Greetings All

Just updated the schedule page. Take a look. Let me know if I’ve missed, or messed up, anything.

Let me know — really. If you’re reading the blog, comment now and then. I get lonely out here, and then I get behind. Help please.

Weberstown Walkers are now on Facebook too. Hoping this will be another (?) easy way for you to keep up with Mall news. If you “LIKE” this new page, then updates will be sent to your Facebook page automatically.

T-shirts are still available. Some of you who already signed up have not picked up your shirts yet. Sorry, I don’t do home delivery :-). If you’re not pleased with the size you ordered, ask me about exchanges. If you haven’t signed up yet, just stop by Dillard’s when I’m there and I have the release forms.

I also have some water bottles left.

The mall asks for, and appreciates having, a signed release from ALL walkers, whether you want a T-shirt/water bottle or not. We are guests. The Mall is concerned for your safety and expects all walkers to take responsibility for themselves.

Enough for now —

Thank you to all who joined us on Sunday for this program.  Special thanks to Jully Kang and Sifu Jenny from Sacramento who arranged for our Chinese Guests to lead this event.

To review & practice this form, check out Jully Kang’s practice on Tu-Th-Sat from 8-10.  (Bring a Yoga mat if you want to join in floor exercises as well.)  I will also go over some of the forms with M-W-F aerobics practice.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XdCb2pyCY]

and

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj2–7C8U7c]

Remember — your comments come to me.  I’m waiting to hear from you.  🙂

kristen

Mark the date.

ALL walkers and exercise groups are invited to gather at Dillard’s for a pot-luck brunch of the Mall Walk’s 15th Anniversary.

Everyone, PLEASE, bring something to share — finger food, simple snacks, drinks.  We have a sign up sheet at Dillard’s if you want to see what others are bringing, or let the rest of us know what you will bring.  We need everyone to contribute so there will be plenty for all.

TAI CHI groups will perform the 24 forms together.  This is an exercise set that most of you know.  Please join in even if you are just a beginner.  We will use Anne Chin’s recorded calls, in honor of a loved and valued leader we lost in February.  Anne led many of us through our very first Tai Chi moves, and we want to continue her legacy by introducing these calming and beneficial exercises to all who are interested.

And, of course, the Chicken Dance — you don’t want to miss this one :-).  We’ll have music for more dancing if folks have suggestions.

Wear your Mall Walk T-Shirts so we can get some great pictures.  See you all there.

kristen

May 30 will mark the 15th anniversary of the Weberstown Walkers. 

Watch for news about how we will celebrate.

Step one:  Confirm our welcome at the mall.  Weberstown asks that each participant take responsibility for his/her own safety.  Please –

• Sign a RELEASE — promising not to sue the mall if you suffer any mishap while exercising here.
• Provide emergency contact information — just in case.
• Respect Mall standards of conduct.
• Stay alert physical surroundings and other participants.
• Consult a physician if you experience pain or discomfort.
• Exercise at your own pace, attempting only those moves appropriate for your fitness level and conditioning.
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
• Stay hydrated.

Release forms are available from me.  Be sure to check off your T-shirt size as well.

Just a reminder that the Mall’s holiday shopping hours begin at 9 AM until Christmas.

Mall Walk exercise groups need to clear out at that time to ensure that shoppers feel welcome.

Monday the 26th will also likely be an early opening day for many stores.

We’ll return to regular schedule on Tuesday, December 27.

Have a safe, happy and healthy holiday all.

On Sunday November 13, our Sacramento Tai Chi friends sponsored an afternoon of performance featuring local groups with guests from Stockton and San Jose.
Stockton was well represented by Master Tam’s group who performed with fans and Jully Kang’s group offering Chen Style QiKung and Mei Hua (Beautiful Flower), a waltz.

Everyone is welcome to work with these groups to polish their personal skills, and join in events like this if you desire.

Added a couple of new videos:  Rock Around the Clock & Hillbilly Rock & Roll.

The first is one that many of you know from Oak Park.  Good old fashioned rock & roll number.  Bill’s group at Sears may do this one.  If you like it, we can learn this one down at Dillard’s.

The second is one we’ve been practicing at Dillard’s.  There are several versions on line.  This is the one we’ve been doing.  The steps, in brief, are:

counts 1-8 — start on right
rock forward with a heel flick, rock back with a knee lift
back coaster

counts 9-16 — left foot
sugarfoot (tap toe then heel), shift weight to left
grapevine right

counts 17-24 — left foot
rock forward with a heel flick, rock back with a knee lift
back coaster

counts 25-32 — right foot
sugarfoot (tap toe then heel), shift weight to right
shuffle turn left

counts 33-40 — right foot
rocking chair
two steps (right left) doing 1/2 turn to left; tap right & hold

counts 41-48 — right foot
sailor (cross right back, step left, step right, hold)
sailor (cross left back, step right, step left, hold)

Check it out, and join us.  You only learn to dance by dancing.  🙂

Happens all the time.  Something new!  Holiday changes.

For instance, I’ll be out of town next Friday — October 21.  The mall will be open for walkers and other Leaders will conduct regular classes.

Check here regularly for updates.  Check the “Schedule” page for basic information.

Thank you all for your cooperation as we’ve tried to deal with some crowding on M-W-F as the mall created a new, free Wi-Fi area in front of Barnes & Nobel.  Expect more of the same as Christmas decorations and sales carts are added to the mall for the holidays.

To help with these problems, Jully Kang has moved her Qi Kung/Tai Chi classes to Thursday and Saturday mornings at Dillards.  If you are interested in understanding and getting the maximum benefit from these practices, give Jully’s classes a try.

Okay here’s one that a lot of you know from Oak Park or from dancing with Bill.

When you watch the video, you’ll see that the original steps include a full turn.  We won’t bother with that.  Of course, you can add it if you like.  I’ll include both variations in the steps.

Here they are:

Action

Choreographed by Darren “Daz” Bailey

32 count, 2 wall, beginner/intermediate line dance
Music:A Little Less Talk And A Lot More Action by Toby Keith [ Start dancing on lyrics

1-8 Walk back 2, coaster (or sailor ½ turn) – Walk up 2 (or ½ turn), kick-out-out

• Step back on left, back on right
• Left back, right back, left forward (or cross back left pivoting ½ to left, shuffle right/left)
• Step forward on right, forward on left (or step on right pivoting ½ to left, step left)
• Kick right, step right to right side, left to left side

8-16 Hitch step right & heel bounce 3 – Sway right/left/right/left

• Right knee up/stomp down, heel bounce right
• Heel bounce right, heel bounce right
• Sway right, sway left
• Sway right sway left

17-24 Behind, side, cross shuffle – rock, cross shuffle

• Cross back right, step left,
• cross shuffle to left (right/left/right)
• Rock to left on left, rock back on right,
• cross shuffle to right (left/right/left)

25-32 turn, touch-cross 2, jazz turn & kick

• ¼ turn to right on right, tap left to left,
• step ahead on left, tap right to right
• Cross right forward, rock back on left,
• ¼ turn to right on right, kick left

We’ll give this one a try this week.

One thing we can’t do at the mall is floor work, because we’d need mats.

Ah, so sad, we miss so much, and I am not just talking about sit-ups.  I make up for that with a yoga class each week at the Stockton Yoga Center.  Okay, not free, but an important part of my mind-body-spirit health.  http://www.stocktonyoga.com/

Just in case any of you have some interest in trying yoga for yourselves, the Yoga Center is offering a one-session intro class on either October 16 or November 5.  This 2-hour session costs $25.  Here’s the Yoga Center’s blurb:

Yoga Basics with Wendy

Yoga Basics two-hour class starts you on your yoga journey. Explore and learn at a comfortable pace in a supportive environment with others who are new to yoga. This class is designed to provide you with the basics so that you can feel confident and comfortable moving into a class that is right for you. You begin with a brief discussion of the historical and philosophical background of yoga. Demonstration and practice of the fundamental yoga postures. Instruction on how to combine breath and movement. Answers to frequently asked questions and misconceptions. You don’t need to be flexible, strong, or be able to quiet the mind. Simply show up and do your best. Cost $25 for new students.

Check it out.