Prof Cheng's 4 directions pushing hands method, part 2. Techniques and i...

Master Ray Hayward teaches 4 direction Push-Hands from Master T. T. Liang

Prof Cheng's 4 directions pushing hands method, part 3. Techniques and c...

Master Ray Hayward explains 4 direction Push-Hands from Master T. T. Liang's

Prof Cheng's 4 directions pushing hands method, part 1

Master Ray Hayward explains Master T. T. Liang's 4 direction Push-Hands

Prof Cheng's 4 directions pushing hands method, part 4, Roll Back: Half ...

Master Ray Hayward presents Roll Back.

Monday Memorial Day Practice

 

It was raining today so I opted to practice in The Barn. I also set up my Tama drum kit and started in on the PA. I shot this wide angle with my phone camera.

The Details:

It's 65 here at the house. The sunrise was at 5:18.

The Practice:

After setting up the Tama's and a session of drum set practice. I got them sounding pretty darn good! I started with a round of The 10+ on The Porch.

Next I did a Round (left side) to the Master T. T. Liang's music and his count. I tuned into the 'arrangement' and focused in on making what could feel fast, feel slow. 

Next I came inside The Barn and did a round of Anyo Apat tuned into the kicks and set ups for the kicks and basics in general.

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata tuned into the slipping of punches by angling my body. This happens several times throughout the kata.

Next I used my Dragon Canes to do a complete Stick Warm Up and a session of Arnis basics ending with the 'Around The Head' series.

I finished with a Healing Qigong....

The Tama's w/ my Premiere 2000 snare drum (hidden). This kit is all birch, very well constructed with a 18" bass drum. I've been playing my big Ludwig kit in the loft. This kit sounds very different and is very fun to play. I'm looking forward to playing music with my pals.

         A high quality all Birch Kit that I bought this a few years back from my drum pal Dave K.

I'll be teaching Taiji & Qigong Tuesday 5/28 from 8-9:30 @ The Studio

 

I hope you can join me Tuesday 5/28 from 8-9:30 am @ The Studio for Taiji Quan and Qigong Class.

Email me if you can make it. Thanks!

Email Sifu Roy

Sunday Memorial Day Practice

 

                 My main outdoor practice spot. I shot this with my phone camera wide angle.

The Details:

It's 65 here at the house. The sunrise was at 5:18.

The Practice:

I started outdoors in my main practice spot. I immediately noticed the Black Flies, but thought I could pull it off.

I started with a round of The 10+ but by the time I got to #2 it was apparent that I would have to move indoors to escape the pesky Black Flies.

I went into The Barn and finished The 10+ interspersed with cleaning and organizing The Barn. I'm preparing to set up my Tama drum set. 

The Barn before I started to set up the Tama's

I've been having a massive amount of trouble posting to this blog. Evidently  my newer chrome book is in need of an overhaul. It's become completely useless and super annoying. I've switched to the Lenevo laptop that I usually keep upstairs. It's working much, much better!

After The 10+ I did a Round (right side) tuned into consistency of practice and the slow but steady transformation that occurs with daily practice.

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo tuned into the applications and transformation.

Next I did a round of Seiuchin Kata tuned into the sequence and stability of postures and transitions.

Next I used my Dragon Canes to do a full Stick Warm Up and Modern Arnis double stick basics for twirling. I did a full shoulder routine also.

Saturday Practice - O'Day 17 to the boatyard

 

                   It took a few hours but there she is all tucked in and ready to launch.

The Details:

It's 53 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:19

The Practice:

I had limited time this morning. It's the day to bring the boat to the lake.

I practiced in the driveway before I drove up to the lake.

I started with a modified version (shortened) of The 10 +

Next I did a Round on the right side tuned into consistency

I ended with a Healing Qigong.

                One of the more complicated things to rig; Rigging the main sheet through it's cleat.

Friday Practice

 

                        I shot this with my phone camera. Looking north towards my main practice area.

The Details:

It's 56 here at the house. The sunrise was at 5:20.

The Practice:

I practiced in my main practice area this morning. I had a 8-9 video call with Jeff, but was later cancelled. 

I started with round of The 10+ tuned into transformation and the effects of daily practice. Consistency is the key!

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into the principles and cultivating natures qi.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa tuned into transformation

Next I did a round of Seisan Kate tuned into the quality of basics and postures. I also tuned into the timing of stepping and punching or blocking.

Next  I did a round of Taiji Double Dao (broadsword) using my Dragon Canes tuned into the health benefit by doing this form, especially tuned into shoulder and arm/hand health.

I finished with a healing qigong.

Note:

I had a guitar lesson with Shubal at 11. I needed time to pack up and get ready to go. It takes about 1/2 hour to get to his place in Colrain.

Thursday Practice - Looking deeply at one thing -

                   I shot this with my phone camera looking west in front of The Barn.

The Details:

It's 64 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:21

The Practice:

I practiced on the stone patio in front of The Barn.

I started with a modified warm up using the beginning of Master Ray's 30 warm ups interspersed with The 10+.

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into the continued and subtle transformation that I'm receiving as I practice Taiji daily. I'm in my third decade of consistent daily practice. What a marvelous and mysterious exercise.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa tuned into the overall quality of the form

Next a short session of double stick basics using my Dragon Sticks.

I had a long conversation with Brian Z. I'm planning on participating in the next Modern Arnis 'Round Table' discussion next Wed. evening

"Looking deeply at any one thing,

 we see the whole cosmos."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Wednesday Practice - Compassion is born of understanding -

 

I shot this with my phone camera looking south from in front of the 3rd bay of my garage. 

The Details:

It was 65 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:21.

The Practice:

I did a Round (right side) in the driveway tuned into the constant transformation that occurs when one practices the principles when doing a Round of Taiji daily.

I drove down to Hatfield to work with Paul. I met Read there at 10.

We started with a warm up in Paul's Taiji Room.

I suggested to Paul:

 A wider stance 

Big open circles 

Circles in both directions

Turning palms up and down, in and out

The Introduction to the solo form - Six Counts

Reverse Punches with resistance

Single Hand Push-Hands

I finished with a little conversation with Jean.

Paul was tired.

"Compassion is always born of understanding,

and understanding is the result of looking deeply."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Tuesday at The Studio Practice

 

                        I shot this with my phone camera this morning before anyone showed up.

The Details:

It was 56 at the house. Sunrise was at 5:24

The Practice:

I drove into The Studio around 7:25 for the 8 am class.

I unlocked and opened a few windows and changed into my training sneakers. 

I did a round of  The 8 Animal Set from Cheng Style Bagua Zhang.

Next I did a session of Yin/Yang Walking from Cheng Style Bagua Zhang

I had Read and Lucy show up for class this morning. They wanted to work on Master T. T. Liang's Two Person Dance (form). 

Lucy and I started with two person Withdraw And Push tuned into palm up on the hand moving under in a wiping manner and keeping a neutral posture throughout.

I introduced the first Da Lu - We worked on Shoulder Stroke

Lucy and Read did parts I II III with a few suggestions.

Time was getting short so we did a Round of Taiji Quan on the left side.

I ended with a short Standing with a Healing Qigong 

Lucy had to leave

Read and I worked to get through the entire sequence on one side. It's been awhile!

I went to the YMCA and did a full round of CYBEX - Those are great machines!

A short stop and TITO'S for a pork bowl. 

Next stop home and lunch wih GG

Next a walk around The Farm to help digest and then some Blog-ing.....That's all folks!

Please let me know if you're reading this. Thanks!

email Sifu

Monday Practice - Take care of ourselves -

 

The Details:

It's 53 here at the house. The sunrise was at 5:23.

The Practice:

I practiced on The Patio in front of The Barn this morning. I've got a doctors appointment at 11 this morning, so I was on a schedule.

I started with a full round of The 10+ tuned into transformation and principles.

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into taking care of myself. How does doing a Round a Day translate to abundant health as we age? I can't quite put my finger on exactly why, but I do enjoy the benefits of daily Taiji Quan practice. It's a marvelous and intelligent form of exercise for mind, body and spirit! I feel lucky to have it in my life.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa tuned in the quality of my basics and postures. 

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata tuned into the changes that I'm making to that form. I think I've got it pretty well flushed out, in the end it looks like just a couple of changes; Taking out the finger strikes and the second double pivot. 

Note:

A quote to reflect on:

                                                                    Thich Nhat Hanh

"To take care of ourselves, 

we take care of those around us."

Sunday Practice - Graduation Party Day

 

Setting up for the big graduation party for Dylan and Guilia. Yay, it doesn't look like rain and with the cloud cover to too hot either. Perfect!!

The Details:

It's 59 at the house this morning. Sunrise was at 5:24.

The Practice:

I did a short workout in between chores, lot's and lot's of chores! But The Farm never looked better. The house and barn too! 

I did an abbreviated version of The 10 + tuned into opening my body, releasing tension and entering into a tranquil state. The last one was challenging because of the amount of chores that need to get done before the party.

Next I did a Round (right side) tuned into the transformation that occurs with long term consistent practice of the Taiji solo form.

I ended with a brief Standing and a Healing Qigong.

A quote from Thich Nhat Hanh:

"Breathing out,

I am the moon

that is sailing 

through the sky

of utmost

emptiness.

I am freedom"