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.
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