Finding the finesse in motion

Learned some great variations with the spiraling teacup exercises. Note when the thumb leads the coiling and when the little finger does. Don't bind yourself, but find enough space to spiral by turning the waist. Keep the spiraling in one spot vertically as you circle around it. The walking creates the spiraling action. Great way to identify the bound areas in the body and by freeing space, squeeze thru without resistance or gaps. Another variation is to walk the circle with a single palm oriented to one direction. For example, if a tree is present in front, walk orientating the right palm pointing to that tree as you circle.

It seems that when one is holding or walking a sequence correctly, you get feedback from the connection thru a greater relaxed awareness, pulsings or streaming sensations in the arms and fingers.

Most of the basic exercises have a martial application. It seems that it has a covering effect in acquiring the opponent's internal real estate.

In the 1st change when closing, bring the underpalm just below the armpit and when setting the palm, let it come from settling the lower back and sitting into the back leg.

Matt makes reference to 3 empty and 3 full in doing the Pa Kua walking. The arms are full and the legs empty meaning that the arms are full thru to the fingertips and the legs free to shift and change to any direction.

When doing the rise, drill, fall, overturn standing pattern... allow the movement to carry, finish through the whole body ending in the legs. This is necessary for the development of gung. Do not terminate the motion in the back or mingmen.