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 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,

Learn Taiji & Qigong

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. 

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Yang style Taijiquan 13 Spear - with Master Ray Hayward

What should you pay attention to while practicing?

One of my favorite Single Leg Standing Post Training Postures 

- Raise Hands/Play Guitar -  

What should you pay attention to while practicing Taijiquan or Baguazhang?

 What you pay attention to while practicing is the most important aspect of practicing. Adjust what you are thinking about and you'll have adjusted you physical practice. 

It's essential to calibrate your mind in order to access higher levels of skills and internal development.

I refer to this mental calibration as "Correct Thinking": 

Adjusting (calibrating) what your minds eye is attending to.

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!

Email me with feedback or questions 

First T'ai Chi Ch'uan Classic attributed to Zhang San Feng

First T'ai Chi Ch'uan Classic attributed to Zhang San Feng (the final third)

Using Progressive Stepping for a knife held at the small of the back

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

 

Promoted on Wednesday September 24, 2025

Jeff Chaisoon - Lakan Anim (4th degree black belt)

Luke Smith - Lakan Anim (4th degree black belt)

Malcolm Howard - Low Green

Zach Fraley - Low Green 

American Karate-do Rank Promotions

 

 Rank Promotions Wednesday September :

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

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.

Yin Fu Baguazhang applications

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