Inktober Day #3 - Peacock Pose/Mayurasana/Kujaku ~ Stickgrappler's Sojourn of Septillion Steps

In John Maki Evan's great book, "Kurikara", he teaches the 'Peacock Pose' as the ultimate exercise for the direct cultivation of the Tanden and is the gateway to the advanced Tanren practice. FYI, "Tanden" is Japanese for the Chinese "Dan Tien".

"This is the ultimate exercise for direct cultivation of the tanden and is the gateway to the advanced tanren practices. ... In yoga texts, mastery of this pose is said to lead to such powerful digestive power that even poisons can be metabolized. More importantly, this mastery shows control of the inner "serpents"-the nadis or energetic flows. The integration of the external power of the limbs with the internal channels is the goal of the basic kata and manifests through dragon-like undulating and spiraling movements. According to the trantric schools, it is only when the energy of the limb "dragons" is fully freed that the central serpent power or kundalini can be accessed. Master of kujaku shows that one is at this turning point."

From "Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent " (2010) by John Maki Evans , pgs 46-48

My drawings for Inktober 2017 - drawing at least 1 pic each day in October:

Site Under Construction

Slowly but surely I've implemented changes to the site's look and functionality. I'm sure you have noticed the changes. Ecstatic that I've finally been able to successfully update my site closer more in line with my vision of it.

Not sure if it will be the final look of the site or not, but the Sojourn of Septillion Steps with respect to the site's look has already taken quite a few steps beyond the first!

I will still be endeavoring to put up information I think will benefit your martial arts training as well as your self-defense. I sincerely thank you for visiting/reading!

I remain very truly yours in the martial arts and self-defense,

~Stickgrappler

Tuesday, October 03, 2017