#Bagua Zhang

[raffaellopalandri]

Defining Self-Care

In our fast-paced world, the concept of self-care often takes a backseat. Image taken from Internet Yet, it is one of the most essential aspects of leading a fulfilling and balanced life. Self-care is not merely about pampering oneself; it is about intentionally nurturing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of our being. I want to show you the significance of self-care,…

[ganzl]

The Evolution of the Shaolin Martial Arts!

The History of the Shaolin Martial Arts Most people say the Martial Arts came from the Shaolin Temple. Undoubtededly, the Shaolin Temple is a big influencer. But, my own theory is slightly different. Originally I wrote a short column about ‘Og and Bog.’ Og steals Bog’s apples by conking him on the head, Bog imagines a defense for getting conked on the head, and we have a technique and the birth…

[sifu-kisu]

Sun Lu Tang Jian Bagua Zhang.

[yoga-onion]

Legends of the humanoids

Reptilian humanoids (6)

Azure Dragon – Meng Zhang, the blue divine sovereign who protects the East.

The Azure Dragon is one of the guardians of the four cardinal directions in traditional Chinese culture, and according to the Five Elements phylosophy (Wuxing: Ref), the Azure Dragon is a spirit animal of the East. The Azure dragon has been considered a auspicious sign since ancient times, and governs spring (January, February and March).

In the Taoist version of his name, he was known as the divine sovereign ‘Meng Zhang’ and was the founder of the Dragon Tribe (a tribe that lived in the Dragon Realm and respected freedom).

The guardians of the four cardinal directions is another name for the Four Gods (Four Symbols) in Chinese mythology. They are the Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird and the Black Tortoise (also called "Black Warrior").

Symbol of the five elements of the bagua, god of the four directions, genus of the divine sovereigns.

In Taoism, the Four Symbols have been assigned human identities and names. The Azure Dragon of the East is named ‘Meng Zhang’, the Vermilion Bird of the South is called ‘Ling Guang’, the White Tiger of the West is ‘Jian Bing’, and the Black Tortoise of the North ‘Zhi Ming’.

Astronomically, it corresponds to the Chinese constellations system, the Seven Eastern Mansions of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. The name derives from the seven eastern mansions (Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail and Winnowing Basket) being linked together to form the figure of a dragon.

伝説のヒューマノイドたち

ヒト型爬虫類 (6)

青龍 〜 東方を守護する蒼い神君「孟章」

青龍は中国の伝統文化の中の天之四霊 (てんのしれい) の一つで、五行学説（参照）に基づくと、青龍は東方の霊獣である。青龍は古来瑞兆とされており、青龍は、春 (1月、2月、3月) を司る。

道教における人格神化した名前では、神君「孟章」と呼ばれ、「龍族 (龍界に住み、自由であることを尊ぶ種族)」の始祖とされた。

天之四霊（てんのしれい）は、中国神話に登場する四神（四象）の別称。青龍、白虎、朱雀、玄武のことである。八卦五行の象徴、四方の神、四帝の属。

道教では、四象には人間の身分と名前が与えられている。東の青龍は孟章（もうしょう）、南の朱雀は霊光（れいこう）、西の白虎は建冰（けんびん）、北の黒亀は執明（めいしゅう）と呼ばれる。

天文学的には、中国の星座系、二十八宿の東方七宿に相当する。東方七宿（角宿・亢宿(頸)・氐宿(根)・房宿(室)・心宿・尾宿・箕宿）が連なり、龍の姿になることからこの名がある。

[extraordinarilyextreme]

my full author's notes for 岁月不待人 | the moon and the tides, you and i because (for the first time) i ran out of space on ao3 😭

Zhuge Qing, as a Qimen sorcerer (奇门术士), is interested in both his own bagua (八卦; the Eight Trigrams) and others’ (slang for “gossip”)

unless i simply missed it, the live-action doesn’t really explain why Zhang Chulan’s nickname is a-Lian (阿莲; “lotus”). it’s because he was so shameless during the tournament that people cussed him out for “not having any fucking face” (不要逼脸), which then became a pun/homophone:  不摇碧莲 (lit. “the unshakeable jade lotus”)

the meme that Zhuge Qing sends Feng Baobao is the 不要靠近---，会变得不幸 joke

i really wanted to explore Zhuge Qing and Zhang Lingyu’s friendship more lol. they’re the first to size each other up, yet they don’t really seem to interact after the tournament??? 

“That I like him is not false” (“我喜欢他不假。”) is a line Zhuge Qing says in manhua chapter 309 about Wang Ye. it was cut from the donghua

A heart that cradles everything beneath the heavens (心怀天下)

a very famous scene (名场面) during the end of the Biyou Village arc is when Wang Ye beats up Zhuge Qing (王也踏青图 LOL)

Zhuge Qing is the star fated to oppose Wang Ye (克星; lit. “star that restrains,” “star that subdues”). my use of “oppose” is meant to callback to all the times they stand facing each other within their Qimen arrays

“It’s been many days since we last saw each other; you’ve lost weight.” (“多日未见，你瘦了。”）

“Happy end-of-filming.” (“杀青快乐。”; lit. can be understood as “Happy killing/murder of Qing”) which is why Zhuge Qing jokes that it’s inauspicious

the Tying-a-Red-String Squad (牵红线小分队) is a rather literal translation, but i liked the imagery. it’s really more like the Matchmaking Squad or the Wingmen Squad

in the source material, Wang Ye (26 yo) is 182cm, whereas Zhuge Qing (25 yo) is 180cm. this is a live-action set-up though, so i’m pleased to inform everyone that Hou Minghao is 178cm and Wanyan Luorong is 188cm. 你看着身高差，很难不嗑

the black coat, blue scarf, gloves, and boots outfit that Wang Ye wears is a reference to this douyin of Hou Minghao’s, which is in turn a reference to a sequence in the donghua’s season 3 opening

Hou Minghao has almond-shaped eyes (杏眼) <3

“Like the perfect blooming flowers and the round full moon, may the ones you care about be at peace for ages to come” (花好月圆人长久) is fairly common Mid-Autumn Festival phrase. 花好月圆 in particular is also related with conjugal bliss and can be used as congratulations for someone’s marriage

similarly, “The most beautiful landscape that can be described with words: the wind and moon that are without boundary; I wish you a joyful festival” (风月无边，佳节愉快) is often used for the Mid-Autumn Festival. 风月无边 comes from this poem and can also allude to the romantic affairs between people～

drifting clouds and wild storks (闲云野鹤) is an idiom: free and unrestrained, aloof from worldly concerns. i think it suits Wang Ye very well, as someone who is always searching for peace but will never be able to attain it

“it is for me that your mortal heart beats” (你是为我动的凡心). another translation that i ended up scrapping was “it is for me that you developed mortal desires.”

“actor” (艺人) and “Outsider” (异人) sound the same; hence, Wang Ye was making a really shitty pun. rui offered a better translation: “I may not be in a film cast, but I am an Outcast.” 

a dragonfly kissing the surface of a pond (蜻蜓点水)

Hou Minghao and Wanyan Luorong do both have freckles on their eyelids!!

i owe rui my LIFE for helping me come up with Xiao Hao’s (肖豪) name. 豪 can refer to “a person of extraordinary powers,” so i thought it fitting for the setting. his name is also supposed to be a pun for 消耗 (“to consume,” “to use up”), because he was wasting Wang Ye’s time

QingYe’s conversation about platinum-colored hair is reference to Hou Minghao’s birthday photoshoot. platinum (白金) can be broken down into “white” and “gold,” which is why Wang Ye asks if Zhuge Qing is saying “you’ll be with me till our hair turns white” (白头偕老; to remain happily married till a ripe old age)

Zhuge Qing teases Wang Ye by using 嫁 (“to be taken as someone’s wife”; “to marry” [women-only]) rather than 娶 (“to take someone as wife”; “to marry” [men-only]). of course, Wang Ye points out he’s a whole-ass man (老爷们儿)

“Face this world with sincerity, and so shall you obtain a sincere character. When you can face this world with calmness always, then so shall you achieve peace and tranquility forever.” (真常应物，真常得性；常应常静，常清静矣。) is the Sutra of Everlasting Peace (清静经) that Wang Ye recites in episode 15 of the live-action

“Cultivation doesn’t happen in the past. It happens now.” (修行不在过去，在现在) comes from Zhang Chulan’s closing monologue in episode 27 of the live-action. Cultivation, of course, is another word for life

“The amount of good cabbage you’ve ruined makes you no less than a pig” references 好白菜都让猪给拱了, which can mean that “a pure/good[-looking] person has been spoiled by someone scummy.” 拱 has sexual undertones lol

peach blossoms represent [romantic] love～

[the-monkey-ruler]

Monkey King - The Volcano (2019) 齐天大圣火焰山

Director: Lin Zhenzhao Screenwriter: Zhang Shengfan Starring: Chen Haomin / Luo Mi / Li Ruotong / Eric Tsang / Lin Chi-cong Genre: Comedy / Action / Romance / Costume Country/Region of Production: Mainland China Language: Mandarin Chinese Date: 2019-02-01 (Mainland China) Duration: 86 minutes Also known as: Monkey King · Flaming Mountain / Monkey King 2 / 齐天大圣之火焰山 / 齐天大圣·火焰山 / 齐天大圣2 IMDb: tt9726638 Type: Retelling

Summary:

Yan Ling'er (played by Luo Mi) was originally the fire spirit in Taishang Laojun's Bagua Furnace. When Sun Wukong (played by Chen Haomin) was making trouble in the Heavenly Palace, Yan Ling'er was attracted by his unruliness. Later, she fell into the Flame Mountain with the Bagua Furnace and has been here ever since. Silently waiting for the arrival of Sun Wukong can be said to be a model of "waiting for love for a thousand years".

Source: https://chinesemov.com/2019/Monkey-King-The-Volcano

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcMy6o9Of5c

[ronnansink-blog]

Unveiling Liang Yi Quan

I'm introducing Jie Mei Quan (Liang Yi Quan), an internal kung-fu style blending yin-yang and the five elements. Similar to Tai Ji Quan, it's known for its swift, dominant combat style, focusing on disabling opponents adeptly.

Integrating philosophies

Liang Yi Quan merges Tai Ji and Bagua Zhang, grounded in traditional Chinese medicine and the ‘Book of Changes’. Practice includes combining slow and fast motions, emphasizing internal power, and strategic timing in combat.

Integrating Daoist realms

I’m weaving together Daoist principles to align Liang Yi Quan’s Tai Ji with the ‘Two Extremes’. This approach hones both internal and external power, fostering a balanced force.

Compiling crucial elements

Piecing together Master Duan Xiaofei's Liang Yi Quan, the text delves into Tai Yi Quan’s origins in traditional Chinese medicine, blending yin-yang and five elements, and highlighting its decisive Wushu-style combat.

Highlighting Master Duan

I’m crafting a structured essay about Master Duan Xiaofei and his Liang Yi Quan practice, incorporating elements like the Book of Changes, TCM, and Daoism.

Introduction to Liang Yi Quan and Master Duan Xiaofei

Welcome to this special introduction to Liang Yi Quan, also known as Tai Yi Quan. In this extended presentation, we will explore the origins, philosophies, and distinctive qualities of this unique internal style of kung-fu—and, more importantly, highlight the contributions of Master Duan Xiaofei, one of its dedicated practitioners and teachers. Whether you are familiar with the world of Tai Ji Quan and Bagua Zhang or simply curious about the vast realm of Chinese martial arts, you will find that Liang Yi Quan (The Two Extremes) has much to offer, both in terms of self-defense and personal cultivation.

1. Origins and Philosophical Underpinnings

Liang Yi Quan (or Tai Yi Quan) traces its roots back to ancient China, deriving its core principles from traditional Chinese medicine, Daoism, and key classical texts such as the ‘Book of Changes’. This ancient text, often referred to as the I Ching, introduces the fundamental concepts of yin (negative) and yang (positive)—energies that exist in all things—and the interplay of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Yin and Yang: Represent the complementary forces in the universe, whose balance and interaction create all forms of movement and transformation.

The Five Elements: Symbolize dynamic cycles in nature. In Liang Yi Quan, these elements influence striking methods, postures, and strategies in combat as well as in healing and energetic practice.

The term “Two Extremes” reflects the dynamic separation of yin and yang—a notion that, according to Daoist philosophy, emerges right after the formation of Tai Ji. While Tai Ji Quan often emphasizes a continuous flow of energy, Liang Yi Quan harnesses both the soft (yin) and the hard (yang) in rapid succession, enabling practitioners to transition seamlessly between slow, meditative movements and explosive bursts of power.

2. Physical Characteristics

Liang Yi Quan has often been described as a “fast Tai Ji Quan,” reflecting its decisive, dominating, and efficient form of Wushu. On the surface, you can see echoes of Tai Ji’s smooth, circular motions and Bagua Zhang’s agile footwork. However, Liang Yi Quan distinguishes itself through:

Combined Speed and Power: The practice includes sudden changes of pace—soft and flowing transitions give way to swift, explosive strikes or throws.

Lightning Reflection and Thundering Movement: These energetic shifts allow a knowledgeable practitioner to disable an opponent quickly, leveraging timing and precise angles.

Starting Late, Reaching First: In combat, Liang Yi Quan often teaches strategies that allow you to wait for your opponent’s move and then intercept or neutralize their force, providing both defensive security and offensive capability.

3. Internal Cultivation and Energy Work

At the heart of Liang Yi Quan lies the use of internal energy or “qi,” governed by the mind’s focus and intention. Drawing upon traditional Chinese medicine theory, Liang Yi Quan practice aims to:

Regulate the Breath: Proper breathing techniques help cultivate and circulate qi throughout the meridians in the body, promoting health, vitality, and mental clarity.

Strengthen the Body’s Core: Dynamic stances and waist movement channel the force from the ground through the center, creating unified, powerful strikes.

Harmonize Mind and Movement: By focusing the mind to direct internal energy, practitioners transform mental calm into explosive external power. This aspect makes Liang Yi Quan a valuable complement for those who already practice Tai Ji, as it deepens internal control and broadens martial applications.

4. Master Duan Xiaofei’s Role and Teachings

A notable figure in the propagation of Liang Yi Quan is Master Duan Xiaofei. With years of dedicated training under renowned masters and a profound understanding of Daoist principles, he has become an influential teacher who bridges classical knowledge with modern practice. Master Duan’s approach typically emphasizes:

Authentic Transmission of Forms: Ensuring that practitioners learn the original sequences, postures, and techniques without diluting their essence.

Integration of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Encouraging students to understand the health benefits and healing potential of correct practice.

Focus on the ‘Book of Changes’ and Philosophy: Incorporating philosophical insights that guide not just physical practice but also personal growth, discipline, and life balance.

Practical Application: Highlighting real-world combat scenarios, showing how Liang Yi Quan can be both a health-promoting art and a robust self-defense system.

By fusing ancient wisdom with accessible teachings, Master Duan Xiaofei ensures that Liang Yi Quan remains vital and relevant, especially for contemporary martial artists seeking a deeper connection between body, mind, and spirit.

5. Benefits and Conclusion

Liang Yi Quan offers a comprehensive system that suits various individuals: those seeking self-defense, internal balance, or personal development. Its blend of slow and fast, soft and hard, and fluid transitions of yin and yangcreates an exceptionally versatile martial art. Beyond the purely physical aspects, this practice can lead to:

Increased body awareness and coordination.

Enhanced energy circulation and holistic health.

Refined mental focus and stress relief.

A deeper connection to Daoist philosophy and traditional Chinese culture.

As you explore or consider training in Liang Yi Quan, keep in mind the significance of studying with a knowledgeable guide like Master Duan Xiaofei. His dedication to preserving the art’s authenticity, combined with his passion for empowering students, ensures that the essence of Liang Yi Quan remains both accessible and transformative.

[lifechanyuan]

Playing the Five Elements Game — Advanced Cultivation (6)

Deiform Buddha

December 27, 2006

(Translation edited by Qinyou)

The universe is filled with energy, but the total sum of energy is zero. This is the principle behind “One yin, one yang constitutes the Tao; extreme yin and extreme yang constitute disease.” Thus, the state of zero is a perfect state and one that can change in myriad ways in an instant. This is the nature of the universe.

Qiankun Buddha has opened up the “Pandora’s Box” for us. After peeling back layers, we discover that the core of “Pandora’s Box” is nature. All things and phenomena derived from “Pandora’s Box” originate from nature. Only then do we understand the deepest meaning of “With an enlightened consciousness nature is perceived.” Seeing nature and becoming enlightened, we see the Tathagata and also see the Ancestral Buddha Tathagata — the Greatest Creator.

Whoever understands the meaning of the above paragraphs stands at the peak of human wisdom.

When a carp leaps over the dragon gate, it becomes a dragon; when impurities are removed, one becomes a spirit; upon perceiving the nature of the universe, one becomes a Buddha.

From a logical perspective, a gazelle cannot catch up with a tortoise. However, in terms of methods, all things can leap beyond logical constraints. As long as there is a trigger, mechanisms can be activated. Similarly, as long as there is a detonator, an atomic bomb can be detonated.

The saying “Grasp the main points, and everything falls into place” is absolutely correct. Once you perceive nature, everything becomes simple and turns into a fun game. Besides playing games, there is nothing else to do. Realizing this makes you a celestial being, not just a human or a land celestial, but a deity celestial and a Super Celestial.

However, proceed with caution. Games have very strict rules. Understanding the rules allows one to “act according to one’s wishes without exceeding limits” and “handle tasks with ease.” Not understanding the rules will lead to aimless confusion and repeated failures.

Qiankun Buddha once taught us that to play a card game, you must not only know how many cards are in a deck and understand the value and meaning of each card, but also be familiar with the rules and combinations of the game. Without this understanding, how do you play? You simply cannot play.

Life is a game. The question is, how do you play? What do you play?

I have been deeply immersed in the theories of Yin-Yang, the Bagua, and the Five Elements. It can be said that the theories of Yin-Yang, Bagua, and the Five Elements are the lifeblood of Chinese culture and mark the watershed that differentiates Chinese culture from others. The essence of Chinese culture is not the Confucian, Buddhist, or Taoist teachings, but rather the theories of Yin-Yang, Bagua, and the Five Elements.

There are countless games, but playing the Yin-Yang game and the Bagua game can be complex, while playing the Five Elements game is simpler and more interesting.

The theory of the Five Elements has been around since the time of the Great Yu’s flood control, about 4,300 years ago. The Five Elements are simple: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. However, playing these five cards well is not easy.

The Five Elements interact in both generative and destructive cycles, with the rules being:

Generative Cycle: Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, and Earth generates Metal.

Destructive Cycle: Fire destroys Metal, Metal destroys Wood, Wood destroys Earth, Earth destroys Water, and Water destroys Fire.

Let’s use an example to illustrate.

Zhang San was born on August 16, 1976, at 8 a.m. His Four Pillars of Destiny (Ba Zi) are: Bing Chen, Bing Shen, Geng Zi, Geng Chen, which correspond to the Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Fire, Metal, Metal, Water, Metal, Earth.

First, let’s analyze Zhang San’s Five Elements. His destiny is Earth, specifically Yang Earth. His chart has three Metals, two Fires, two Earths, and one Water, but lacks Wood. Metal is too abundant, Water is too scarce, and there is a deficiency of Wood.

The total energy in the universe is zero, which is the optimal state. In other words, only when the elements of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth are in relative balance can one achieve the zero state. If any element is excessive or deficient, balance is disrupted, leading to instability and a risk of premature death. To avoid extremes and disasters, Zhang San’s chart must be managed as follows:

Firstly, the most significant task in Zhang San’s life is to find Wood. Since his chart lacks Wood, his life would be unsettled without it.

Where to find Wood?

The east represents Wood. Zhang San should spend his life in the east, heading towards the east. Whether it’s the direction of his house, his bed, or his office desk, it should all face east. Additionally, he should associate with people who have a lot of Wood in their charts to mitigate some disasters. Furthermore, Zhang San’s strong lungs often lead to “lung disease,” and his large intestine also has issues from time to time. What should be done? He should strengthen his liver and gallbladder because his liver and gallbladder are too weak. We can also infer that Zhang San’s sense of smell, though often problematic, is very sensitive, while his vision is poor. Additionally, Zhang San should prefer colors like cyan and green and avoid white and gold. His house should ideally be made of Wood, avoiding Metal structures.

Zhang San should primarily avoid traveling west and avoid marrying or forming close ties with people who have a lot of Metal in their charts.

Zhang San’s destiny is Earth, and his zodiac sign is dragon. According to traditional practices, since Wood destroys Earth, Zhang San should avoid Wood and not marry people with the zodiac signs of tiger or rabbit, as they represent Wood, especially those born in the years of Geng Yin or Xin Mao. However, considering his chart’s eight characters, Zhang San needs Wood to counterbalance the excess Metal. Thus, marrying people with Wood elements can benefit him, though this approach is somewhat selfish as it may not benefit the other person. Conversely, if the partner’s chart has too much Wood, Metal should be used to counteract it, which might actually be advantageous.

Therefore, when playing the Five Elements game, all factors must be considered to find the best solution for oneself while also considering the impact on others, otherwise, it becomes unethical.

Chinese people have been playing this game for a long time, but there aren’t many experts. Usually, it’s a case of treating the symptoms rather than the root cause, inevitably addressing one problem while neglecting another. Mastering this game can mobilize the entire universe, allowing a butterfly’s flapping wings in Alaska to trigger storms at the Cape of Good Hope.

Playing the Five Elements game can lead to the unification of heaven and man.

From Zhang San’s chart, one can further derive a more extensive system, such as how to address the lack of Water in his chart, how to supplement the yin for his yang Earth, and the traditional belief that dragons and dogs are incompatible, so Zhang San should avoid those born under the dog sign. Additionally, Zhang San’s excess Metal should be countered with Fire, but why advise Zhang San to seek Wood instead of Fire, and so forth. These issues can all be resolved perfectly.

You cannot achieve much or go very far without peace of mind. Without tranquility, the spirit will not stay. As an advanced cultivation, those who have completed elementary and intermediate cultivation should play this game during their leisure time after being well-fed and content. Don’t become a fortune-teller!

[sagetoday]

Unleash the Art of Wudang Baguazhang: A Journey of Movement and Philosophy

Wudang Baguazhang Tutorial Bā Guà Zhǎng, or Eight Trigram Palm, is a unique martial art believed to have been developed by 董海川 (Dǒng Hǎi Chuān) during the 清 (Qing) dynasty. It is said that while traveling to the southern side of the Yangtze River (江南), he drew inspiration from Daoist philosophies and subsequently infused these ideas into his martial practice. This dynamic art form emphasizes circular movements and footwork that reflects the principles of Yin and Yang and the natural flow of energy. The Wudang Baguazhang tutorial offers enthusiasts an opportunity to explore these intricate techniques and deepen their understanding of this rich tradition. To learn more about Wudang Baguazhang and begin your journey into this fascinating martial art, please visit the link below: https://www.sage.blue/bagua-zhang/ Unlock the transformative power of Baguazhang and enhance your martial arts practice today!

[skills-course]

Download Ted Mancuso – The Eight Animals of Bagua Zhang LINK DOWNLOAD: https://skillscourse.net/ted-mancuso-the-eight-animals-of-bagua-zhang/?feed_id=2494&_unique_id=65b086317108f categories:

[sneaselsawashiro-blog]

So, I too, have gotten a TON of new insight on the new information historically about people, and I too have basically changed from the prior years this stuff was written.

And again, I truly understand the issue with Xu Shu's character, and it's a shame since he's personally relatable for someone like me. HOWEVER, the true potential in Xu Yuanzhi's character lies in hypothetical stories. This made me really appreciate him a lot more.

Back in DW8 where it has his first story where he like in the novel, defeats the Eight Gates Gold Chains Array utilized by Cao Ren (with the same "gates" as in the Naruto "Eight Gates", used for the general Bagua/Eight Trigrams). He of course underestimates his own potential, and even Zhuge Liang himself has a ton of faith in him. Only from saving him at Red Wall [Chibi] in Shu's story you can unlock the hypothetical routes with him with his strategies being vital at Chengdu, Hanzhong and especially Fan Castle (wtf did KT/Omega Force decide to reverse the flooding scenario in DW8 Fan Castle, stupid writing team). But of course I do admit, yes, his strategy at hypothetical Fan Castle is meh cause it's just a stepladder lol

Then in Wei's story if you convince him to truly join Wei, he shines hard with teaming up with Guo Jia to stop the fire scheme at Red Wall, and even helps with cornering Liu Bei, Liu Zhang and the Nanman at Baidi (White Emperor) Castle in the story's ending.

BUT, DW9's DLC scenario for Xu Shu REALLY made him shine. I understand it's one of the most boring scenarios according to people and that Xun Yoh is basically "the Xu Shu we all wanted", but we have to give credit where its due even if for hypotheticals like Fa Zheng and Lu Su's, they take place in the more exciting near-later-half of the Three Kingdoms story while Guo Jia's is more of a wild route that also involved Xu Shu rebelling.

First off, after speaking his true feelings on wanting to serve Liu Bei and Zhuge Kongming actually understanding Yuanzhi's dilemma, actually hatches a strategy to rescue and move his mother out of Xuchang by causing some chaos that everyone has to tend to via bandit attacks. And without that forged letter bs from Cheng Yu like in the novel, Xu Shu is free to serve Liu Bei as he pleased.

What truly impressed me as I was watching LightyTheNube's playthrough of the said route (where he was no doubt less than pleased and I understand why), is that Xu Shu pulled off the following:

*He by just asking the locals at Xin'ye, discovered Cao Cao's plans to invade Xin'ye from Wan Castle and Xuchang.

**From there, he literally manages to solo raid both an ambush unit AND sabotage a hidden siege weapon unit, single-handedly preventing the events of Bowang Bank and Changban (Long Slope) Bank and Xin'ye was able to rest easy. Even Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were damn impressed.

*From what he did preventing Cao Cao's plans to raid Xin'ye from the north, during negotiations with Liu Biao for more troops since Xin'ye is still not well protected, are met with understanding the inheritance wars between his entire family for Jing Province, are given a proposal to help rescue Huang Zu from Sun Quan's forces at Xiakou (which Zhuge Liang explains to Xu Shu can double as another way to show off Liu Bei's strength to Sun Quan to plan their alliance vs. Cao Cao). And that shit works out despite Cai Mao's chagrin (fuck Cai Mao).

*And when Liu Bei is chased down by Cai Mao's forces via that famed "Hex Mark, Hex Mark, why must you harm me like so?" incident and where he would've met Sima Hui, he does manage to save Liu Bei and co. to escape from Cai Mao's clutches. But Liu Biao dies later on from illness.

*Even though Zhuge Liang plans to have Liu Qi kick the bucket so Liu Bei could take Jing, Xu Shu basically refuses that notion since both he and Liu Bei agree that it would rob Liu Qi and Liu Cong, in spite of Liu Biao's late wishes to want to have Liu Bei govern Jing. Lo and behold, Cai Mao starts shit again (including tricking Huang Zhong and Wei Yan at first) to cause Qi and Cong's camps starting shit with one another by having Liu Cong as a hostage. After that whole bs was resolved, Xu Shu got it to where the two bros realize "maybe Jing isn't meant for us if this kind of crap happened, let's give it to Lord Liu Bei for real instead", and even Zhuge Liang was impressed with that third option Xu Shu came up with.

*Thus, literally Liu Bei got his hands on Jing in a non-Wu-lending-it-to-me way, and also as it prevented the events of Bowang and Long Slope, ALSO prevented the supposedly awesome events at Red Wall [Chibi], but in trade allowed for Liu Bei through a legitimately-earned Jing, to launch a joint assault on Cao Cao at Hefei. But hell, Zhuge Liang is later on revealed to be kidnapped by Cai Mao and Cao Pi at Xiapi during this so Xu Shu has to rescue him (lolz).

*Thus, the alliance was able to defeat Cao Cao and rescue the emperor, and while Xu Shu's ending doesn't look as impressive, with what he achieved so far in that DLC route, it looked he he was going to go even further.

So yeah, pretty damn long input on this, but just studying this hypothetical in DW9 in regards to "well, what the hell can you really do in the early half of the Three Kingdoms story range", it still really impressed me to see what his DW portrayal can pull off.

Honestly, it's a shame his real life version didn't do that much at all. and it's also made clear that DW Zhuge Liang (and by proxy DW Pang Tong even if they never met irl) really show confidence in their friend's abilities.

Dynasty Warriors Character Analysis: Xu Shu

2/28/2023: The last decade has been good for the 3K community. Our most important members have worked hard to translate a wealth of new material, and to correct old mistranslations. We all know more than we once did, and must all be able to change our minds in the face of new information. On top of that, I’m a very different person than I was when I wrote these articles. My opinons have changed. My values have changed. And I like to think I’m a bit wiser now.

All of this is to say that this article may no longer be an accurate representation of my thoughts and opinions. It may contain significant (and embarrassing) factual errors, opinions formed in bad faith, and disingenuous arguments. Even in cases where I am correct about the facts and have reached a fair conclusion, my personal values have changed significantly. Some things that I once found laudable I now detest; some things that I thought foolish, I now admire.

That is particularly true regarding this article.

The article below is a product of an earlier time in my life. I have chosen to leave it in place, unedited, because I believe it is important to be able to trace statement back to its source.

Keep reading

[raffaellopalandri]

Daily writing promptWhat is your favorite form of physical exercise?View all responses The physical exercises I practise are all part of holistic disciplines such as the one I developed, MMQG. This discipline combines meditation, mindfulness, and Qi Gong with traditional practices like Tai Chi Chuan, Yoga, and internal martial arts. These practices offer a comprehensive approach to well-being…

[ganzl]

Little Tai Chi Gimmicks to Build Chi!

Adding Chi to Tai Chi Chuan! I remember when I first heard about Tai Chi. Quite fascinating stuff. Over the decades it became more fascinating, and I learned how to differentiate the myth from the reality. In this newsletter I want to list a few of the things I do that helped me figure out Tai Chi. Do remember that these things take time, even with matrixing. They also demand a certain amount of…

[sifu-kisu]

THE OLD METHODS OF TRAINING BAGUA JANG

The picture below shows one of the old ways of training (gunfa) to increase inner strength (naili). Today, when most wushu practitioners roll mainly forms, few people use old traditional techniques for langun training. But they, the various gunfa methods, constituted the essence and foundation of the old Chuantung Ugong training. Without these gunfa methods and special pair methods, wushu becomes only a decorative hobby. There are many such methods, but in each style his own and each master his own.

These gunfas give those or other special qualities, without which further actions are very ineffective. Well, for example (in the picture below) - Georgians in the form of shadai bags on a rope are tied to the thumbs (maybe middle or index). The weight is arbitrary, but range from small to large, both in terms of mass and training time. At the beginning, they just "insist", that is, they stand in this position tuymo zhang or "palm pushing the groundhog" on both sides, then they begin to "steal" (or tzhou tuan, "walking in a circle") fulfilling all the key requirements to the position. As described by their master Liang shi baguachang Zhuge Jiaabao: "During training this position, you need to: ""dunk"" (very / ») shoulders and "hang" (zhui / и) elbows, the shoulder "closes" (kou / по) inward, you need to ""embrace"" (han / гу) the chest, "stretch" (ba / «) your back, the base of the palm pushes forward, "tiger's pack" (hukou" / нец) follows a circle, the heart of the palm is retracted back, the fingers stand vertically up, the index finger of the front palm at the level of the eyebrow, the middle finger points to the sky, the middle and the index finger are held separately, the finger and the pinky are curled in, the shoulder needs to be stretched out, as if you are carrying a shot in the shoulder hole, the back elbow protects the middle of the breast, the toes of the back hand are close to the elbow of the front hand, the lower back curves inwards in any way, the hookou of both hands turns to the heel of the back foot, the feet go around the edge of the circle and wrap inwards, the foot needs to be cut off whole and put whole, you cannot "expose the hoof" (jzeti / близ) (opend the heels), "open the sole" (lyangzhang / паль) ( kick your foot ) When walking, you should bend your knees following your hips. You need to walk steadily, as if you are being carried in a palanquin, it is as if you are rotating a mill of earth, walking as if on clay, the tongue is raised up to the sky, the energy of the chi is "dipped" (sink) in the dantian, breathing is natural, the tip of the head is pointed up, the body is like a twisted rope. According to all regulatory requirements, you need to walk for an hour, once changing direction to the opposite direction. You can't lose your posture. Every day in the morning and evening, I trained at least two hours. Holding it firmly, I've been training for three years. "

However, working with weights should not precede the basic work (jiben gun) of building a solid frame and foundation. And to be its logical continuation, reinforcing the efforts already made.

It must be said that today - even in the midst of masters it is rare to see such work. Mostly people practice one or more forms throughout their lives, but this approach, while good for health, is not a true traditional martial art that was built primarily on similar gunfa methods and pair work. Therefore, if we want to "revive an old tool" - we need to go back to old methods and techniques using traditional special gunfas.

[yoganostress]

MAESTRO MU YUCHUN A ROMA 7_9 LUGLIO – SEMINARIO TEORICO PRATICO PRESSO IL CENTRO YOGANOSTRESS from Yoganostress.it Vito Perillo on Vimeo.

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[oficeandwind]

even now with a laser sharp focus, chongyun can sense ren's displeasure over this. it's fine with chongyun, they can apologize for this after. chongyun should have given him an explanation before throwing him into this, but chongyun's always lived a mildly reckless life. for now, ren seems like he's being a good sport about it (even if chongyun can practically hear the scathing lecture to come after).

they remain silent though, still repeating their mantra in their mind as they listen out for any incoming attacks. chongyun can hear ren's clothing flap with each movement, and they tilt their head ever so slightly to keep track of his position. it's hard to tell what he's planning, or even THINKING at this point, but chongyun manages to keep their breathing steady, shifting their feet just enough to change positions. the footwork comes naturally to chongyun, with their feet sliding with meticulous grace, even. and ― it's a good thing chongyun's moving too, because the next round of attacks are coming. THIS TIME, chongyun is ready for them.

he dodges, body naturally contorting into the bagua zhang he's so familiar with to escape the wind blades. not JUST the initial anemo attacks. a beat later and there's more. chongyun slides out of the way of THOSE, too. just barely. chongyun stumbles back, but quickly manages to regain his footing with only a quick grunt. mind be purged, world be saved. mind be purged― mind is focused again, settling back into an instinctive routine.

at the same time, chongyun is using his cryo, conjuring up a large ice spike, just barely taller than himself ― from the ground to try and throw ren off. this feels weird without his claymore acting as a shield, but chongyun is also rather pleased with this much progress. rarely does he get the chance to put his martial arts to test, too used to being the heavy hitter he was trained to be.

while chongyun can't tell where ren's attacks went, chongyun is still half crouched, body ready to move more. there's something about this he doesn't like, something still feels not right. it's not the training itself, but, the aura still feels like it's lacking. it's not worth focusing on though, not now, at least. not until chongyun feels more comfortable relying on his senses and actual body than his weapon.

"again."

he's still listening for the subtle flap and rustle of clothing somewhere above him. not just that, but chongyun can hear the hum of anemo. not loud by any measure, but the noise resonates with chongyun in more than just hearing. his own vision seems to hum in response (unseen by chongyun), glowing its own vivid blue.

he doesn't need to tell ren he's ready this time, either. head tilted to the side, lips curled downward in concentration, chongyun's certain he can take a few more rounds of this.

they  hesitate  at  the  most  CRUCIAL  moment,  and  it  takes  every  ounce  of  self  control  ren  has  to  swallow  back  a  shout.  fortunately,  the  claymore  takes  the  brunt  of  the  damage  —  and  perhaps  under  different  circumstances,  the  wanderer  might  commend  chongyun  for  his  quick  thinking.  at  the  moment,  he  feels  more  inclined  to  launch  into  another  long-winded  (  no  pun  intended  )  lecture  that  would  probably  accomplish  little  more  than  serve  as  an  unflattering  indicator  of  his  TRUE  AGE.  he  still  does  pause  when  they  gesture  for  him  to,  more  than  willing  to  give  the  exorcist  as  much  time  as  they  need  —  hopefully  to  rethink  this  entire  exercise.  in  any  case,  he  isn't  exactly  jumping  at  the  chance  to  begin  another  barrage  of  attacks.

unexpectedly,  chongyun  DISCARDS  his  claymore.  ren  arches  a  brow  —  gesture  born  out  of  habit,  considering  his  companion  can't  exactly  APPRECIATE  it.  is  he  taking  a  different  approach?  the  wanderer  won't  say  he  recommends  it  —  that  weapon  was  the  only  thing  that  protected  them  from  injury.  he  knows  he  should  trust  the  process,  but  THIS  process  doesn't  exactly  seem  reliable.

❝  ... ❞  fine.  several  seconds  pass  without  anything  to  show  for  it.  ren  continues  to  circle  them,  searching  for  any  gaps  in  their  guard  —  out  of  habit,  rather  than  any  genuine  intent  to  take  ADVANTAGE.  perhaps  he's  imagining  things,  but  something  seems  different  about  the  exorcist  now.  he's  focused,  calm  —  a  sheet  of  ice  barren  of  any  imperfections  that  may  distort  its  glassy  surface.  interesting,  but  he  won't  put  too  much  stock  in  it  until  chongyun  actually  does  something  to  back  it  up.  he  decides  to  repeat  the  same  trick  as  before  —  two  blades  of  wind,  one  vertical  and  one  horizontal  with  a  miniscule  pause  between  them  to  allow  the  human  a  chance  to  react.  yet  ren  doesn't  stop  there;  his  wrist  flicks  in  a  half-circle.  the  ground  beneath  their  feet  trembles  —  the  wanderer's  attempt  at  giving  chongyun  a  warning  to  MOVE  before  dozens  of  much  smaller  blades  rush  up  from  beneath  them.  much  like  his  other  attacks,  he  purposefully  tones  down  the  power  so  it  only  effects  a  considerably  smaller  radius  than  it  normally  would.

time  to  see  if  that  little  meditation  trick  actually  WORKED.