Saturday, October 11, 2025
Saturday Practice
The Details:
It's 40 at the house. I have nothing on the schedule today
The Practice:
I started with acoustic guitar practice using a pick.
Next I went out on The Deck and did the first few of The 10+ but then decided it was too cold and windy so I went up to The Loft and finished the round of The 10+ focused on consistency. Once again I experienced significant inertia and had a challenging time to get a full practice in. I suspect I've added too much too soon and I'm struggling to approach my practices day after day. My daily practice has needed a fair amount of self-discipline to get started and get all the way through.since the spring/summer of 2023. Oy Vey! I keep reminding myself;
Don't think, just Do!
My nightly oral care routine has been very helpful in this regard.
Next I did a Round (right side). I used a track the I have on my computer that I recorded years ago. It's me counting (Master Liang's count) to 60 BPM with two tones and Shakuhachi music in the background. I had only one glitch in Part II and the count really helped. I was able to get back on track without missing a beat.
Next I did a round of Yin Fu Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) using Lion Stepping throughout. Both sides are feeling better and better with each and every interaction.
Next I did Anyo Tatlo focused on applications and sequence.
Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata tuned in detail and stance work.
Next I did a round of Taiji Staff (both sides). I used a double leg squat in place of the single leg squats. The left side sequence is feeling better as I practice it more regularly.
I finished with Healing Qigong
Email Sifu with requests, feedback or inquiries
Friday, October 10, 2025
Friday Practice
The Details:
It's the coldest morning yet at 30 degrees. It's our 40th anniversary of dating. Columbus Day weekend 1985.
Time sure flies when you're having fun!
The Practice:
I started with acoustic guitar practice before going out on The Deck with my trusty practice partner Echo.
Next I did a very brief Warm Up
Next I did a Round (left side) with 10 lbs weighted vest. This was the first time I used a weighted vest during practice.
Next I did a round of Yin Fu Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) reciting the names of the postures where I could.
Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa focused on moving and stretching my fascia.
Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata. I noticed that the changes that I've made to this Kata are becoming easier with more conscious iterations.
Next I used a wooden Jian to do a round of Taiji Jian reciting the names of the postures throughout the form. I focused my eyes on the tip of the sword.
Next I did a line of Lazy D with the Jian in my left hand.
I finished with Healing Qigong
I returned to the house to journal today's practices.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Thursday Practice
The Details:
It's 43 at the house. I've got the guy's coming this afternoon (1:30 ish) to play music in The Barn, then dinner in Keene with Peter and Susan.
The Practice:
I began the day with acoustic guitar practice. I've been working towards using a pick and middle and ring finger when practicing Travis Picking.
Next I went out on The Deck and did a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health.
Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I remained focused on monitoring my tailbone in relation to the weighted foot.
Next I went out to the middle field and did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang Yin/Yang Figure Eight Walking I used Lion Walking throughout this set.
Next I did a round of Anyo Isa using high quality basics throughout.
Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on the timing of the rear heel landing simultaneously with my blocks and punches. I also tuned into 'splitting the stance' where it is applicable.
Next I did a round of Taiji Cane (both sides). The left side remains challenging but I'm working on it. I got a little confused right at the end of Part IV.
I returned to the house to journal today's practices.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
More photos from the end of The Studio gathering at China Gourmet
Wednesday Practice
The Details:
It's a balmy 65 at the house. It rained overnight. I've a few chores to do today. I did get the lawn tractor up to Jared yesterday along with the motor for my weed whacker and my little chain saw too. Both needed to be serviced. I may go it and get my flu shots for the season. I may check with Jean about a visit with Paul too.
The Practice:
I was experiencing inertia this morning and having a challenging time approaching my practice.
It was getting later and later so I finally disciplined myself to start (that's key). I had been negotiating with myself most of the morning. I decided to start with a round of Cheng style Baguazhang Old 8 Palms Set. I used Mud-Wading Stepping throughout the Set.
Next I did a full round of the original 10 Exercises. At first I was going to just do the first few of The 10 and do what I call a 'brief warm up' but last week I decided that I would just leave out all the 'extra's' (the +). I right at the edge; I'm afraid if I add another thing I wouldn't be able to approach my practice. My advice to myself:
Don't think, just do!
Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I & II. I remained focused on observing from a third party perspective.
Next I did a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong
FYI - I started with Baguazhang practice.
Next I did a round of Anyo Walo focused on using high quality basics and the correct sequence.
Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on connecting my abdominal breathing with my techniques.
Next I used a Dragon Cane to do Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's 1-4 (both sides) I had a challenging time with #4 on the left side. I ended up facing the incorrect direction, so somewhere along the line I turned the wrong way. Oy!
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Tuesday Practice - Day #7 in the rotation
The Details:
It's 60 at the house. It's foggy this morning. It looks like the last warm day. It's forecast to be cooler tonight and tomorrow. I'm going to get a ride into town with GG later this morning, to get the Lexus and drive it home.
The Practice:
I started with acoustic guitar practice then went to The Driveway and did a brief warm up while I was waiting for GG.
When I returned home after picking up the Lexus I went out to The Deck with Echo and did a Round (right side) focused on feeling and monitoring The Taiji Principles with a meditative mental focus. I consciously connected to the quality of my mindfulness and meditation.
Next I went out to my main practice area and did a round of Yin Fu Style Baguazhang 8 Palms Form Changes 5-8 (both sides) tuned into using the correct sequence, posture and direction. I recited the names of the postures where I could.
Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on using the correct techniques in the correct sequence.
Next I did a round of Taiji Double Dao focused on shoulder health during the 'round the heads'.
I returned to the house to journal today's practices.
Email Sifu with feedback and/or questions
Monday, October 6, 2025
Monday Practice - Day #6 in the rotations
The Details:
It's 58 at the house. I've got a trip to Spofford Lake later today to dismast the O'Day 17 and get her home to Leyden. I've got to check with Tommy about picking up the Lexus.
The Practice:
I started with acoustic guitar practice. I'm at the point where it becomes substantially more challenging to pick up the guitar and start my practice. I have faith that daily practice makes a difference in the long run. The challenge is the short run. Once you're sufficiently down the path of daily practice you will end up feeling that you should be better than you actually are. At this point perseverance demands self-discipline and faith in the process. Still.....
Next I went out to The Deck and did a full round of The 10+. I spent a fair amount of time on the first Song Gong exercise focused on positioning my tail bone as I turned my waist from side to side. I also focused on the 'triangles' one by one and then adding them all together.
Next I went out to my main training area and did a Round (left side) reciting my version of The Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I remained focused on expressing Jin with my fingertips and feeling the earth pushing up against my feet.
Next I did a brief Healing Qigong
Next I did a round of Anyo Anim tuned into sequence using high quality basics and visualizing the applications.
Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata focused on mobility and agility.
Next I did a round of Lo Family Staff (right side) focused on sequence.
Next I started the substantial project of acquiring Lo Family Staff on the left side. Oy Vey!
I returned to house to journal today's practices.
Email Sifu with feedback or requests
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Sunday Practice - Day #5 in the rotation
The Details:
It's 54 at the house. I have lots to do today. I'm a bit overwhelmed! Oy Vey!
The Practice:
I started on The Deck with a full round of the original 10 Exercises.I'm experimenting using the original 10 Exercises when my choice (energy and time restraints) is doing a 'brief' Warm Up.
Next I went out to my main practice area and did a Round (right side) reciting The Taiji Classics during Parts I & II.
Next I did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang 8 Animal (Mother) Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) I used Mud-Wading Stepping throughout. I've come to realize that when practicing #6 (Phoenix) I'm should be aiming for a whirling dervish like spinning. It seemed to help to put me in position for the next posture.
Next I did a round of Anyo Lima focused on applications using the correct sequencing.
Next I did a round of Chinto Kata...Oops I just realized that I didn't do this Kata...Yet!
Next I did a round of Taiji Jian using my Lung Ching Jian and reciting names of the postures throughout the round. I also focused my eyes on the tip of the sword.
I finished with Healing Qigong and Line of Lazy D (using my Lung Ching Jian) with my left hand.
I returned to the house to journal today's practice.
Email feedback or requests to Sifu
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I still need to go out and do a round of Chinto Kata! Oy!!
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Saturday Practice - Day #4 in the rotation
The Details:
It's a chilly 47 at the house. I was way too cozy this morning and didn't really want to get up. Oy Vey!
I had a nice visit with Paul and Jean yesterday morning and then had lunch with Bill Arcan. It was nice to catch up with Bill! I met him at a Master Kwan workshop that he sponsored back in late 1970's.
The Practice:
I started on The Deck with Echo (until he attempted to escape - Houdini The Dog Version) with a full round of The 10+. I gave myself the 'day off' yesterday and just did the original 10 Exercises so I thought it was important to get 'back on schedule'. I focused on loosening and lengthening throughout as well as overall physical fitness. I used various dumbbells for #8.
Next I went out to my main practice area and did a Round (right side) reciting my version of The Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I remained focused on manifesting Jin in my fingers.
Next I did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) using Mud-Wading Stepping throughout with 3 full circles in each direction at the beginning: Counter clockwise (Yin) and Clockwise (Yang)
Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on using high quality basics throughout as well as correct technique for the sequence and applications.
Next I did a round of Wansu Kata tuned into the proper timing of Shuffle and Punch/Block or Strike.
Next I did a round of Monkey Staff (right side) focused on Technique and Sequence. I started to teach my left side the beginning. I'll keep working on the left side. I'll get it....eventually!
I finished with a brief Standing PT and Healing Qigong before returning to the house to journal today's practices,
Friday, October 3, 2025
Friday Practice - Day #3 in the rotation
The Details:
It's 41 at the house. It's my Mom's 97th Birthday today! Happy, happy birthday Mom! We'll be seeing you in about a month. Yay!
I've got a 12:30 lunch scheduled with Bill A. in Sunderland. I thought I'd reach out to see if I could visit with Paul before that
The Practice:
I practiced on The Deck with Echo in tow. I started with a full round of The Original 10 Exercises. I'm attempting to use the original 10 Exercises for my 'brief' Warm Up. It's sufficiently shorter than the entire 10+ is and I think I can make that work as my brief Warm Up. Time will tell....
Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I focused on following Jin from hips to feet to legs to waist to spine and finally forming in my fingers. I remained focused on expressing Jin in my fingers.
Next I did a brief Standing (PT) and Healing Qigong.
Next I did Yin Fu Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 5-8 (both sides) reciting the names of postures where I could. I used Lion Stepping throughout.
Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo. I focused on applications. I also used 'light body' during the Progressive Stepping sequences.
Next I did a round of Seiunchin Kata focused on Stance Work and sequence.
Next I went out to my main practice area to do a round of Taiji Staff (both sides) focused on using double squat instead of the single leg squats in the Form.
Email Sifu for info about Private Lessons
Thursday, October 2, 2025
What should you pay attention to while practicing?
- Raise Hands/Play Guitar -
What should you pay attention to while practicing Taijiquan or Baguazhang?
It's essential to calibrate your mind in order to access higher levels of skills and internal development.
CONSCIOUSLY PAY ATTENTION TO:
*Vertical Alignment of your bones,*
from the sole's of your feet to the top of your head.
The vertical alignment of your bones (externally and internally), is an essential focus while practicing Taijiquan and Baguazhang.
This important principle is best practiced and refined during Standing Post (standing meditation) Training.
I like to imagine three bowls of water that are filled right to the top of the bowl:
1st Bowl is in my pelvis and is even only when the tailbone is released down
2nd Bowl is in my shoulders. Shoulders are thought of as a suspension bridge; Hanging with elbows heavy
3rd Bowl is on the top of my head
The Bowl's line up vertically, without any incline, so as not to spill any water.
Best to start this visualization while standing still and then proceed to refine your movements by keeping the Bowls aligned and also keep them level, so as not to 'spill' any water.
More practice tips to come!
Thursday Practice - Day #2 in the rotation
The Details:
It's a chilly 40 at the house. Music in The Barn has been postponed until next Wednesday 2-4. I don't have anything scheduled today. Perhaps a visit to Paul? Otherwise I've got plenty of organizing to do with all the 'stuff' that I brought home from The Studio. I need to do the last mow of the season and get the Tractor to the shop.
The Practice:
I started by reading a poem from Mary Oliver's book 'Evidence' and acoustic guitar practice. I was moving a bit slow this morning and encountering resistance and inertia to start my practice this morning. Using self-discipline I was able to start. Once I got started the day's practice became easier. Oy! You'd think after all these decades it would be easier. The reality is that IF I chose to not 'do it' but give into the resistance to start I would feel like crap for the rest of the day and probably beyond.. It should be easier but in reality the consistence could work against me. "I've been so good, I've earned to right to skip a day" inner dialogue can be the most dangerous kind of thinking (to your daily practice).
Next I went out on The Deck with Echo and did a full round of The 10+ focused on overall health and consistency. I did a dumbbell routine when I did #8.
I also did The Dragons Back after #7 and Ba Shi after #8. I'm still doing the 3 Swings and Song Gong for #10.
Next I went out to my main practice area and did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I.
Next I did Yin Fu Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Changes 1-4 (both sides) I recited the names of postures where I could. I used Lion Stepping throughout the form.
Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa using the highest quality basics I could muster up, as well as monitoring the correctness of the sequence, using correct techniques in the correct direction.
Next I did a round of Niahanchi Kata tuned into the changes that I've made to this Kata.
Next I did a round of Taiji Dao using a metal broadsword. I did find my wooden Bokken in the garage. Yay!
Next I did Pa-Kua Knife focused on correct sequence. The form is coming along but I'm still a bit confused about the original sequence. I do have a clip of Sifu Ray performing this form back in 1984.
I finished and returned to the house to journal today's practice here in this blog.
Email Sifu for information about Private Lessons.
Modern Arnis Rank Promotions
American Karate-do Rank Promotions
Jeff Chaisson - Black VI
Malcolm Howard - Brown III
Jason Wessinger Hornick - Brown I
Karen Wessinger - Brown I
Ed Medina - Green
Olivia Basset - Purple w/ Honerable Mention for Kata
Andrew Norwood - Blue
Chrissy Montelli - Yellow
Jasha Oberski - Yellow
Lucien Oberski - Yellow
Aki Greenstein - Yellow
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Smooth is Fast - Fa Jin is fast
KE = 0.5 * m * v^2
This is the formula for Kinetic Force. Doubling speed (velocity) quadruples energy, while doubling mass only doubles it.
So, in martial arts, sports, or collisions, speed is far more productive than mass for creating impactful force.
In Taijiquan (and Baguazhang), Fa Jing "issuing energy" is key to delivering penetrating strikes, even if the person isn't large.
Fa Jin is a refined skill to generate speed (and force) in a short space using the whole body (with a single point to a single point). Also consider, there are other factors involved than just striking power that uproots an opponent. Golden opportunities come and go very fast.
Wednesday Practice - Day 8, 859 - Day #1 in the rotation
The Details:
It's a chilly 47 at the house. I'm going to try to visit Paul later today. I just heard back that today is not a great day. I'll try again on Friday.
The Practice:
Tuesday November 14, 2028 will be 10,000 day's. When I committed to 10,000 consecutive day's practicing Taijiquan I didn't quite reaiize what I was signing up for. I started the project just after I turned 50 (3.9.51 to 6.30.2001) and I'll be in my late 70's when I reach 10,000 day's....Oy Vey
I started on The Deck with Echo assisting with a full round of The 10+. I used various dumbbells for added weight on #8. I also added Overhead Press and Around The Head (with dumbbells) to my routine.
Next I went out to my main training area and did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I remained focused on cultivating a profound connection to nature's Qi.
Next I did a brief Standing (PT) and Healing Qigong.
Next I did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang Yin/Yang Figure Eight Circle Walking (both sides). I was using Lion Stepping and monitoring and feeling the changes as opposed to counting my steps and changing consciously.
Next I did a round of Anyo Isa focused on using high quality punches, kicks and stances. I added as much airtime as I could to the Progressive Stepping.
Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on using quality basics throughout as well as details that I need to pass along to Jeff.
Next I did a round of Taiji Cane Form (both sides) focused on transferring the sequence from the right to the left side.
I returned to the house to journal today's practice.
Email Sifu for into on private lessons