Las Vegas back Yard Tai Chi Practice

I practiced for about an hour yesterday in my backyard which I videotaped. I am running about 9 minutes each time i do the form. I did it 5 times. The grass is different to practice on as opposed to tile or carpet. I got the sense of feeling more grounded, as if the earth was pulling me down. There were of course a lot of ambient noise that I was not able to control such as a truck passing by, the sound of leaves on the trees, kids playing in another part of the neighborhood. Even the sound of the grass under my feet didn’t go unnoticed. The air quality is probably better in my backyard than the stagnant air practicing inside. Here are some tips that i have to keep in mind while practicing that I hope will help me for future practice. I just have to keep these in mind until it becomes natural for me.

– no t-stance. keep the foot raised and slowly pass it through to the step.

– keep in mind your line principle.

– stretch the form out to 7-10 min. slow it down

– don’t rest the foot on the leg

– focus on the breath

– practice emptiness and relax.

Tai Chi practice at Sunset Park

It was such a nice day that I had to practice outdoors. Even though I am feeling sick, I still had a little bit of energy to practice. I know up to the second white crane cools his wings. I didn’t see any white cranes at the park but there were a lot of geese, ducks, pigeons, mallards… oh and people with their dogs.

The second crane cools his wings.

I’m that much closer to completing the Yang 48 form. The second crane cools his wings is number 44. There’s so much more work however. My kicks doesn’t really “kick” and my balance, well let’s just say I don’t have any. At one point in my practice tonight with Sifu, I had to hold on to the wall. I also notice that my pelvis was making a funny clicking sound every time I step out. I should get some flax-seed oil to lubricate the old joints. Sifu also said that I need to slow it down. He timed me and I’m running about two and a half to three minutes. I should be stretching out the form to about seven to ten minutes.  I will work on all this before the next class.

I’m feeling a bit ill today. I had a great massage last night.  Logan the masseuse went deep to release some toxins. I failed to flush it out with good water and instead went straight to bed. I woke this morning feeling like my body was trying to fight a cold or flu.

Instead of practicing tonight, I think I will just go to bed after this blog.

Here’s what I need now. I’m kinda running low on…

Chi also comes in a bottle.

35 out of 48

Last nights practice. Here are the names of the moves for Tai Chi Chuan Yang 48 Form

 Opening – Gather Chi from Heavens – Step out and connect to the Earth

 1. Raise right arm – turn right – embrace moon

2. Wild horse parts his mane – left

3. Ward off (right); yield; expand press; yield roll back; push

4. Redirect – Single whip (left)

5. Play the pipaw (right press – right heel stance)

6. Right foot step in; Embrace the moon-left hand on top

7. White crane cools his wings (right side)

8. Brush knee and push – 3 x’s (right side first)

9. Play the pipaw (left press – left heel stance)

10. Press down left side; back fist with right hand; side sweep with right foot

11. Snake sticks out tongue (left hand jab)

12. Punch with right – Wipe off

13. Apparent close up

14. Embrace moon – left hand on top, pivot right, Slanting flying (right side)

15. Pivot left-draw circle, Block left, Fist under elbow’

16. Small punch to ribs

17. Repulse the Monkey – (right side 1st) 2 x’s (turn right) 

18. Embrace the moon left hand on top, Pivot right ­ switch hands, left hand on top – (Lion turns the ball)

19. Fair lady works the shuttle – left, Fair lady works the shuttle right

20. Wild horse parts his mane – 2 x’s (left 1st)

21. Wave hands like clouds – 3 x’s

22. Single whip – left press

23. High pat on the horse’s head

24. Step left-circle right palms down-shift left-palms up,

then right palms down, Separation of the right foot (kick), wipe down

25. Golden wind between the ears

26. Open up, Circle arms, Separation of the left (kick)

27. Step around front with left foot – pivot turn, Kick with sole – right foot

28. Step back with right foot, Block right, brush left, dive for the needle

29. Step forward left foot – twist-fan to the back

30. Chop with right fist-left hand on hip

31. Draw right foot in, right fist to left hip, Sweep right foot, back fist right hand, chop with left

32. Government cross over

33. Circle arms, front kick (right leg)

34. Step back (left foot cat stance), wipe down, (Tiger) Hit high & low -left hand high, yield

35. Pivot right, cat stance right, wipe down

The Last Airbender Movie

Just got done watching Avatar: The Last Airbender. I wanted to watch it more for its martial arts scenes than anything else. The concept of harnessing the powers of the  natural elements: earth, water, air and fire are also very appealing. I just thought the story line was a bit hockey, but then again I have to remember that Nickelodeon produced this movie to target those born from 1995 and up. The special effects were pretty amazing. Since I am getting more involved Taoist philosophy, it was evident that this movie was influenced by some of its traditions. The movie made reference to Chi in several scenes, there were the spiritual Yin and Yang fishes, the mythical dragon in the spiritual world and most evident were the martial arts. The creators used Baguazhang for Airbending, Hung Gar for Earthbending, Northern Shaolin for Firebending, and Tai Chi for Waterbending. The movie ended with a hook to look out for a sequel. Next time I will be watching on the big screen for I’m sure it will be big effects, big sound and more chi working that only should be viewed in the theater.

Saturday tai chi in balboa park

Biking around Balboa park I came across a couple of guys doing Tai Chi. I introduced myself after their practice. Jonathan, the guy in the white shirt said that this is his class and that one other person did not show up. He was teaching a very active Yang style. His class is every Saturday at 9 AM in Balboa Park.

Practicing Tai Chi at Balboa Park

There is nothing like practicing in a beautiful lush serene park while there is construction going on across the street. It really adds to that zen effect.

Chai tea tai chi

Feeling good this morning after I had another private with Sifu Jc last night. He said I’m about 75% done with the Yang 48 form. He said it should be another 3 privates before completing the entire form. That’s when the real work begins. Sifu explained to me the great lineage of the Lohan School of Shaolin and how their style differs from the forms that are taught in China today. Evidently when China turned communist all the forms had to be uniform as there were too many deviations. Fortunately the Lohan school preserves the pre communist martial arts forms as taught by Dashi Steven Baugh. We are on our way to San Diego for a weekend getaway. Just stopped in Starbucks for some tea. I wanted to order a tai chi latte but all they had was chai tea latte.

Beginning Tai Chi Practice

Hanalei Tai Chi