Wednesday Practice at Paul's

 

The Details:

It's 50 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:19. It's forecast to be cool and clear today.

The Practice:

I started in The Driveway with a brief Warm Up and a Round of Taiji (left side) tuned into bending my forward knee before transferring my weight to the forward foot. I let the videos that I watched by the late Micheal Phillips freely influence my Round. 

Next I drove the Lexus down to Hatfield to meet with Paul.

We started with a Warm Up in the living room. Paul was in stocking feet so I encouraged practicing on the carpet in the living room as opposed to the hardwood floors.

Next we did Big Circles in both directions. This is the first time that Paul was able to discern The Fountain (right hand going clockwise) from The Whirlpool (right hand going counter clockwise). I tested it a few times and he was able to discern the difference every time. I also did both directions in the T'ai Chi Ruler variation and once again he was able to discern the difference every time. Fabulous!

Next we did a short Standing Meditation. I one finger pushed him on all four cardinal directions. The idea (theory) is to not stop your mind at the point of contact, whether you are receiving or issuing, but to link the contact point to the feet, yours and your partners as well.

Next we did a Focus Pad session focused on full extension of punches. Paul regularly gets 'jazzed up' when he does Focus Pad work. The session was no different.

Next we did Palms Up/Palms Down with a few at the end with added resistance (from me)

Next we did Full Open (spreading the webbing between the fingers) and Full Close (tight fists)

Next we did the first half of Part I - Paul followed me through twice. I did not add any detail or watch for accuracy. 

Next we did Single Arm Push-Hands first circling then with resistance while pushing and pulling.

Overall I introduced more principles, theory and detail than before and Paul seemed to be able to understand and physically do it too!

Michael Phillips RIP - Solo Form Demo w Counts

Lyon Workshop - Tsai and Lieh

Mr B P Chan

BP CHAN TRAINING THE YANG 24 POSTURE FORM

Tuesday Practice at The Studio

 

The Details:

It's 47 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:18. It's cool and clear, forecast to be another nice day.

The Practice:

I had a mostly male class today. Bob, Jack, Lenny, Wes and Janee. Read called in to say he tweaked his back and probably wouldn't be coming in this morning.

We started with a sensitivity drill with a partner. The drill starts with pulling the opponents forward arm across their body, where it's neutralized, then you  are prepared to push which is neutralized then your partner feeds a forward arm elbow strike.

After a bit of discussion about the drill and principles I spoke a little about Neutral Postures and the principle of "Neither deficiency, nor excess"

Next we did a round of Taiji (right side) 

I finished with Healing Qigong

mysteries 1 - Micheal Phillips RIP

mysteries 2 - Micheal Phillips RIP

mysteries 3 - Michael Phillips R.I.P.

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 64 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:17. It's forecast to be cool and clear today.

The Practice:

After going into Stop & Shop for a medium grocery shop and unloading and putting away the supplies I went out to my main practice area.

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on the health benefits of regularly doing this set. 

I continue to work on evolving #6, #7 and #9. I've added The Dragons Back exercises to #7. I've been doing Baguazhang Yin Fu 8 Palms #3 and the two variations of the Linking 8 Palms Set too.

Next I did a Round of Taiji (left side) focused on "Neither excess, nor deficiency, hollow nor projection, severance nor splice" throughout the round.

Next I did Healing Qigong

Next I did two rounds of Anyo Pito. I somehow ended up facing the wrong way at the ending. When that happens I do the form a second time; getting out of the way (mentally/emotionally) to the best of my ability.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata tuned into the quality of my techniques with the correct sequence. 

Time for lunch!!

Pride in craftsmanship

 Pride In Craftsmanship

Time is precious

 Time is precious, spend it wisely!

Ram Das Says:

 Ram Das

Sunday Practice - Day 8, 464

 

The Details:

It's 68 at the house. The sunrise was at 6:16. We're going to help Genna move this morning. 

The Practice:

I started with a full round of Yin Fu 8 Linking Palms around my Bagua Poles. I learned this Set directly from Dr. Leung Kay-Chi in the late 1980's. I did the two variations of #3 that I know.

                                            Dr. Leung performs "Snake and Hawk Palm" 

Next I did a brief Warm Up using the first few from The 10+ tuned into health

Next I did a Round of Taiji (right side) focused on 'swimming in air' and separating Jin, Qi and Shen and harmonizing them. I also focused on cultivating with nature.

Next I did Healing Qigong

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat tuned into correct sequence, stance work and applications.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata tuned into agility and the health benefits of this Kata.