Friday Practice - Day #5 in the rotation

 

The Details:

It's 66 at the house. I cancelled a 10:45 haircut this morning and let Jean know that I'm in quarantine, because Ginnie has a temperature and we think she has the flu. She took a Covid test yesterday and it was negative. I haven't decided if I'm going into The Studio tomorrow morning. I've been in quarantine since Tuesday evening. No music on Thursday, no haircut today and no visit with Paul and Jean this week.

The Practice:

I started on The Deck with my trusty practice partner Echo with a full round of The 10+

I tuned into feeling a stretch in my fascia and opening and closing my Kua as well as overall health and well being.

I've been using 20 lbs dumbbells when I do #8 and for bicep curls. I use the 25lbs for tricep extensions.

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 Counter Balancing and feeling Jin moving down and up the 9 Zig Zag Path through the Jin Lu.

Next I did a round of The 21 (Taiji Qigong) tuned into correct sequence and feeling my 'channels' opening.

Next I did Changes 5-8 (both sides) of the Cheng style  Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Set. Focused on the overall quality of my postures. I used Mud-Wading Step throughout the set.

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima tuned into proper sequence and applications.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata focused on agility and mobility. 

Next I did a round of Monkey Staff tuned into the flow and techniques in this form.

Next I did a review of Staff Basics.

I finished with Healing Qigong and returning to the house to journal today's practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu

Thursday Practice - Day #4 in the rotation -

 

The Details:

It's 62 at the house. Ginnie's running a fever (102.7 last night). Out of an abundance of caution, I'm going to cancel the music in The Barn this afternoon.

The Practice:

I started on The Deck with Echo in tow with a full round of The 10+ I focused on getting them all in even though this might have been a brief warm up day....Still, for these special exercises to work as medication I realize that they must be done regularly...preferably daily!

Next I moved to my main training area to do a Round (right side) reciting my version of the Taiji Classics during Part I. I tuned into Counter Balancing throughout the Round.

Next I did a round of The 21 (Taiji Qigong). I primarily focused on the correct sequence especially after the 'push the hands to the side like moving a mountain' just before 'stimulate the triple warmer'

Next I did a brief Standing and Healing Qigong Session.

Next I did Changes 1-4 (both sides) of Cheng style Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Set. I focused on using Mud-Wading Step with three circles in each direction at the beginning of the Set.

Next I did a round of Anyo Apat focused on the correct sequence and applications.

Next I did a round of Wansu Kata focused on the correct sequence and the timing of my stance and strikes.

Next I did a round of Taiji Staff (both sides) focused on stance work.

I returned to the house to journal today's practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu

Wednesday Practice - Day #3 in the rotation -

 

The Details:

It's 56 at the house. I have a 9 am Wellness Visit with Dr. Van Dyck in Brattleboro. I think we are going to play music in The Barn from 2-4 this afternoon but I haven't had confirmation from the guys yet. Oopsie! The guys had it down for Thursday 2-4 this week. So there it is...Thursday afternoon this week.

The Practice:

I started on The Deck with Echo. I did a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency and overall health.

Next I went out to my main training area and did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I remained focused on Counter Balancing throughout the Round.

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

Next I did a round of Wild Goose Qigong focused on the correct sequence and feeling 1. Opening the energy channel 2. Releasing turbide Qi 3. Cultivating Qi 4. Balancing Qi in the body

Next I did Changes 5-8 (both sides) of Yin style 8 Linking Palms Set. I focused on the overall quality of my stances, stepping and postures.

Next I did a round of Anyo Tatlo focused on correct sequence and applications.

Next I did a round of Seiuchin Kata tuned into deeper Stances, flow using quality basics.

Next I did a round of Taiji Dao using a wooden broadsword. I focused on the timing of my steps and strikes.

Next I did a round of Pa-Kua Knife. I'm tuned into correct sequence. I haven't been able to remember the sequence, yet! Today was as close as I've come. It's interesting (to me) to explore my short and long term memory as I try to remember this form. 

I returned to the house for lunch and to journal today's practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu

Advance Single Sinawali with Empty Hand Application with Remy Presas

Semi Advance Disarming Grandmaster Remy A. Presas

Modern Arnis Disarms Remy Presas

Tuesday Practice - Day #2 in the rotation

 

The Details:

It's   at the house. I have a 9 am Doctors visit in Brattleboro for my yearly Wellness Visit. It's a Pontoon day, so we need to prepare the house for them. Oppsie! I went up to only find out my appointment is tomorrow at 9! OY!!

Peter and Susan are coming for a visit around noon.

The Practice:

It's 58 at the house. After driving up to Brattleboro VT I came back and went out to my main practice area while the Ponton's were inside cleaning.

I started with a full round of The 10+. I mostly focused on practicing this set consistently whether I feel like it or not! I once again confused the order of the Dragons Back but ended up doing it after #8 instead of #7. Hmmm! Get's thinking about the sequence of this new stuff. I'll continue to try and use the original order if for no other reason than cognition.

Next I did a Round (right side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Part I. I remained focused on Counter Balancing.

Next I did a brief Standing (PT) and Healing Qigong.

Next I did Changes 1-4 (both sides) of Yin style Baguazhang 8 Linking Palms Set using Lion Stepping and tuned into 'looking behind' like a dog chasing it's own tail.

Next I did a round of Anyo Dalawa tuned into the quality of my postures and correct sequence.

Next I did a round of Nihanchi Kata focused on the changes that I've made to that Kata.

Next I did a round of Taiji Jian Form using the wooden sword that David Rahael made for me a few years ago (15-20?) I recited the names of the postures throughout the Form and focused my eyes on the tip of the sword.

I then returned to the house to journal today's practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu

Monday Practice - Day 8, 829 - Day #1 in the rotation

 

The Details:

It's 58 at the house. We went to SYC for the Labor Day Dinner last evening. It's Monday and I have a 8:30 video meeting with Jeff. We're going over to Doug and Kay's this afternoon, to see them and their newly renovated home.

The Practice:

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

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on the exact sequence; The Dragons Back after #7 and Ba Shi after #8. Last week I worked on the original sequence of The 10 Exercises, this week I'm working on the + part of them.

Next I did a Round (right side) focused on Counter Balancing with arm or elbow at every intersection.

Next I did Healing Qigong

I also focused on not overthinking but 'feeling' instead.

Next I did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang Yin/Yang Walking. I focused on the 8 day training cycle and using the correct sequence. Today is Day #1 in my training sequence. I used Lion Stepping throughout the set.

Next I did a round of Anyo Isa focused on the quality of my basics (proper extension and more focus and pop) and flow.

Next I did a round of Seisan Kata tuned into the health aspect of this Kata.

Next I did a round of Taiji Cane Form (both sides) I tuned into the 'round the heads' for my shoulders and using ground propagated force throughout.

I returned to the house to journal today's practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu

Sunday Practice

 The Details:

It's 51 at the house. I have a relaxing morning and then dinner at SYC late this afternoon/evening.

The Practice:

I started the day with acoustic guitar practice. It's been a journey that I thought would come easier and faster but alas it is what it is. The most difficult aspect of acquiring the finger style guitar skills (or any skills in any endeavor) is the need to practice consistently over and extended period of time; perseverance is the word for that. 

I started on The Deck with Echo in tow with a full round of The 10+ I continue to adjust and work on the sequence and how much of each discreet exercise to do. 

Next I went out to my main training area and did a Round (left side) I recited my version of The Taiji Classics to adjust my thinking and work on the mind set for the Round. I stayed focused on feeling my feet realizing the at my age I need substantially more pressure on my feet to get the same amount of information to my brain. I'm ready that by the time one is 80 it take 75% more pressure to get the same amount of information to the brain in comparison to a 20 year old.

Next I did a Standing (PT) session focused on alignment and whole body Soong

Next I did Healing Qigong

Next I did a full round of Cheng style Baguazhang Old 8 Palm Set' (both sides) using Mud-Wading Step throughout. I developed a profound connection to nature's Qi.

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo focused on using quality basics and the double Backfist sequences.

Next I did a round of Sanchin Kata focused on connecting my breath (abdominal) to my strikes and the quality of my dynamic tension.

Next I did a round of my Arnis Cane Warm Ups. Focused on maintaining my weapons skills.

Next I did a round of all 4 Modern Arnis Cane Anyo's (both sides) I was finally able to make it through #4 on the left side. Yay!

I returned to the house to journal today's practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu

WANG SHU CHIN Documentary

Saturday Practice @ The Studio

 

The Details:

It's a cool 50 at the house. I'm going to meet Jeff at The Studio at 7:15 this morning and then teach the 8:00 Taiji class. After class I'm going to drive down to Hatfield to visit with Paul and Jean.

The Practice:

The theme for today's class is going to 'when to stop'; shifting, twisting, turning, etc. 

Jeff and I started with the push-hands drill that uses split to elbow feed followed by pull across to push.

Next we did 6 count drill with a cane followed by 8 count then 10 count and ending with 12 count with a some variations and a little Tapi Tapi.

Once class formed I mentioned the theme for the day and used the middle of The 21 to illustrate the principle.

Next we did a full round of The 10 Exercises with just a little explanation. I mentioned how important it is to memorize the sequence of these exercises. 

Next we did up to Press with the 1, 2, 3 Method meant to help the beginners practice the solos form before they memorize the entire sequence

Next we split up into two groups 1. Those the know the sequence 2. Those that are are still working on acquiring the sequence. 

We ended with Healing Qigong

Next I drove down to visit with Paul and Jean.

I did very little training with Paul, but I did opening and closing the hands, turn Palm up then down and thumb to the fingers. 

Next I did 3 seated round of Part I with Paul.

I ordered lunch from the China Gourmet

Next I came home to have lunch then journal todays practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu

Friday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 61 at the house. I hit a deer coming home from dinner with Travis last night. The deer jumped out right in front of me. I did a full ABS stop and the deer jumped over the guardrail. The Lexus didn't do so well, the deer smashed the drivers side headlight. Ugh! That won't be cheap to fix. I'll be talking to Tommy and Ozzie's later this morning.

The Practice:

After driving to town to have Tommy take a look at the damage done to our Lexus after hitting the deer last evening and then dealing with Rist Insurance, I went out on The Deck to practice.

I started with a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency. I intend to do this set daily. I feel that if I don't do them I'm the only one that looses out on the myriad of health benefits.

Next I did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II.

Next I did a brief Standing (PT) and Healing Qigong.

Next I did a round of Anyo Walo focused on using quality basics in the correct sequence and direction.

Next I did a round of Sunsu Kata focused on the correct sequence. I had a glitch at the end but stayed with it and got it resolved.

Next I did a round of Taiji Double Dao focused on shoulder health during the round the head postures. 

I've realized that I didn't do todays Baguazhang so I'll be going out to take care of that.

On my schedule is Yin style Baguazhang 8 Palms Set Changes 5-8 (both sides)

I just went out to my main practice area and did Changes 5-8 using Lion Walking and reciting the names of the postures when I could. I've been having a challenging time getting the 5 Sets in the weekly sequence. It seems that confuse the order or like today just forget to do them altogether. Oy! 

One of my focuses is to retain and develop short and long term memory. Frankly it's tougher in your 70's...Who would have thunk? 

Private Lessons with Sifu

Thursday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 50 at the house. It got down to 48 overnight. Well it's Labor Day weekend so it's time!

I've got fasting blood work in Brattleboro this morning in preparation for my Wellness visit next week.

I plan on baking cookies later this morning and I've got a dental cleaning at Bagle's at 3 this afternoon and then supper with Travis at 6:30. Busy day!

The Practice:

After getting back from my fasting blood draw I went out to The Deck with Echo

Once I got settled I did a full round of The 10+ focused on consistency. I've added enough extra exercises (the + part) that I'm now in a situation that if I tried to add anything else it would be the straw that breaks the camels back. I do believe if I'm able to tolerate the approach to the practice that every single exercises will help me to function and stay mobile for as long as possible. I realize that there will be and end date, I'm just trying to prolong my ability to stay mobile. 

Next I went out to my main training area and did a Round (right side). I recited (out loud) the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II. I remained focused on the affect that the Taiji Solo Form has on my cognition and memory.

Next I did a round of Changes 1-4 (both sides) of Yin Style Baguazhang 8 Palms. I recited the names of the postures throughout and also focused on the overall quality of my Lion Walking and posture during the Changes.

Next I did a round of Anyo Anim focused on applications and sequence.

Next I did a round of Kusanku Kata focused on agility and mobility. I went as deep as I could during the Zen Dashi sequences.

Next I did a round of Low Family Staff tuned into the correct sequence and the 'round the head' sequences for my shoulder health.

I strived to use a light body and to get some air time during the Flying Front Kick and whenever appropriate. 

I returned to the house to journal today's practice

Private Lessons with Sifu

Wednesday Practice

 

The Details:

It's 57 at the house. I've got the guys coming to play music in The Barn from 2-4 this afternoon, then an early supper so that I can have fasting blood work drawn tomorrow morning for my up coming Wellness visit with Dr. Van Dyck. 

The Practice:

I started with a full round of The 10+ on The Deck with my trusty practice partner Echo. I focused on the sequence that I'm developing to the original 10 Exercises. My goal is functional exercises and keeping mobile for as long as I can. The 10+ are an excellent source of Functional Exercise. If you don't know them or practice them daily I'm encouraging you to learn and do them. That having been said the very best exercise is "The One You Will Do" period. If it's "The Best Exercise"  and you don't DO IT, what good is it?

Next I went out to the newly trimmed Middle Field and did a Round (left side) reciting the Taiji Classics during Parts I & II I tuned into developing a profound connection to nature's Qi.

Next I went to my main practice area and did a round of Cheng style Baguazhang 8 Mother (Animal) Set Changes 5-8 (both sides). I flushed out #8 (Monkey Palm) and the whole set is feeling better and better since I'm added Baguazhang to my 8 day rotation. (Today is Day #5)

Next I did a round of Anyo Lima focused on basics, flow and applications.

Next I did a round of Chinto Kata tuned in mobility, agility and overall health.

Next I did a round of Monkey Staff tuned into correct sequence and the quality of my stance work.

I finished with Healing Qigong while I returned to the house to journal today's practice.

Private Lessons with Sifu