Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 59 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:51. The high tide was at 8:50. It's Friday so I have a 8 am video meeting with Jeff. It's been a busy week!

The Practice:

I started inside with reading a poem by Mary Oliver and drum rudiments on a practice pad.

Next I went out to the front yard and did a full round of The 10+ focused on health, mobility, agility and consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I focused my whole body being connected like a string of pearls and feeling Jin moving down and up the 9 Zig Zag Path through the JinLu

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on consistency and the proper sequence as well as applications throughout the Anyo.

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata focused on proper sequence of movements (postures) and applications.

I finished with Healing Qigong

Orange Spotted Filefish

 

                                      Orange Spotted Filefish from a dive/photo trip to Cayman Brac in 2018

Fish in Sponge

 

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 59 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:52. The high tide is at 8:04. I've got a 9 am haircut appointment and we have Karen from Daisy Maid coming at 10:30 ish.

The Practice:

Another short 'get it in' day.....Oy!

I started inside with a reading from Evidence and guitar practice.

Next I went out to the backyard and did a brief warm up using the first few of The 10.

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

I finished with Healing Qigong.

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 57 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:53. The last high tide was at 7:17. I have an 11 am guitar lesson on Zoom with Shubal.

The Practice:

I started inside with guitar practice and reading Mary Oliver's poem 'The Trees'.

Next I went out to the front yard and did a full round of The 10+ tuned into consistency and health.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into observing from a third party perspective (meditative perspective) tuned into a light and agile body in every movement. 

I finished with Healing Qigong.

Tuesday Practice

 The Details:

It's 61 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:54. The last high tide was at 6:30. It's yet another cool and cloudy start to the day. I'll be driving up to visit my Mom later this morning.

The Practice:

I went out to the backyard and started with a brief warm up using the first few of The 10. I was tuned into health and consistency.

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

I finished with Healing Qigong.

Monday Practice

 The Details:

It's 62 at the house. The sunrise was 6:55. The last high tide was at 5:42. It's another cool and cloudy day.

The Practice:

I started inside with reading a poem from Evidence and guitar practice.

Next I went out to the backyard and started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency. I feel that I'm cheating myself if I skimp on these very important exercises. I especially focused on leg and hip strength and overall balance and mobility/agility.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into feeling Jin traveling down and up the 9 Zig Zag Path along the Jin Lu.

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on quality basics throughout the Anyo as well as applications.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata emphasizing focus on my punches and kicks as well as full extension, especially on the kicks.

I finished with Healing Qigong.

Sunday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 55 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:56. The last high tide was at 4:53. Logistics today, reconcile the bank account, re-register Big Bertha etc.

The Practice:

I started inside with guitar practice and a lengthy reading from Mary Oliver's book of poems "Evidence"

I went out to the backyard about mid-morning. I did a Round (right side) to Master Liang counting out the beats to his Taiji Music. I tuned into the 'space' without 'space' between the postures. Concluding without pausing. The space between 4 AND and the next 1. I find it helpful to use the music with T. T. counting when I'm having a more challenging time approaching my daily practice. Consistency is challenging for human beings but the pay off for being consistent is huge! 

Consistency is underrated, intensity is overrated. 

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong. 

Saturday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 60 at the house. The sunrise was at 8:57. The last high tide was at 3:50. I'm moving a bit slow again this morning. 

The Practice:

I started inside with reading a poem from Evidence and Guitar Practice. I'm currently properly frustrated by my guitar efforts. Oy Vey! I have to remember that I'm practicing guitar simply for the act of practicing guitar. It's challenging to empty myself of any expectations. Shubal reminded me that setting goals is ok.

Next I QW to the beach up to The Wave.

Next I did a full round The 10+ focused on health, agility and consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taijiquan Classics during Parts I & II. I focused on using neutral postures and relaxed balance throughout the Round.

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa focused on consistency and the overall quality of my basics.

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

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was QW back to the house. 

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 44 at the house. Brrr! The sunrise was at 6:58. The low tide was at 9:38.

The Practice:

It's a cold and windy start to the day. 

I started inside with a reading from Evidence and accoustic guitar practice, I've been feeling a bit discouraged by my guitar practices. I'm having a very challenging time not muting strings when I'm playing chords. Slow and steady is the word. My level of discouragement has to do with how I'm approaching it. I guess I'm on the right track? I know I'm frustrated and have to remind myself about baby steps. Looking for that 1% change from session to session. Oy Vey!

Around mid-morning I went out to the backyard and started with a full Modern Arnis Cane Warm Up using my Dragon Canes. It's been awhile since I worked out with my Dragon Canes.....They felt heavy!

I also did a Modern Arnis basics review.

Next I used my Dragon Canes to do a round of Taiji Double Dao Form focused on shoulder health, agility and having a light body especially during the Progressive Steps.

Next I did a Round of Taijiquan (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I tuned into relaxed balance, opening my hips and making small circles systemically at the ends and beginnings of postures.

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong:
"Qi permeates my Bones"

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo tuned into the quality of my basics.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on punching position, breathing and applications.

I finished with Healing Qigong 

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 57 cloudy and windy once again.....Oy! Sharon really lucked out with warm dry weather. The low tide was at 8:41. The sunrise was at 6:59.

The Practice:

About mid morning I QW to the beach. It was yet another washout of a sunrise. Cloudy, grey with a steady north wind. 

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency.

Next I did a Round of Taijiquan reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into using neutral postures throughout the form. I also focused on opening and closing my spine.

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo tuned into the sequence.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on health and agility.

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house.

Wednesday Practice

 The Details:

it's 67 at the house and it's cloudy. The sunrise was at 7:00. The low tide was at 7:46.

The Practice:

I practiced in the front yard this morning. I started inside with acoustic guitar practice ( I have a Zoom lesson with Shubal from 11-12 this morning) I also did a reading from Evidence a book of poems by Mary Oliver. I also started warming up.

I went out to the front yard and did a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into consistency and using neutral postures throughout.

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat focused on agility and applications.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata focused on applications and agility. 

I finished with Healing Qigong.

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 59 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:01. The low tide was at 6:55. I'm moving a bit slow this morning.

The Practice:

I started out in the backyard with a brief warm up using the first few of The 10. I added a neck and eye routine to it.

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian focused on the tip of the wooden sword and opening and closing using neutral postures.

Next I did a full round of Modern Arnis Cane Anyo on both sides tuned into the correct sequence, especially on the left side and applications.

Next I QW to the beach and did a Round (right side) of Taiji reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I.

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong (special mention of Janee S. as her knee replacement surgery is tomorrow morning.

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on the correct sequence and applications.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata focused on health, agility and mobility.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I QW back to the house.

                                                         Wind Surfer coming in the late afternoon.

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 58 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:01. The low tide was at 6:06. We have to bring Sharon to the Daytona International Airport at 8:00. It'll be a short workout this morning. The bare minimum! 

The Practice:

I QW to the beach just before sunrise. I wanted to get a Round in before bringing Sharon to the airport. 

I started with a brief warm up using the first few of The 10 focused on consistency.

Next I did a Round (left side) tuned into using neutral postures, health and consistency.

Next I did Standing Post Training and Healing Qigong as I QW back to the house.

We went out to dinner at Voulez Vous Cafe for Sharon's last night. Fabulous meal: Seafood Crepes! We all had the same thing....It was delicious!

Sunday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 72 warm and pleasant at the house. The sunrise was at 7:02. The low tide was at 5:18.

The Practice:

I QW to the beach at sunrise. 

I started with a full round of The 10 + tuned into health and consistency. My legs were slightly sore from exercising yesterday?!?

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into calibrating my mind to feel Jin moving down and up and my body paying extra attention to using neutral postures throughout the Round.

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on the correct sequence. I started over at one point because I was having difficulty with the end of the Anyo.

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata tuned into the quality of my basics.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was QW back to the house.

Saturday Practice

 

The Details:

It's my first day back in New Smyrna Beach. The last low tide was at 4:54. The sunrise was at 7:03. There was rain in the distance offshore, but it did sprinkle. I wished I had worn a raincoat, but the sprinkle did not interfere with my practice. Yay!

The Practice:

I QW to the beach about 1/2 hour before sunrise. It was a washout except for a bit of pink just after sunrise.

After I shot the image above I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency. I've had a couple of days in a row where I only did a brief warm up so I wanted to 'get back to it this morning'

I was happy to be back in the habit of rising early enough to go out to the beach to practice at sunrise. Yay!

Next I did a Round reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I went from right to left side and back again. Oy!

I ended up on the left side. I focused on:

"Breathing in Qi is in me,

Breathing out I'm in Qi"

Next I did a full round of Standing Post Training

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on sequence and having a light body during the progressive steps.

Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata focused on the proper techniques.

I finished with Healing Qigong before QW back to the house.

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

My last day on Little Cayman. I'm up early to get a Round in before we start our journey home. The wind is kicked up again and from the N N/E (the worst wind direction on Little Cayman for diving because it's rough on the north and the south side at the same time. Oy!

The Practice:

I started with a brief warm up using the first few of The 10 focused on loosening up and consistency. 

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I mainly focused on consistency. Travel days are commonly a bit more challenging to 'get my Round in'. I've learned over the decades to get up a little earlier and get my Round in as close to sunrise as possible. That timing worked out great today, as our pick up for the airport is scheduled for 7:50. Although he was ready to load our gear at 7:30. Luckily we were prepared! 

I ended with Healing Qigong.

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

The wind is up again this morning. Oh Boy! It made me happy that we were not diving today! I got a little green yesterday on the way back from the dives on the north side. It was wild, to say the least. We're having a dry day with yesterday being our last day of scuba diving and we fly home tomorrow morning. It's time to dry everything out and pack.

The Practice:

I started with an abbreviated version of The 10 focused on stretching the main lines of my body and moving lymph fluid.

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into having a light and agile body throughout. I also focused heavily on relaxed balance, the specialty of "The Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg" (above)

I finished with Healing Qigong.

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

Last day of diving. The wind is slightly down. I'm out here at sunrise again. 

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on health and consistency.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I focused on observing from a third party perspective.

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

I'm up early each day to practice as the sun is rising in order to be ready for the choppy boat ride and scuba diving. It's been noticeably better practicing while the sun comes up. I've not been having fabulous practices. But I have been very consistent! That's my main goal.

The Practice:

I started each day with a full round of The 10+ focuses on health, balance and consistency.

Next I did a Round (alternating right and left sides each day) focused on consistency. Most day's I recite the Taiji Classics at some point. Today (Tuesday) I focused mostly on observing from a third party perspective (meditative point of view) and emptying myself of any expectation. 

I ended with Standing Post Training (SPT or Standing Meditation) and Healing Qigong

Saturday Practice

 

The camera tray on the dive boat. That's my 'rig' on the left with the white Ikelite housing. Today I dove with a GoPro.

The Details:

I'm up early to practice and get ready for scuba diving. It's still windy enough to make the sea choppy. Oh Boy! Rock and Roll!!  It is warm though. 

It's so peaceful before sunrise and it also happens to be the best time of day to practice internal martial arts.

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ exercises focused on loosening up, overall health and consistency.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part III

I finished with Standing Post Training and Healing Qigong.

Time to get ready to go diving. I like to be a bit early to gather all my gear. It helps me to stay calm and centered.

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

The wind is slightly down and it's warm. I'll be diving with a camera again this morning and Cumber's Caves and the Bloody Bay Wall, just off Little Cayman.

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on loosening up and having a calm and centered state of mind.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I payed extra attention to being in a neutral posture throughout the Round. 

I finished with SPT and Healing Qigong. Time to go diving!!

Thursday Practice

 

The Details: 

Warm and windy again. This will be a short post. I have to be at the dive boat by 8 am and I plan on bringing my 'big camera rig' for the first time....Oh boy! Lot's of moving parts!!

The Practice:

I went out on the deck by the hot tube before sunrise. I started with a full round of The 10+ tuned into health and balance.

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

Next I did SPT and Healing Qigong before having breakfast and packing for diving with a camera. 

                        A photo from today's diving. Tiger Grouper over and Barrel Sponge!

Wednesday Practice

 

                                                     Early morning practice spot on Little Cayman

The Details:

It's warm and windy again this morning.

The Practice:

It's going to be another "Vacation" post. Short and Sweet practice's on vacation and consequently short and sweet notes on my practices. Thanks for bearing with me. 

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on developing a calm, centered state of mind that I'll need to scuba dive The Great Wall (Bloody Bay Wall) off the north side of Little Cayman. Today we dove Randy's Gazebo and Joy's Joy. 

Next I did a Round (right side) of Taijiquan tuned into developing and stimulating a calm and centered state of mind. I recited the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. 

Next I did STP and Healing Qigong before heading back to the condo to prepare to go diving! Yay!!

Pole Shaking

 

Pole Shaking

Tuesday Practice

 

The Details:

I'm on Little Cayman diving so I was up early and practiced on the patio of our condo. It's still windy as heck coming in from the N N/E which is the worst direction for this island that sits N N/E so the wind is blowing on both sides of the island which makes for some bumpy boat rides and exciting exits from the water.

The Practice:

I started on the patio with a full round of The 10+ focused on loosening up and instilling a calm, centered state of mind for scuba diving.

Next I did a Round (left side) of Taijiquan tuned into the slow, smooth movements calming my mind with every posture. 

I finished with Healing Qigong

I needed to keep on schedule to get to the dive boat by 8 am sharp.

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

I woke up on Little Cayman after a fitful nights sleep. I had a difficult time falling asleep because I was concerned about our luggage, since we had virtually nothing that we packed for the trip. So no diving this morning. We are scheduled to do a 'check out' dive this afternoon. It's hot out!!

The Practice:

 I woke up with a stiff lower back, I guess from all the sitting and flying stress yesterday. 

I practiced out on the wooden deck near the hot tub. There was a beautiful view and nice air. 

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on loosening up my lower back and adjusting my mind to use correct thinking. I always get a bit anxious at the beginning of these dive/photo trips. Even after 500+ dives, I still get anxious but maybe it's just excited?!

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on correct thinking. I had my Round interrupted a few times and that made it a bit challenging to re-connect to the feeling.   

Sunday Practice

 

The Details:

It was 61 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:13. The high tide was at 

The Practice:

This will be the last practice in NSB until the middle of February. I'll post when I can!

In the backyard I started with an abbreviated warm up using the first few of The 10. I focused on consistency and health.

Next I did a Round (left side) tuned into state of mind and correct thinking.

I ended with SPT and Healing Qigong.

We were getting picked up at 8am for our flight from Orlando to Grand Cayman for two weeks of diving Bloody Bay Wall (The Great Wall) off of Little Cayman. 

We are on Little Cayman as of Sunday afternoon. All of our bags (5) are still on Grand Cayman. Oy!

Our bags did arrive mid morning so everything is now here.

As I said earlier I'll write about my practices when I can. To be assured I will certainly be practice every morning. The practice really helps with the diving jitters!

Year of the Green Wood Snake

 Year of the Green Wood Snake

Saturday Practice - Day 8,617 -

 The Details:

It's 65 at the house. The sunrise was at 7:14. The high tide was at 9:59. It's the last day to pack and prepare for our trip to Little Cayman.

The Practice:

I started inside with reading a poem from Evidence "I Want" :

"I want to be

in partnership

with the universe"

and acoustic guitar practice. Along with a few last minute travel details and packing for our trip. We leave tomorrow morning at 8:00/

Next I QW to the beach and shot a photo of the sunrise. Unfortunately it was yet another cloudy, grey, washout. Ugh!

I began with a full round of The 10+ tuned into health and consistency, mobility and agility.

Next I did a Round of Taijiquan tuned into balancing Yin/Yang in all aspects. 

Next I did Standing Post Training (SPT) and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on correct sequence, quality basics and applications.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on the timing of stance and strikes.

I finished with Healing Qigong while I QW to the house.