crap  in my garage.

Next I did a round of Taiji Dao focused on Sequence and Direction.

Next I did a round of Pa-Kua Knife focused on Sequence.

Next I did a brief Warm Up.

Next I continued triaging the 'stuff' my garage.

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

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

Next I weeded my way up to my main training area and did a Round (left side) observing the Taiji Classics throughout.

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

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

Sunday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #3

It's 63 at the house and it's raining. The sunrise was at 6:29.

I've got more cleaning out to do in my garage, the ski closet down stairs and The Barn. Everywhere I look there's more 'stuff' to triage, to sell, throw or give away. Ugh! A little every day! 

The Practice:

I started by organizing and cleaning out a bit more in my garage.

Next I went into The Barn and did a brief Warm Up.

Next I did a round of Yin Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8

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

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata focused on Stance Work.

Next I did a Round (left side). I tuned in to observing the Principles from a third party perspective.

Next I did a round of Standing and Healing Qigong...

I still need to catch up with the weapons forms from yesterday.....Tomorrow?

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

Saturday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #2

It's a cool 49 at the house and sunny. The sunrise was at 6:28. 

I've been cleaning out the basement, consolidating and decarbing.

I'm making cookies later this morning.

The Practice:

I started inside with spacers between my toes with the first three of The 10

Next I went out to my main training area and finished The 10 adding to #4, #6, #9 and #10 focused on Consistency and Health.

Next I did a round of Yin Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 1-4 both sides reciting the names of the Postures throughout. Some of the names I'm adopted from the 8 Palms Set.

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

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata tuned into the 'Side Punch' and Pivots.

Next I did a Round (left side) focused on Cultivating, Sequence and staying on the Left Side.

Next I did a round of Standing Postures and Healing Qigong.

I did not do the two Dao Forms that are part of Day #2.....Tomorrow?!?!

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

Friday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #1

It's 59 at the house and cloudy. The sunrise was at 6:17.

I continue to cleaning out the basement.

The Practice:

I started inside with a full round of The 10 adding to #4, #6 and #9

Next I went out to The Driveway with a round of Taiji Cane (both sides) I focused on Sequence especially on the right side (second side) and Health.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa focused on Basics.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on Retraction. 

Next I went up to my main training area and did a round of Cheng Baguazhang Yin/Yang Figure Eight Walking focused on Swing Step and Hook Step.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into staying on the right side....

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong.

Thursday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #8

It's 67 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:26.

We're going to drive by the house that's for sale in Western Keene.

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a round of Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's 1-4 (both sides) focused on Technique and Sequence.

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

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

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

Next I did a round of Cheng Baguazhang Old 8 Palms focused on Balance and Health.

Next I weeded...

Next I did a Round (left side) observing the principles throughout the Round.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong

That's it for today....Now for a walk.....

Wednesday Practice

The Details and Notes:

Day #7 

It's 60 at the house and cloudy. The sunrise was at 6:24.

I'm paying the MA quarterly estimates for June and September this morning.

The boyz are coming to play music in The Barn from 2-4 this afternoon. Shubal cancelled because he has a Dr. appointment in Noho this afternoon.

The Practice:

I started in my main practice area with a round of Yin Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 5-8 reciting the names of the postures where I could. When I came inside I reviewed the names again. Ugh! I'm having a challenging time memorizing them.....

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

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

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

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

Next I went down into The Driveway and did a round of Double Dao using my wooden broadswords.

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details and Notes:

Day #7

It's 56 at the house and it's sunny. The sunrise was at 6:23.

I've got an 11:30 appointment with Blair in Amherst for my annual skin check.

I've been walking with GG and Echo the past two day's, but I don't think I'll have time to do that today.

I stopped and Chiesluk's for corn.

I went to Gfld Cooperative Bank to work through their error in my original deposit.

I called and worked through the situation with Abbey and Hartnett Plumbing.

I called Rist insurance and talked to Shanna about the refund check from Plymouth Rock Assurance Insurance Co. What a Royal Pain in the A......!

The Practice:

I started in my main practice area with a full round of The 10+ adding to #4, #6,#7, #9 and #10 I focused on Consistency and Health.

Next I did a round of Yin Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 5-8 reciting the names of the postures where I could. I'm still working on memorizing 6 and 7. Oy!

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito focused on correct Sequence in the correct Direction.

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

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

Next I did Standing and Healing Qigong

That's it for today it's time to head to Amherst to get checked. I had a very good check up. Nothing of concern. Blair is retiring so that will be last time I meet with him.

Monday Practice - Labor Day -

 

            We went to SYC last evening for the Labor Day Cookout. This is the view from our table.

The Details and Notes:

Day #6

It's a cool 53 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:17.

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with two rounds of Lo Family Staff I've got a Sequence/Technique glitch about 1/2 way through at the cross leg stances. I can make it through but I'm not certain that I'm using the correct Stance Work. Hmmmm

Next I did a round of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Palms Changes 1-8 (both sides) reciting the names of the postures where I could. I've got 1-4 down but I'm sketchy of 5-8. Oy! 

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

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata focused on Mobility and Agility. Leg Strength and Sequence/Technique. I used the original Double Knife Hand Challenges that I learned from Sensei McCabe back in the 1970's.

Next I did a round of Finger/Cognition Exercises.

Next I did a brief Warm Up adding #8 to the mix.

Next I weeded in The Driveway.

Next I did Parts I & II (left side)

Next I went for a 50 minute walk up Alexander Road.

Next I weeded up the driveway to my main training area

Next I did a Round of Part III focused on Health and Consistency.

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong.

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