Episode 197 - Porcelain Painting

I purchased this porcelain painting recently.

Judging from the descriptions, the painting should be around 70 years old. Isn't it beautiful?

Episode 196 - "Kua" and the "Three External Coordinations"

"For the training in "Knowing your own self", this is only half of the story. The next step forward is to establish the connection on the lower part of the body; the practitioner will need to find out how the power connection can be extended from the foot to the hands - in order to complete the construction of the "Power Sphere"." - Gate of Life

The "Kua" is the connection between the upper part and the lower part of the body. The post on Back Power analyses the importance of the back and its key role in the upper part of the body. Activating the upper part alone is not sufficient. If the coordination with the lower part is not possible, exercising "coherent force" is an unattainable dream.

Many people talk about the principle of the "Three External Coordinations" without knowing what exactly it is. The "Coordinations" as emphasized do not simply mean different parts of the body doing things together. It is the transfer of power from the lower parts to the corresponding upper parts that counts.

To achieve the "Three External Coordinations", one should know the precise answers to the following questions:

1. Where is the "Kua"?
2. How to "loose" the "Kua"?
3. How to motivate the "Kua" to coordinate the upper parts and the lower parts of the body?

Episode 195 - Taiji Wheels

This photo was taken recently during a walk to the Lung Fu Shan Country Park.

The Taiji Wheels in the photo can be played by 2 persons independently at the same time - each person operates a set of 2 wheels on his/ her side. Each wheel has a small handle. . The exercise is simple, you hold the handles with your hands and turn the wheels. The wheels should be turned together simultaneously - either turning to the same direction or to different directions. The purpose is to enhance body and mind coordinations. To get the most benefit out of the Taiji Wheels, you have to turn the wheels by utilizing the movements of the whole body and transfer the force as generated to the hands. Don't turn the wheels with your hands alone. The hands are simply the media between the wheels and the body movements - There is no hand in Taiji.

From a martial artist's perspective, I consider that the wheels are too loose and too easy to turn. If you know the rationale behind the Taiji Ball, you may still be able to obtain benefit from the wheels training to improve your level of coordinations. However, you won't be able to use them to increase the internal power.

As the wheels are easily available in most of the parks in Hong Kong, and it is not convenient to bring along a Taiji Ball for outdoor exercises, you can say my comments above are too picky!

Episode 194 - A Heart Without Worry or Obstacle

This photo was taken at the Wisdom Path at Lantau Island.

This is part of the wood inscription of the "Prajna Paramita Hrdaya Sutra" (Heart Sutra) erected at a slope at the Lantau Peak. The wood craving was the calligraphy of Professor Jao Tsung-I.

The Chinese characters mean "A heart without worry or obstacle" - another version of "Live Water"?

Episode 193 - Narcissus for the New Year

Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous Year of the Ox.