Spread Your Wings

                                                                           

                                          

The names sound exotic: Baqua, GiGong.

They simply imply the Art of Breathing and the Art of Stillness.

They are of Eastern origin but are practiced worldwide.

Baqua is most interesting. The uninitiated would imply, "I breathe, so what?"

To the Baqua practicioner: Breath starts and breath ends the life cycle. With

 its Baqua regime, the initiate simply re-charges daily.

Gi-Gong is the art of stillness. Practitioners may stand alone or in a group and

meditate. No tension nor stress just a cycle of energy release and absorption. There are no

postures either (Sorry Yogi).

Of course, any exercise should be met with a doctor's approval.

One can watch paired Swans swim on a lake together. They have beauty and elegance

on high-class properties worldwide.

Have you seen the elegance and grace of  Tai Chi's: "The White Crane Spread his Wings?".

Behind the Eight Ball

                                                                     

                            

 Hwarang is a Form early federations practiced in Korean  Martial Arts,

What makes the form interesting is it was named after an uprising by youth. Scholars of

Korea will add an abundance of detail.

There was a successful movie made from Korea titled Hwarang (Circa1921). The plot was 8 males

found love and friendship while espousing a cause.

This was in the Tradition of Knights of the Round Table. But these were youths.

Hwarang is the eighth form taught in early Tang Soo Do. Students would start out practicing basic

forms while Hwarang was the pinnacle. To find a qualified sensei or Dojang (studio specializing in 

Korean studies) was rarer than gold.

Hwarang were 8 youths dissenting during the Silla Period in Korea. Symbolically, Hwarang is

the highest Black Belt Form and was only taught and reviewed by highest rank masters.

Today, we got "Behind the Eight Ball."

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The Snake, The Crane, The Myth

                                                               

 

Being perched in the USA  this history-making day it is fitting to present an Eagle. It is a symbol of 

the pride of our nation Perched means one is high-up to take a view of the world landscape.

What's still soaring is the mythical tale: It is a battle between a Snake and a Crane. The Crane is that 

beautiful the long-necked, wide-winged bird featured in Chinese Art.

Interestingly, a form of exercise has been handed down imitating the twists, turns of this

mythical battle. It's called : Tai Chi (Tai Chi Chaun).

The antagonist:

"It's California-styled, it's not authentic"

"It's too tame, people want action"

"It takes years to master"

From the protagonist:

" The Horse head rising to the heavens"

" Cloud hands"

" White Crane Spreads his Wings"

The list goes on. Tai Chi is the complete package: Exercise, Self Defense that can be of benefit

throughout a lifetime. Ignore? Explore?

Meanwhile, what is real is today is a historic day in the USA. Time to soar above the landscape:

The Snake, Crane and the myths.

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El Toro Bravo

 January is winding down. It just arrived. The next episode (TuffBook -3) is in the works.

The most popular is Mystery of the Green Menace. It will be a tough act to follow. Now one knows how

George (Star Wars) Lucus & Co felt when needed to energize his team for the next Star Wars 

installment.

What else?

Opening a parcel of merchandise and noticing a label, it read "made in Mexico". Unpacking further,

one notices a 20-inch (just guessing) strand of hair. Most likely from a female attendant.  No! It's not 

exactly a message in a bottle. No comments about Tariffs or

Immigration either. Just a happy ending, the package arrived. El Toro  Bravo!

                                           

The Art of the Deal vs The Art of War

                                          Art of the Deal vs The Art of War 

His name is Sun Tzu his book the Art of War is studied in Business and Military schools.

Was he that great or did time exaggerate his fame? Was he a political-propaganda tool?

Politics is everything,-everything is politics, we can be sure of.

Past Master Kun (circa 1929) is said to have developed a Iron Palm Strike Technique.

                                       

It was said to be so powerful it could demolish 36" of Clay Roofing Tiles.

Was he that strong or was it a propaganda story out of China?

Monday is U.S. Presidential Election Day. Donald J. Trump  ( The Art of the Deal) Many will attend, 

many will avoid and many more will watch because politics is everything, everything is.. politics.

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Westward With Beyonce

Beyonce is a trailblazing artist. She makes waves for her lyrical prowess and transformation.

Beyonce adapted a Western-style act. This shift of homage and re-invention has sparked

much debate.  Beyonce has defined a raw hard hard-hitting beat. She is known for chart-topping hits

and has built a loyal fan base. The pivot to a Western theme has raised eyebrows.

The country community questions her authenticity. On one hand, some traditionalists view

it as a commercial stunt. Purists argue that country music's essence lies in the lived experience

of rural life. She's got the wide-brim hat, the horse, the entourage, the cause, what more do the purist 

want after her Christmas 2024 Football Time Show?

Meanwhile, Shikira's due to energize this year's Superbowl ....and that's another story....

                                                          

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                                     Wiseman Part 2

                          

Last time we referred back to the era of SunTzu make the point that there is a lot to learn from books. Our beloved Mr. Myagi (The Karate Kid)  once remarked ,"Daniel-San you learn Karate from a book?"

Fans need to be reminded  trendy Backpacks are being carried by youth worldwide to school daily. There are countless library visits by seekers of knowledge.

One Kempo Karate professor suggested to his students to not ever engage in altercations out side the gym. The simple reason is, if a kid beats-up someone he may get expelled or his parents sued. 

Some of our most talented Black Belts lives have been lost. Fire-arms outnumber Black Belts. The Belt is not a Bullitt Proof vest. The praise, recognition and ego inflation of earning a Black Belt can  lure one  into becoming a Bouncer or Body Guard and taking risk of being a victim of gun violence.

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