"You got it baby?" "Relax, go slow" "Be Happy" "Go with the Flow" are some of the Professors regular sayings that leads to the 'Magic' meaning everybody had a good time and they were smiling?
The Details:
It was 46 at the house (Brrr). Sunrise was at 5:15. It ended up being a beautiful blue bird kind of day. A wee bit on the cooler side but still!!
The Practice:
I've got a 8-9 video call with Jeff this morning, then a guitar lesson with Shubal at 11. Cancelled!
I practiced out by Big Greenie (The tree) and started with The 10+ tuned into #4 to prepare the attendants on Sunday for one of the baiting techniques in Tapi Tapi and an empty hand technique and entrance for Single Sinawalli.
Next I did a Round of Taiji (right side) tuned into the transformation that occurs with daily practice.
Next I did a round of Anyo Anim tuned into applications especially at the beginning and at the end.
Next I did round of Kusanku Kata tuned into the agility and benefit that is gained from practicing this form. I demands agility!
Next I did a Healing Qigong
Next I moved to the driveway and did a round of the 4 Modern Arnis Stick/Cane Anyo with a broadsword.
l to R Roland Dantes, Prof. Remy Presas (wheelchair), Kelly Worden (sitting) Brian Zawalinski and myself.
Many thanks to Brian Z for sharing this photo with me. It's the last time any of us were with the Prof. RIP - Gone but not forgotten.
The Details:
It's 55 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:16. It was cool and raining medium hard.
The Practice:
I started with a full round of The 10 + interspersed with inspiration about what to teach this coming Sunday at the Modern Arnis Workshop from 10-Noon. I have some ideas!
I did a short Healing Qigong sending Healing Energy to family, friends, students and teachers, and all sentient beings throughout the universe (s)
Next I did a Round (left side) tuned into the principles and transformation.
Next I did a round of Anyo Lima tuned into the application with an imaginary partner.
Next I did a round of Chinto Kata tuned into the specifics in this Kata and the notion that the form represents SD on a hillside.
I finished by brainstorming material to present on Sunday. I have a bunch of ideas.
The main one from the Prof. is to create the 'magic':
Be relaxed,
Be Happy,
Don't worry,
Go slow and easy,
No stress,
Be comfortable and enjoy yourself.
Smile!!
Go with the flow.
Find your own way to make 'it' work for you!
Wei was grandmaster of 8Step Praying Mantis and Master Liang's teacher in Taiwan.
Thanks to Master Ray Hayward for finding and sharing this historical footage.
Isn't video marvelous? IMO it's the biggest innovation to happen in martial arts this era.
Curriculum will be determined by who signs up, but it will be pure Modern Arnis that I learned directly from Prof. Remy Presas.
Email me if you're interested
Or speak to Sensei Jeff or Guro Luke before or after classes.
The Details:
It's 59 here at the house. Sunrise was at 5:16
The Practice:
I did a Round (right side) in the driveway before driving to Paul's in Hatfield.
I started with a brief round of The 10+ doing only a few of each.
Next I drove to Hatfield for 10am
When I arrived at Paul's we went upstairs to his beautiful Taiji Room
I started with empty hand single Sinawalli with moderate success.
Next a brief warm up mostly the neck and upper body.
Paul was tired from 4 days of visitors this past week.
Next we did a push and pull version of single arm Push-Hands. He is having trouble putting his weight on the right side.
Next we walked around my knapsack, with the idea to keep a constant distance from the knapsack.
Next we worked on Dorsiflexion. As we age there's usually on foot that is more difficult to 'pull back' than the other. A combination of tight calf and weak front of shin. Working on it regularly will yield results. Daily is best.
With any method:
Consistency is more critical that intensity.....Always!
Lastly we did 3/4 of Part I of the Taiji Solo Form - I focused on the proper sequence for the introduction.
Paul said he was tired, so we stopped training and went down stairs.
I watched him go down the stairs.
Afterwards I made a few suggestions.
He did a little practice on the first few steps going up and down holding on to the railing. Working on his 'Stair Climbing Method' both going up and then coming down. It seems that going down is more difficult than going up. Going up he is using a lot of pulling himself up with both hands.
Hopefully the PT person will address going up and down stairs during his PT appointment this afternoon.
I drove back to Leyden and stopped for gas and groceries on the way.
The Details:
It's 66 at the house. The sunrise was at 5:17.
The Practice:
I went into The Studio to teach the 8-9:30am Taiji and Qigong Class. I had four students show up.
I talked about Longevity.....It's a thing! You can relate that to just about everything. Strive to consistently practice over a long period of time. Just staying healthy enough to practice as one ages is a goal.
I started with a Warm Up using the first half of Master Ray Haywards warm ups.
Next I did full session of Standing. I adjusted the sequence to put the hardest postures in the middle and starting and ending with the easiest.
Next I did a round of The 21 (Taiji Qigong) talking through the breathing.
After a short water break we did a Round of Taiji Quan starting on the left side for Part I and back to the right side for Part II & III.
I ended with a Healing Qigong
After class I did a round of The Taiji Dance with Read. We made it through both sides. Yay!
Next I did a round of Taiji Jian with Janee talking through the names of postures.
Next I did a round of Taiji Jian on my own.
I left The Studio to make a short stop at Travis' to return his tablet.
Next I went to the YMCA to do a CYBEX session. I saw Jackie Burke there.
I connected with Zach to repair the Gibson 335 ES Dot.....Yay! It'll take time and a couple hundred dollars...but at least it'll be fixed!
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.