Friday Practice - Day 8,798

 

The Details:

It's a cool 61 at the house this morning. We're scheduled to help out this evening at Melinda's in preparation for Dylan and Guilia's Wedding Party tomorrow afternoon. Our new IPhone 15's came yesterday. GG is attempting to transfer data from our old phones to the new 15's. EVERYTHING is complicated and confusing....Ugh!

The Practice:

I did a full acoustic guitar practice as is evidenced by the callouses on my fingers. I continue to apply my main training idea to the guitar; I.e. approaching the practice daily whether I feel like it or not. A goal is to have at least one 15 minute practice session per day. The other idea I use is to 'invest in loss' by practicing very specifically trying to play as 'cleanly' as possible. Even though playing a chord (especially F major) without inadvertently muting strings (cleanly) slows the process....It's the only way to become a good player. 

Next I went out to The Deck and did a full round of The 10+ focused on being consistent and overall health. I added 'Spiral Down, Spiral Up' at the end of the set. I've also added 25 lbs to my Wuji Squats (#8) as well as a dumbbell routine using 20 lbs dumbbells to do 1. Curls 2. Triceps 3. Back.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I stayed focused on 1. Tongue at the roof of the mouth 2. Breathing in and out through the nose 3. Observing and monitoring with a meditative (third party) state of mind.

Next I did Standing PT and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito monitoring the sequence and direction of postures.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on the flow and sequence of postures as well as using high quality basics.

Next I did a round of Taiji Double Dao focused on shoulder health and hand/forearm strength. 

I finished by coming inside and journaling today's practice in this blog.

Email Sifu for Private Lessons

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 70 at the house. I'm going to be preparing clothes and camera's for Dylan and Guilia's Wedding Party on Saturday. I talked to my sister about plans to attend both Janee's Celebration of Life and Dylan's wedding party. The timing is unfortunate but that's the way the cookie crumbles.

The Practice:

I started with reading the poem "It Was Early" from Mary Oliver's book Evidence.

Around mid-morning I went out to The Deck (with Echo) to practice.

I began with a full round of The 10+ focused on being consistent and developing more strength, flexibility and agility. I've successfully added the Dragons Back, Ba-Ji as well as The Three Swings and Song Gong. I'm currently at the limit of my level and don't foresee adding anything else for a while. At the 1/2 point I came inside to do a few 'spiral down to the floor and spiral up from the floor to a standing position.

Next I did a full Healing Qigong and a brief Standing PT (Post Training)

Next I did Changes 1-4 (both sides) of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Mother (animal) Palms focused on the correct sequence and direction of postures. I had a glitch on the right side of #3 (the bear). 

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim (#6) focused on applications and using quality basics with more pop and focus on my punches.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata focused on mobility and agility and mobility. I'm finding this Kata particularly challenging as I age. It's all the low Zen Dashi and the jumps in the progressive steps and flying front kicks. After I hurt my knee skiing in 1998 I haven't been doing any jumping or running, it's too much shock for my knee.

Next I did a round of Low Family Staff focused on correct sequence and shoulder health.

I finished by coming inside to journal my practice here in this blog.

Email Sifu for private lessons

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 68 at the house. It's forecast to be another hot one!

The Practice:

Around mid-morning I went out on The Deck with Echo to practice.

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health; Strength, flexibility, coordination and relaxed single leg balance.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I focused on feeling Jin forming in my fingers. I monitored Jin (Soong Jin) down from my Dan Tien & hips and is rooted in my feet > (develops in my) legs > (directed by my) waist > (flows up my) spine > (is formed in) fingers

Next I did a round (both sides) of Yin Baguazhang's 8 Palms Set. I realized that yesterday I was supposed to do Changes 1-4 of this set but I mistakenly  did a round of Cheng Style 8 Mother (animal) Palms instead. I've yet to get through an entire rotation of Baguazhang and Weapons Forms without inadvertently doing the wrong form for the sequence that I have worked out. FYI - It's still a work in progress. I have to admit that I'm at capacity and I don't think I'll be able to add anything else and still be able to discipline my self to do all of it daily. Luckily I operate almost entirely on self-discipline.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata (#5) focused on agility and mobility. I usually do an Arnis Anyo first but today I did a reverse order. The most important aspect is to do these forms regularly, not the order I do them in. The order just helps to organize and keep me on track.

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima (#5) focused on correct sequence and direction of postures, applications and using good quality basics throughout.

Next I did a round of Monkey Staff focused on 'Change Step'. Since I did this form on The Deck I needed to conserve space. I mostly monitored the sequence, looking for the health benefits of the form. I need to use a heavier Staff to acquire some of the health benefits.

I finished with Healing Qigong and coming back inside where it's much cooler to journal today's practice here in this blog.

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online

Tuesday Practice @ The Studio

 

The Details:

It's 67 at the house. It's forecast to be in the 90's later today....and humid! The air quality is low too!!

I plan on going into town to teach the 8:30 am Taiji and Qigong class. I hope I get a few students to show up. So far I've received two no shows because of health and the heat/humidity makes it difficult to breath.

The Practice:

I dropped off birthday gifts for Travis and put a bag of trash in the dumpster at The Studio.

After I unlocked the doors and opened the windows and started the fans I started my practice with changes 1-4 (both sides) of Cheng Style Baguazahang 8 Mother (animal) Set.

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat (#4) tuned into correct sequence, quality basics, and applications.

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata focused on consistency and overall health.

Well it took a decade but I didn't have a single student show up. I did have two students reach out and let me know that they would not be able to make it to class. Practicing on my own reminded me about how it was back in the 1970's when I first started teaching. Back then I had to come to grips with what I would do if nobody showed up for class. The answer I came up with is simply to do my own practice. I guess I've come full circle? 

Next I did a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I monitored Jin moving down and up the 9 Zig Zag Path through the Jin-Lu

Next I did a round of Taiji Staff (both sides) using my original maple staff. I focused on correct sequence in the correct direction. I tuned into lower stances, especially  the 'Tiger Crouches".

Next I reviewed Taiji 13 Spear. I did fine with #1 but got a bit confused during #2 and even more confused when I got to #3.

I focused mostly on consistency. I realize that I really need at least one regular practice partner to seriously approach The Taiji 13 Spear Form.

I finished by closing up a long with a little triaging of books and weapons.

Private Lessons with Sifu Roy

Monday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 70 at the house. It's forecast to be in the 90's later today. I've got a 8:30 video meeting with Jeff.

The Practice:

I started my practice on The Deck with Echo assisting. I did a full round of The 10+ tuned into being consistent. I did a brief Warm Up yesterday so I was determined to do a FULL round this morning. It took disciplining myself to not over think the set ....but to just do them even if it's a bit less quality than I'm capable of. 

It got too hot on the Deck so I moved to my main practice area to finish my practice.

Once I got I did a Round (left side) reciting The Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I stayed focused on having a light energy at my crown and breathing in and out through my nose; Slow, Fine, Even and Soft.

Next I did Changes 5-8 (both sides) of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms focused on relaxed balance when doing the 'Kick Ups' and looking behind during "Hide The Flowers Beneath the Leaves'

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo tuned into applications, quality basics and correct sequencing and direction of postures.

Next I did a round of Seiunching Kata focused on correct sequence, postures and using quality basics and stances throughout the Kata.

Next I did a round of Taiji Dao using a metal broadsword that I had brought from The Studio recently.

Next I did a round of Pa-Kua Knife as much as I could remember. I'm having more than one glitch on the sequence starting about 1/2 way through. I'll see if Jeff is keeping it up.

I finished with Healing Qigong as I was returning to the house to journal today's practice in this blog.

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online

Grand Master Liu Yun Chiao - Chi Kung (Qigong)

Sunday Practice

The Details:

It's 65 at the house and raining. It's forecast to be a bonafide rainy day!

The Practice:

I went out to my main practice area around mid-morning. At first it was just cool, a bit windy with a light rain. I started with a round of The 10+ focused on consistency. I did a brief warm up yesterday so I disciplined myself to do the whole thing today. I started with shorts and light long sleeved top and about 1/2 through the 10+ I decided to come in and put long pants, a warmer top and my GorTex Rain coat on and I was glad to did. I finished up the round of The 10+ as it started to rain harder and harder. I was cozy in my rain coat, hat and gloves so I stayed outside.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I focused on developing a profound connection to nature and cultivating the serenity and calmness of the forest all around me. 

Next I did a round (both sides) of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Set reciting the names of the postures throughout the Set. NOTE: I'm not sure if the names I used are all accurate but it's something! (I took some of the names from the 2nd Set; Yin 8 Palms Set.)

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa tuned into correct sequence, quality basics and applications.

Next I did a round of Naihanchi Kata focused on the changes I've made to this Kata and adding more focus and pop throughout the Kata.

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian using Mom's Wooden Jian. I recited the names of the postures throughout the Form.

I finished with Healing Qigong before returning to the house to journal today's practice here in this blog.

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online

Saturday Practice

 The Detail:

It's a cool 63 at the house. It's forecast to be another beautiful day.

"Only I can change my life, 

No one can do it for me."

The Practice:

I started with a full Warm Up on The Deck.  I did the first half of Sifu Ray's Warm Up's (upper body) then I segued to the second half (lower body) of The 10+.I focused on overall health and consistency.

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 feeling Jin going down and up the 9 Zig Zag Path through the Jin-Lu.

Next I did Yin/Yang Figure 8 Walking from Cheng Style Baguazhang. I focused on which foot starts on the outer circle and which foot either Swing Steps or Hook Steps to the inner circles and monitoring 4 steps in each of the 4 patterns, along with monitoring the transition from side to side while doing the Yin/Yang Walking, for coordination and opening and closing the various Kua's.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa tuned into fully extension adding more focus and pop to my punches and kicks.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata focused on the overall quality of my techniques. 

Next I did a round of Taiji Cane (right side) focused on light body during the progressive steppings.

I finished with Healing Qigong

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online

Difficult becomes easy with practice!

 

"All things are difficult before they are easy"

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 70 at the house. It's forecast to be in the 90's later today.

The Practice:

I went out on The Deck around mid-morning to practice with my trusty practice partner Echo.

I started with a full round of The 10+ adjusting the Ba-Ji to be safer for my knees. I was tuned into being consistent and not to overthink Doing It! Just DO IT!! Don't think about doing it. IMHO As soon as the inner dialogue starts making excuses....Immediately start!.

Next I went out to my main practice spot and did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I tuned into the reverse peristaltic action from contracting and relaxing the muscles in the legs. 

Next I did a round (both sides) of Cheng Style Baguazhang "Old 8 Palms". I tuned into Mud-Wading Step and Lion Walk as well as consciously relaxing my shoulders throughout the Set.

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo focused on full extension and more focus (Pop) in my punches and kicks.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata tuned into Abdominal Breathing and connecting my breath to my strikes. I also monitored the 'quality' of my dynamic tension.

Next I did a round of Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's 1-4 without a weapon, I used my right hand in 'sword hand' ala Taiji Jian Form.

I finished with Healing Qigong before returning to the house to journal today's practice in this blog.

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online

Thursday Practice

 The Details:

It's 65 at the house. It's forecast to be hotter today. I've got dinner plans with Travis this evening and grocery shopping and lawn mowing later this morning.

The Practice:

After getting back home and unloading the groceries I had a bite to eat and then went out to mow the paths before it got too hot.

Around 11 I went out to my main practice area and started with a round of Taiji Double Dao using my wooden broadswords. I mainly focused on shoulder health and consistency. It was challenging to even start my practice. 

Next I did a brief Warm Up using the first few of The 10 focused on consistency and health.

Next I did a round of Anyo Pito (#7) focused on correct sequence and direction of postures.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata (#7) monitoring full extension when punching and kicking.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I

I finished with Healing Qigong before returning to the house to journal today's practice here in this blog.

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 59 at the house. I've had some email back and forth with Jeff this morning about the glitch at the bank. We are scheduled to do the crash boat for the Sunfish Races this evening.

The Practice:

I went out to practice on The Deck with my trusty practice partner Echo around mid-morning.

I started with a full round of The 10+ modifying the Ba-Ji because I think going deep in the Cross Leg Stance bothered my knees. 

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting my version of The Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I mostly focused on consistency and the overall health benefits of daily Rounds.

Next I did a round of Changes (both sides) 1-4 of Cheng Style Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Palms focused on the order I'm going to be doing these on. I have today as day #6.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim (#6) attempting to get all my forms on a set schedule. 8 days and 8 forms.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata (#6) focused on agility and mobility. This is a challenging form to practice after 70!

Next I did a round of Taiji Double Dao  (#6) using my wooden broadswords focused on shoulder health.

I ended with Healing Qigong and returning inside to journal today's practice here in this blog.

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online

.

Tuesday Practice @ The Studio

 

The Details:

It's a cool 54 at the house. Echo escaped late last night (it was getting dark), luckily he came back on his own. I suspect it was the promise of cookie's & greenie's and oh yeah.....it was getting dark, oh and those deer are bigger the closer you get to them. He was still dragging his long red lead. Oy!

The Practice:

Once I got to The Studio and unlocked the doors I started with Changes 5-8 (both sides) of Cheng Style Baguazhang's 8 Mother (Animal) Set. I focused on correct posture in the correct place on the circle.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim (#6) focused on applications, sequence and agility/mobility.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata tuned into agility, mobility, stretch and consistency.

Next I did a round of Low Family Staff tuned into shoulder health when circling the Staff around my head.

I ended with Healing Qigong.

When Nancy came in I switched gears and we started to discuss the topic (principle) of the day. I talking about 'investing in loss'. The principles I talked about today were 1. Light energy at the crown of the head 2. "Neither Hollow nor Projection". I also discussed the definition of Gong Fu = 1. Time 2. Effort 3. Patience.leading to Correct Thinking.

Afterwards we did a brief warm up using the first three movements from The 10+ tuned into separating the red from the white tissue.

Next we did a revies of 1-6 of The Dance we worked on vertical push-hands, stationary and walking as well as the beginning of Part VII.

Next we did a Round (right side) individually monitoring a specific mental focus of our own choice, returning to monitoring that particlar principle as needed. Being sure to be monitoring from a meditative point of view.

We ended with Healing Qigong

I'm journaling today's practice after lunch. 

Email Sifu for private lessons in person of online

Monday Practice

 The Details:

It's 63 at the house. I've got a 8:30 video meeting with Jeff this morning. The Lynde's Well Drilling folks are coming later this morning to text our well water. I'm going to drive to Colrain for a guitar lesson. 

The Practice:

I did a full round of The 10+ on The Deck. I focused on consistency and overall health. I adjust the Ba-Ji because I felt my right knee yesterday when I was training with Jeff. I think I was going too low in the Cross Leg Stance. I will continue to adjust and monitor my knees.

The water guys showed up late so I moved my guitar lesson to 1 pm and drove to Colrain right after the water guy's left.

I didn't get back home until about 3 and I realized I hadn't eaten lunch and I hadn't done a Round yet today. Believe me when I tell you that I didn't really feel like it. Oy! So....I had a little lunch and did a Round (left side) focused on 'getting it in'. I recited the Taiji Classics during Part I. 

I finished with Healing Qigong

Email Sifu for private lessons in person or online