Sifu's final Training Journal for April 4.30.12

NOTE:
This is the last day of April 2012 so it will also be my last published personal Training Journal (30 of them!) I do keep one but I will not be publishing it. I do recommend that all of you that are serious about your training write things down....it's important!!
I think the Training Journals worked out pretty good as a Theme of the Month, but will admit that it was a bit too difficult and demanding for some students. Some didn't participate at all, but others rose to the occasion. I'm going to make May's Theme easier for everyone....no writing involved.
Thanks to all of you that so readily participated and to those of  you that participated reluctantly, either way, I've really enjoyed reading them;^)
By the way if you want keep it up ......go for it!!


My final Training Journal for April:

Started the day off tired....too busy the past two week ends!

- Went into town to the Y early, 30 min elliptical cardio conditioning, full nautilus with gravitron, stretching, 20 min walk to Beacon Field, round of tai chi, standing meditation, round of second yin fu bagua zhang set changes 1-8, arnis form 8, sunsu, 20 min walk back to car....good work out!

- 1 1/2 hours study on Lightroom program and photo printer interface.....ouch!

- 40 min drum set practice...good one!!

- 1 hour reading/study

- Worked on next months Theme of the Month........Think I've got it!!

Sifu's Training Journal - Sunday 4.29.12

- Started the day off with 45 min walk with single arnis stick, qigong warm up, round of tai chi (left side)

- Travel to Boston area for family funeral

- Back home for another 45 min walk with the crew

Exhausted....to bed early

Sifu's Training Journal - Saturday 4.28.12

- Started the day off working on the WTCD material and marketing....lot's of buzz this year;^)

- Went into the Studio early to check if anyone came to regular classes and/or forgot...Sensei Kratz beat me to it!

-Arrived at Beacon Field about 9:30, Phil was already there and had set up a table for Dial/Self and was practicing, I got myself organized and started greeting folks as they arrived.

- Awesome showing this year!!! Right around 75 people at the height of it - Really great energy throughout!! -

- Many thanks to all of you that made this event such a success this year...'Specially Phil and Angus for all the help get the BUZZ going on the internet and in the news papers....I guess this marketing stuff really works;^)

- After lunch I worked with a crew of 4 landscapers on our yard (very large yard) clearing trees, dead fall and brush.....then collapsed around 4pm

- I'll be in bed early tonight....but still glowing from WTCD...... what  nice day!!

Sifu's Training Journal - Friday 4.27.12

- A bit tired to start with today...going to be kind to myself;^) After a slow start I went for 45 min walk and brought a single stick to twirl while I walked (love that), qigong warm up and stretch when I got back home, then a round of tai chi (left side)

- An hour or two working on WTCD material, presentation and marketing....getting quite the buzz going this year on the internet....thanks for all the support and help everyone...'specially Phil and Angus

- 45 min drum set and bass guitar practice and recording

- Couple hours of work on Lightroom 4, study with the 'book' and then transferring the new knowledge to the computer....lot's of bells and whistles!

- Another walk...very windy and cold...ready for some warmer weather

Nice evening out with Ginnie....

Sifu's Training Journal - Thursday 4.26.12

- 7:00 am, Started the day off with Read and Janee - the '10', short standing, 15-20 min of bagua zhang, old 8 palms, concentrating on the 'accordion' walk and fatiguing the upper body to locate blocks, followed by very intelligent conversation about our experiences....really great stuff, very advanced!

- Morning tai chi class , no newbies for my free class;^(....oh well! went through the 30 qigong warm ups, bagua circle walking with several palm positions with explanation of the 'walk' and the 'palms', went on the first two walking cranes from Hua Tuo's Animal Frolics, finished with a round of tai chi to the music concentrating on the & of the beat to stop and coordinate the body and mind...excellent round!!

- Walked to the Y for a full round of nautilus, gravitron and stretching

- 20 min walk back to the Studio

- Drum set practice 20 min.

- Read and study

....Feeling a bit pooped....but I'm off for 3 more classes....

- Afternoon youth karate class was well attended and excellent help from Colleen and Scott, I interspersed basics in the '10', worked side kick form and correct partner work (communication skills and attention to partner) in that drill, broke into several groups to work on kata, Skyler led the 'round the room' running etc. ended with short lying meditation....good class!

- Another 5:30pm Thursday class with only Colleen again! I guess the rest of the Staff's too busy to have a private class with me??? This week we were joined by two FREE WTCD newbies, one brand new and Nicole Petrin who trained with me years ago, I brought them through some internal 'basics', the 9 breath exercise, short standing, centering the breath qigong, then Colleen (the awesome!) and Nicole reviewed the first two sections of the solo form and I worked with the newbie on a walking crane drill

- Adult karate class - Colleen assisted, Thomas, Simon Van, Simon Armen, Jack Fox attended, Colleen led through the warm ups, I worked the group through various basic tech with correct 'fa jin' in mind, lot's of detail...the biggest culprit is tension/stiffness and not really working on the skill of fa jin in their basics....NOT and easy project....needs correct mind set when training in order for fa jin skills to mature....the group did well but definitely need work....(FYI the way I can tell is by looking at vertical punching and middle block) ended with free sparring in pairs while I had a conversation with Jack in the office...thought it went well

- 8:30 pm, had nice and thoughtful conversation/communication with Thomas after everyone left....what a great kid!!

Good day ....but I was really tired and jazzed up by the end....these long Thursday's are bit too much for the old man;^) I thank goodness for students like Colleen 'the amazing' on day's like this....don't know what I'd do without her!!! Honestly!!

Sifu's Training Journal - Wednesday 4.25.12

- Started of with a qigong warm up, round of tai chi (left side), 1/2 hour single stick twirling, 45 min walk with the 'crew'

- 1/2 hour drum set practice

- Read and study

- Youth karate class - Sensei led the class, I stretched a bit and assisted

- Tai Chi class, had 3 new beginners, led through a step by step internal practice, then a short warm up,
I continued to work with the newbies and the rest of the group did a guided independent practice, we finished together with the second walking crane

Special treat was Jeff and Veronica's new baby boy Eli and brother Alex came in for a visit!! Very cool....got to hold baby Eli

- Arnis class was Phil and Justin, we reviewed the cane forms and worked on the tai chi cane form, went on to review empty hand form 1-8, then worked on various entrances to tapi tapi and a few tech's too.

Nice day....'specially meeting new baby Eli....Oh and congrats to Phil and Holly too;^)

Sifu's Training Journal - Tuesday 4.24.12

- Started the day off with Bob, Read, Sandy and Mom, worked on double broadsword basics, then the form a few times and then on to the dance with some detail and SD variations in part VI

- Morning tai chi class had 3 new students for the FREE classes, two of them were Marica's students from senior centers (thanks Marcia) - I did an intro I've been preparing with postural alignment, taoist longevity breathing, a 'centering the breath' qigong, went on to the qigong warm ups and finished with a work up to the first walking crane from the animal frolics, did a round to the music with Master Liang counting

- Full nautilus, gravitron and stretching

- 30 min walk in town

- 2 hours drum and bass practice with Ryan

- Read and study

- 15 min of cognition training

 - 45 min walk with paco

- 1/2 hour guitar practice

Sifu's Training Journal - Monday 4.23.12

- Moving a bit slow this morning ...my week end was too busy, not enough time to re-charge!

- A couple of hours work on marketing WTCD

- Went through a  hand weight set for my shoulders, sit ups on the big blue ball, balance board, qigong warm up, a round of tai chi, bagua zhang first yin fu set changes 1-8, arnis anyo 7 and seiuchin kata

- Drum set practice - worked on my shuffle variations, then some Alan Dawson drills and some 'jungle beats'

- Reading and study

- Helped with sound set up and then directed the Valley Homegrown live TV show - interesting group Tony Vacca and his "Impulse Ensemble"

Sifu's Training Journal - Sunday 4.22.12

- Started the day off with a 45 min walk, a round (left side) of tai chi, bagua zhang cheng ting hwa set changes 5-8, arnis form 6 and kusanku, finished off with double stick twirling while walking the circle forward and backward and with progressive stepping and coiled dragons stance work....excellent practice

- Drum clinic in Newington CT 10:30-5pm, Daniel Glass was awesome, great demo and instruction on the evolution of the 'shuffle'....inspiring! Gotta get his book

- Guitar practice 1 hour

Busy but good day....glad it's raining!!

Sifu's Training Journal - Saturday 4.21.12

- Started the day with 20 min cognition training ...was a good session!

- At the Studio did a round of tai chi with group to the music with Master Liang counting...excellent!

- First youth karate class, well attended and excellent help with Sensei and Colleen - I led the '10', split the beginners out after Nihanchi and went through the kata's up 'till chinto, when students finished with their forms they dropped back and worked on SD with Sensei and Colleen.

- Sensei led the second class

- Drum set and guitar practice 1 hour

- 1/2 hour work on Photoshop Lightroom (tough program...very complicated)

- 45 min walk with the crew

Nice day......

Sifu's Training Journal - Friday 4.20.12

- Started the day of at the Y, full nautilus workout and gravitron (made it 3 times this week ...Yay), stretching, 1 hour walk in town

- Drum set practice 1/2 hour

- Qigong warm up and round of tai chi 

- Another walk

- Out to dinner with friends

Good day.....

Sifu's Training Journal - Thursday 4.19.12

- Started the day off with Bob, Read, Sandy and Janee, 25 min of  'mud treading step' bagua walking with the 'old 8 palms', awesome discussion ensued, reviewed the second yin fu set changes 1-6

- Morning tai chi class - 30 qigong warm ups, guided independent study (dance and left side work on form), round of tai chi to the music

- 40 min walk in town

- Afternoon youth karate class, awesome class, well attended and great helpers with Colleen and Scott (Scott and I have made massive improvements in our communication!!) worked on basics and 'will power' - good class!!

- 5:30 pm class just Colleen and I again....I really don't mind that! Every moment I spend with her refining her art is a moment well spent....you can quote me on that! At her request we worked on her solo tai chi form ...coming right along

- Adult karate class 4 students including Colleen ....Colleen led the Simon Van, Dylan and Jack Fox through and awesome warm up and conditioning....really excellent!! I'll be they are all sore today;^) Finished off with a sparring clinic ( I gave them some of the 'secrets of the gods' and some light stretching at the very end

It was a good day....

Sifu's Training Journal - Wed. 4.17.12

- Started off at the Y with a full nautilus workout and gravitron

- Back home to meet with the verizon guy to work on my DSL connection...fingers crossed he fixed it

- Drum set practice 1/2 hour

- 45 min walk, round of tai chi, bagua 'accordion' stepping

- Youth karate class - the '10', line work basics, kata, shadow boxing, short standing meditation

- Tai chi class - 30 qigong warm ups, worked on hands first then stance work for 'brush knee twist', worked it into the sequence, went to guided independent practice

- Arnis class was just Phil and I .....we bagged it early

Good day all in all .......

Sifu's Training Journal - Tuesday 4.16.12

- Started the day off with Bob, Read and Sandy working on double broadsword basics for about 1/2 hour, then a review of the double broadsword form, with some detail

- Morning tai chi class - 30 qigong warm ups, split the group up old timers worked on the dance I worked with the beginner student (Danda) and Janee on the beginning of the form, standing meditation and the 'centering the breath' qigong - I'ts the newest thing I'm teaching to beginners. I then reviewed the dance with Janee and finished with a round of tai chi part I on the left side and parts II and III on the right

- Drum set practice (1/2 hour)

- 45 min walk

- Jian sword form

- Guitar practice 45 min

Sifu's Training Journal - Monday 4.15.12

- Started the day off at the Y, full nautilus round, set on gravitron and stretching, round of tai chi, round of the second yin fu bagua set, arnis form 5, finished off with sunsu

- photoshop lesson with Prof. Brown (45min)

20 min cognition training

- 45 min walk

- Jian sword form

- Balance board (5  min)

Sifu's Training Journal - Sunday 4.14.12

- Started the day off with qigong warm up, a round of tai chi on the left side, a round of the first yin fu bagua set, arnis form 4 and sunsu
- 45 min walk with the 'crew'
- a couple hour session on Photoshop....very frustrating!!
- 35 min walk with the 'crew'
- 45 min Guitar practice

Tough day dealing with 'stuff' - Bob reminded me this morning about a great quote "Equanimity in the face of confusion leads to insight" I think I'd add frustrating as well as confusion!! I'd even go so far as to say staying equanimity in the face of discomfort leads to insight....easier said that done....Oh and try and keep a sense of humor;^)

Sifu's Training Journal - Saturday 4.14.12

- Started the day off with a round of tai chi to the music with Karen and Pat

- First youth karate class was big with great help from Colleen, Scott and Jack, the '10' with detail, sanching breathing, basics, kata

- Second class was smaller - Colleen led the warm up, I registered a new youth student. (FYI - The main things a beginner needs to understand is that they have to develop the habit of coming to classes regularly and that if they can't make it they should call or email.....that remains the same throughout their tenure at the Studio...the next thing is if/when they discontinue training at the Studio they need to meet with me personally to end their training respectfully.), basics, kata ended with a group round of sanchin and discussion on tech to deal with negative energy.

- Back home a 45 min walk with Paco

- 20 min of cognition training

- Drum and guitar practice (1hour)

Good day with a few bumps along the way...beautiful weather

Sifu's Training Journal - Friday 4.13.12

- Started the day off with a long hike with my pal Paul C. (AKS Black belt)

- Back at my house we stretched, qigong'd and went through a review of the '10'

- We each did our own 'round' of T'ai Chi, Paul has been studying with Wolf Lowenthal in Amherst for a number of years. We followed our practice with standing meditation and some discussion of principles etc.

- Spent 2 1/2 hours getting my new laptop up to speed....mostly learning the video and photo software and on the phone with verizon getting my internet connection up to speed so I COULD get my laptop up to speed ....

- 1 hour of drum set practice

Light training day...but good day all in all.....

Sifu's Training Journal - Thursday 4.12.12

- Started the day off with Bob, Lenny, Sandy, Read and Janee with a 25 minute bagua walking using the 'old eight palms', then much discussion about the details and implications of where the power and intention is coming from while doing the 'mud tredding step' - ended with some applications and form review

- Tai chi class - 30 qigong  warm ups, single movement training with ward off left and right, part one on the left side with repetitions of downward deflect, parry and punch, ended with a round to the music

- Back home and spent most of the day setting up my new computer....oh what fun.....why so complicated???

-Youth karate class - great help from Colleen and Scott - started with discussion about journal content - worked the 10, basics and kata

- At 5:30 only Colleen and I, she asked to work the tai chi form so we spent the hour on review and detail

- Adult karate class, again started with discussion about journal, the 10 exercises modified, line work concentrating on forward movement, step thru on the forward leg kicks, the 'blitz' and using appropriate techniques in regards to distance and using spinning tech. only when they are already moving back, ended with kata review and questions

Good day all in all....very tired by the end though!

Sifu's Training Journal - Wed. 4.11.12

- Started the day off with Phil, Bob and Read at the Studio for about an hour. We worked on the three hit drill that Sensei Kratz presented last Sat., went on to review the locking counter drill from Roland Rivera

- 35 min walk to the Y, full Nautilus, stretching, round of tai chi, bagua changed 4-8 of the cheng t'ing hwa animal set, arnis form 3 and sunsu

- youth karate class, scott assisting, discussion with Sensei Kratz about upcoming rank eval., kata's with the group

- Tai chi class, 30 qigong warm ups, standing meditation, I worked on the beginning of the form with the beginners

- Arnis class, Justin, Phil, Marcia and Read for his first class, I worked with Read on double zero, 12 angles, abinico double action while Justin and Phil worked mostly on palis palis and tapi tapi - Read left early and I spent some time with Marcia and some time with Phil and Justin on a few tech off of palis palis and then we reviewed the locking counter drill from Rolane Rivera with some detail

A good day all is all....but long and I was a bit tired by late afternoon and was quickly loosing steam after youth karate class.