Saturday Practice - Live in the present moment

 

                                     I shot this with my phone camera facing S S/E from The Deck.

The details:

It's 59 at the house. Sunrise was at 5:25.

The Practice:

I practiced on The Deck this morning.

I started with a full round of The 10+ tuned into the opening of my body and mind and connecting to the spring Qi.

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into the being in the present moment and realizing that if you were truly in the present moment you would loose the sequence of the form. So there's a balance of being IN the moment but do to the point where you loose your place in the form. Cool!!

I ended with a Healing Qigong before returning to preparations for the graduation party tomorrow afternoon.

So much to do!!

A quote from Thich Nhat Hanh:

"One of the basic teachings of the Buddha

is that it is possible to live happily 

in the present moment."

Friday Practice - Compassion will transform life

 

I shot this image with my phone camera from The Deck looking W S/W. The lilacs are in bloom it smells amazing all around the house. Perfect!

                                       Looking S S/W from The Deck. Spring green is Ooh la la!

The Details:

It's 51 at the house. Sunrise was at 5:26.

The Practice:

I had a 8-9 am video call with Jeff to start the day, then I had a dental cleaning in Greenfield at 10.

I started my practice, out on The Deck with The 10+, after getting off the computer with Jeff.

Next I did a Round tuned in to gratitude, appreciation and compassion in the present moment!

I ended with a Healing Qigong before cleaning up for my dentist appointment.

Notes:

Thich Nhat Hanh:

" The energy of compassion in you will transform life 

and 

make it more beautiful."

Echo emerging from his tunnel bed....

 

                                             A daily routine; emerging from his cocoon!

Thursday Practice - Touching one thing deeply -

                       The view from The Loft looking south towards East Hill and Beaver Meadow.

The Details:

It's 59 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:27. It's going to be a rainy day!

The Practice:

It was raining so I practiced up in The Loft. 

I started with a Standing Session on a Bosu Ball. I released downward and tuned into feeling the difference of my new orthotics.

Next I did a full round of Self-Massage tuned into moving blood, lymph and Qi.

Next I did a round of The 10+ interspersed with organizing and cleaning The Loft. I've got a dump run in my future!!

Next I did a Round of Taiji Quan (left side) tuned into transformation and mobilizing Jin. I had a very powerful Round both from a cultivation perspective and a martial perspective. Well balanced and very serene.

Thich Nhat Haah quote:

"You touch one thing deeply and everything is there." 

Next I went out on the deck (it had stopped raining momentarily) and did a round of Anyo Walo tuned into the quality of the Form.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on connecting my tan t'ien to my fists, fingers and palms.

                      The view from The Deck looking south towards East Hill and Beaver Meadow.

Tian Zhaolin frame 'Huang DeFa' - Historical Video -

A historical video 

Perhaps the oldest video record of the Tian Zhaolin Form.

Performed by Huang Defa, direct student of and assistant teacher for Tian Zhaolin.

Wednesday Practice

 

             I shot this with my phone camera standing right outside the back door to the house looking east.

The Details:

It's 60 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:28.

The Practice:

I practiced out in The Barn before I left for South Hadley. I had an appointment with Fournier Foot Care to get my orthotics looked at and a new pair made. It's an hour drive each way and I had a gig in Greenfield at the Energy Park at 1 with the Awesome Possums. I had a limited amount of time.

I started with a brief warm up using the first few of The 10+

Next I did a Round of Taiji Quan (left side) tuned into transformation and making space inside my body. 

After my appointment I drove back, had a bit to eat, loaded up my car and drove back into Greenfield just in time to set up my snare drum and bass guitar. The sound was weird for my bass because when Brian (the sound guy) took and out from the back of the amp to the PA the sound went out on the amp. I had a heck of a time hearing myself. That's how it goes with gigs, chalk it up to experience!

       The Awesome Possums on stage at the Energy Park event for Mental Health in Franklin County.

Tuesday Practice @ The Studio

 

I shot this with my phone camera after class this morning. 

The Details:

It was 57 at the house. Sunrise was at 5:29. 

The Practice:

i went into The Studio this morning to teach the Taiji and Qigong class from 8-9:30. 

I started with a short talk about the importance of 

- Doing This / Don't Do That. 

- Going At Your Own Pace

- Listening and adjusting moment by moment.

-  Some theory on how to stretch your fascia. 

- Hun/Haaa Breathing

I started with a round of Taiji Qigong (The 21) tuned into Breathing and Opening/Stretching.

Next i did a round of The 10+ with just a little explanation on #3, #6, #9 and #10+ (too much material to share here.)

Next I did a Round of Taiji Quan tuned into the space/no space between the postures. We also tuned into Zhong Ding (relaxed and consistent balance) throughout. 

I finished with a Healing Qigong

After class I did a couple of rounds of Taiji Jian with Jeff, Janee and Read.

I finished with a row or two of Lazy D on the left side.

I stayed and talked with Jeff until about 11......His back is an issue. I hope he can work through it! Lower backs are tough! Especially for a martial arts teacher!!

Monday Practice

I I shot this with my phone camera looking S S/E from The Deck.

 

The Details:

It was 46 this morning. Sunrise was at 5:30.

The Practice:

I did a short practice on The Deck because I had a Doctors appointment at 10. The office called about 9 to tell me that they had to reschedule because the Doctor was out sick today. Next Monday at 11:00. Oh well...

I did a Round (right side) to Master T. T. Liang's music with him counting out the beats. I tuned into the space between the postures and the overall flow of the Form. 

I also cultivated Nature's Spring Qi by expanding out and drawing in Qi then sinking it to my Tan T'ien.

Sunday Practice

 

I shot this with my phone camera looking north from my main practice spot.

The Details:

It's 47 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:31, cloudy but dry.

The Practice:

I practiced in my main practice spot about 9 ish. 

I started in the driveway with a round of Taiji Dao using Master Liang's broadsword

Next I did level push basics with my left side.

Next I moved to my main practice spot to do a round of Yin Fu 8 Palms Set around my first Bagua tree. I did Changes 1-6 on both sides. I'm still working on my understanding of Change #6 in this Set. Master Hayward is doing a different version of this Change than what I originally learned from him.

 Next I did a Round of Taiji Quan (right side) tuned into feeling and sinking my Qi and cultivating nature's Qi.  

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito tuned into agility. I can see the Shotokan influence when I practice Modern Arnis Anyo Pito. RIP Prof. Remy Presas - Gone but not forgotten. 

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata tuned into the changes that I'm making to that form. I haven't fully flushed them out yet. Slow and steady as she goes!

I finished with a Healing Qigong.

Saturday Practice - #10

 I shot this image with my phone camera about mid morning from The Deck looking south toward Beaver Meadow and East Hill.

The Details:

It's 45 here at the house. The sunrise was at 5:32.

The Practice:

I practiced on The Deck. It's easiest with tea and 'stuff' 

I started with a full round of The 10+. I focused on #9 using #3 Change from Yin Fu's 8 Palms. I did both versions of #3. One from the First Yin Fu Set (from Wang Shujin - with the 'kick up') and the other from the 8 Palms Set. I've been consistently working on Snake & Hawk Palm this year. 

Next I did a round of The Old 8 Palms from Cheng T'ing Hwa BaguaZhang tuned into opening without contracting, Breathing in the fresh, breathing out the old and stale. I cultivated Nature's Qi throughout the set.

Next I did a Round (left side) to Master T. T. Liang counting out the beats to the music. I stayed with the count and reflected on the tranquillity and flow that I can access from doing a Round of Taiji with Master Liang counting. Pretty awesome it is!! 

Next I wore 2 1/2 lbs wrist weights and did a round of Anyo Anim tuned into posture and positions. The idea is to strengthen not injure my shoulders (whole body).

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata tuned into the agility, coordination and strengthening that can be cultivated by doing this Kata.

Throughout the session I stayed tuned into Principal #10

Yang Cheng Fu's Ten Essential Points of Taiji Quan:

#10 "In movement seek tranquility."

Master Paul's commentary:
"The eternal arts are proficient in leaping and making forceful movements. The exhaust the breath and strength so that after practicing them one must pant for want of breath. Taiji Quan uses tranquillity to control movement. Although one moves, one remains tranquil, so that in practicing the postures the more slowly one moves the better. When one moves slowly the movement of the breath becomes long and deep, qi sinks to the tan t'ien, and the excessive tensing of the blood vessels is avoided. If the student examines carefully (each principle) and makes it his own through constant practice, how can he fail to acquire the true meaning of all the above?

The Spine - Translation by Liang Dehua

 The Spine (背脊)

Han Xiong Ba Bei, or 'contains the chest and raises the back,' are Taijiquan terms. Being able to contain the chest enables raising the back; thus, these two actions are interconnected. When the chest is slightly drawn inward, the muscles of the back relax and sink downward, and the spine between the shoulders seems to be raised and pulled upwards naturally, which is referred to as raising the back. It should occur naturally and should not use force to raise it up intentionally, as this could lead to developing a hunchback.

Taijiquan is about the transformation of storing and releasing (Xu Jin and Fa Jin), and the key lies in containing the chest and raising the back. The function of containing the chest is conducive to neutralizing Jin (storing Jin), and the function of raising the back is conducive to Juan (rolling back) Jin and Fang Jin (releasing Jin). The saying "force is released from the spine" is the result of raising the back. In the technique of Fa Jin, raising the back cooperates with the waist, allowing the Nei Jin (internal Jin) to rise from the heel, pass through the spine, and manifest in the fingertips.

Taijiquan places great emphasis on training the spine and back because the back houses the Governor Vessel (Du Mai), which contains important acupoints that are the convergence centers for the body's Qi and blood. The Qi of the organs and meridians is interconnected through the acupoints. Practicing the form helps stretch and activate the muscles around the shoulders and back, giving the spine strength and elasticity, harmonizing qi and blood, opening blockages, and having a good effect on digestion, absorption, and metabolism, playing a significant role in overall health and wellness.

From 《太极拳谱内外功研几录》or 'Treatise on the Internal and External Practices of Taijiquan,' by master Shi Chengzhi.

All reactions:

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Friday Practice

 

I shot this image with my phone camera looking south towards East Hill and Beaver Meadow. I was standing right in front of my garage at the opening where I keep my Bimmer.

The Detail:

It's 52 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:32.

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10 + tuned into internal development/cultivation

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into Transformation and accessing a tranquil state of stillness internally. 

I got a text that my John Deere was ready for pick up. Oh Boy!!

Thursday Practice - #9

 

         I shot this image with my phone camera from the deck looking W S/W. It's a beautiful morning to practice outside! With gratitude and appreciation!

The Details:

It's 52 here at the house. The sunrise was at 5:34.

The Practice:

I started inside with The Ten +, I was on hold trying to get my John Deere X320 fixed. I've got my fingers crossed that April is going to come through for me. Please!!

Next I went out on the deck to do a Round (right side) to the music with Master T. T. Liang counting out the beats. I tuned into #9 principle:

Yang Cheng Fu's Ten Essential Points

#9 "Each posture must be joined to the next without interruption."

Master Paul's commentary:

" The energy of the external arts is the brute muscular force of Later Heaven. Therefore, it alternately waxes and wanes, is broken off and re-connected. When the old strength has been exhausted and the new is not yet developed (i. e. when one move is finished and the next has not yet begun) one can very easily be controlled by an opponent. In Taiji Quan one uses mind-intent rather than muscular force. From beginning to end it continues fluidly without a break; completing a cycle and beginning again, it flows in an endless circle and is never exhausted. An early treatise says, "it is like a great river or the sea itself, flowing on endlessly without ceasing." It is also said, "Mobilize the intrinsic energy as if you were reeling silk from a cocoon." All of this refers to its continuity without break.

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima tuned into the applications and stance work.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata tuned into the stance work for cultivating agility.

I finished by using the Power Broom on the driveway for 1/2 hour or so. We're about 85% done with the driveway, thanks to the power broom. Oy Vey!

Wednesday Practice

 

         I shot this image with my phone camera before it started raining, actually pouring cats and dogs!

The Details:

It's 52 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:35. 

The Practice:

I'm going down to Hatfield to visit and train with Paul C.

It was raining by the time I was ready to practice. I did a round of The 10+ to warm up and check my body for injuries that I might have picked up yesterday using the 'power broom' to clean up the driveway. 

Note:

Because the ground didn't freeze the plow person really chewed up the driveway. There's a lot of TRG on the lawn, especially at the bottom. What a wreck!!

Next I went up in the loft to do a Round (left side) tuning into internal development and how daily Taiji strengthens ones core and affects ones bone and joint health. 

I looked for space everywhere inside by releasing and expanding.

"Hang the muscles

Open the joints"

                                 I shot this with my phone camera soon after arriving at Paul's. 

I got to Paul's around 10. We started right in with a short Warm Up that included Up And Down and Whirlwind and Whirpool with arms making large circles with finger tips leading, then we finished with #1 and #2 of The Ten

Next we did the bow stance version of Taiji Ruler.

Next we did a round of Separate and Push expressing Jin in the hands and fingers.

Next we did open and close the hands and fingers - Fist to Open Hand - 

Next we did two Rounds of Part I up to the second Brush Knee And Twist Step, with no corrections.

Next we walked around the kitchen island.

Next we worked on #4 Pulling The Toes Back to strengthen the front of the shine 

Next we practiced Lion Walking - Heel strike w/ toes up then rolling onto the ball of the foot - around the kitchen island.

Next we did Cross Punches to a focus pad with long stretched out punches without leaning forward too much, rather maintaining ones balance, also extending and retracting the punch as if the forearm was in a 'sleeve' ala a piston.  

 Next we did single arm Push-Hands focused on pushing and pulling power. I had him using me to push and pull on with the goal to push me off my base. 

After a bit of conversation I headed back up the valley to Leyden.