Tai Chi update

[karohemd]

After spending three lessons on it, I think we've finally nailed Parting Wild Horse's Mane and the really hard one, Fair Lady Works at the Shuttles and then we started on Golden Cock Stands on One Leg, which has a really knee-twisting move on the start. Good thing that my knees have become stronger since starting this whole thing...
The group is still the same size and I think it'll remain this size through the end. There's only a few bits to go and we're through. Once. Of many many times. After we've leaned the set, the real work starts.

I have so much to learn but I'm surprised that I have the will to do it and not even thought of giving up once. That's rare with me when it comes to physical activity. I''m really proud of myself

Comments

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

Well done grasshopper :)

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Cheers! :o)

[lsur.livejournal.com]

Be careful of your knees! Despite being a complex joint, they are not really meant to bend sideways or whatever. I've found it a typical situation in various martial arts, the enthusiastic teacher/senior student who insists that your knees should bend 90 degrees forwards the way theirs do.

btw, what's a 'tor-yu' ???

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

I'm well aware of the knee issue and our instructor is being careful that we move correctly.

A tor-yu is a foundation excercise (back leg at 45 degrees, front leg out straight, then you move back and forwards, alternating between bending and straightening the legs while turning to square up with the bend leg).
Er, remind me when I next see you, it's easier to show than to explain.

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

Am I a terrible person for finding it difficult to keep a straight face when I see the names of these positions?

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, we can't keep a straight face, either. ;o)

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Tai Chi is like that, it gets to you after a while :)
I'm back to it next week, but I suspect that Snake Creeps Down is still right out.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

This is the move I'm dreading and we're not far off...

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes - Snake Creeps down leads into Golden Rooster, pat horse high, so you're about at the right point to be doing that - assuming the form you're doing is similar to mine.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

That's right, although we do three Monkeys after Golden Rooster (or cock).

Ah, I just realised Snake Creeps Down (our translation is "Creeping Low like a Snake") is the knee twisting move I mentioned, just a very basic one without going down so far (for which I'm glad for the time being). The instructor hasn't told us the names yet.

This (http://www.runningdogfilms.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/108/) is our sequence.

BTW, are you coming up for Cambridge Requiem tomorrow?

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

No, I'm at SWM this weekend.

I do the Chi'eng man Cheng short form - pretty much identical moves, different order and different names.

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. What's SWM?

The difference between the forms is interesting. Found the moves here (http://www.swarb.freeuk.com/TaiChiForm.html). Most of the principles are the same, though.
I'm sure the Chinese names are the same, just different translations.
You need to show me some bits when we meet next (my bday/Easter, I guess?)

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

SWM - My parents :)

When is your birthday? I won't be about at easter for certain.
Are you still up for the proposed Manchester trip the weekend of the 19th March?

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

Duh, of course.

My birthday is on Easter Monday which is obviously very handy for having an extended party. Too bad you won't be able to make it.

Hm, I need to check, it might clash with Cambridge Requiem now and I don't want to abandon that yet and help get it started properly. Tonight was good but it still needs a little work.

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

It's actually looking rather likely that I won't be able to make the manchester trip due to work commitments. Irritating, but what can one do?

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

In that case, we should postpone the trip, robinbloke is now playing again, as well.