I am able to link the mind with the limbs now. It’s a great feeling. Still have ways to improve but making progress provides motivation to further myself.
I am watching John Kaufman’s videos. It’s interesting to hear another perspective. I like
- the linking mass with limbs
- mass is a small marble or dot which is always spinning – like a gyroscope – or is always active
- transmitting of energy via mind – there is a “switch.” It will take some time to find it though. Have to penetrate the body more.
- relaxing the four points of the body – x2 between armpit and chest on either side + x2 the points where quads meet with pelvic region
- opening joints. Not only using them but opening them – separating them. This is done through the mind by intending for that idea – to separate the joints – to manifest.
I am also re-watching Tony Psaila’s videos. I was wrong in that this fellow did not mention joints or spine rising. He spoke about them. Both of these instructors offer greater insight now that I know what I must do. However, their explanations and emphasis on doing the three main things (what Ip man told CST) falls short. I feel I can do a better job in providing a coherent and concise summary of what is necessary to do to achieve a better state.
Noticing a few things:
- Body heats up considerably after doing SNT for awhile
- I get tired after doing SNT for awhile. Perhaps this is my not controlling the sexual fluids – ojas by remaining celibate
- Feeling of mass is noticeable
- Trying to use multiple vectors – multiple joints for movement. Ex. wu sau in SNT. Without it, I find that I am only pulling with one joint. Thus weakness becomes evident.
- Tai gong seems to be mental ashwini mudra, where, “the prana is turned upwards for spiritual purposes.” – link
- Rising/ singing is necessary because, “If you can send the mental current through that hollow canal without any nerve fibres to act as wires.” link – page 44 We are using nerve fibers to bring mind up through spine. We have to go beyond this level.
- Trying to relax the 4 main points as Kaufman said. Bottom points are relatively relaxed. Right side relaxes quicker than left side – between armpit and chest area.
- Trying to force shoulders to go back so I don’t burn out.
- Kicking is higher and straighter. Better able to use joints to kick and hold it in the air. Still need to work on it.
- Pivoting is better because I am moving from the mass and not the feet. Moving the mass means everything follows.
- I focus on the spiritual eye. In kriya yoga, it is necessary to do so while going up the spine and chanting OM in the chakral region. Kriya yoga requires initiation however. Won’t be able to get far without it.
I am also doing purification methods as described in Hatha Yoga – link – which is pretty sick. I have done everything except the “Basti and Shanka Prakshalana” since it looks to be a somewhat long endeavor.
Slowly getting involved with yogic mudras (hand positions), poses and pranayama. Pranayama is very interesting to me now that I have something to look up to. I am following Vivekananda’s method of purifying the prana via,
“The mind whose dross has been cleared away by Pranayama, becomes fixed in Brahman; therefore Pranayama is pointed out. First the nerves are to be purified, then comes the power to practice Pranayama. Stopping the right nostril with the thumb, with the left nostril fill in air, according to one’s capacity; then, without any interval, throw the air out through the right nostril, closing the left one. Again inhaling through the right nostril eject through the left, according to capactiy; practicing this three or five times at four intervals of the day, before dawn, during midday, in the evening, and at midnight, in fifteen days or a month purity of the nerves is attained; then begins Pranayama.”
link – page 18
I am also seeing connections between yoga and this kung fu we are doing. For example, tai gong seems to be ashwini mudra – link– the contraction of the anus. We are doing it in a mental capacity though,
Rising up is to open kundalini. Vivekananda says that is the only way to achieve God. Whoever has reached God has achieved this. Whether knowingly or unknowingly. Going through the spine to achieve salvation appears to be the only method.