aguilaprime In reply to keichan-the-martian [2011-07-14 13:51:10 +0000 UTC]

I deeply respect and appreciate the effort behind your work. I also appreciate the humor and teases intermixed with truly appealing beauty. Although it is true that I focus upon the fundamentals of how martial arts are presented, you should know that it is an effort to find anything about your effort that I do not find appealing or enjoyable.

Regarding the model portraying Chun Li sitting on her butt, I found a video link on You Tube regarding how to sit in that position correctly. Please notice that the correct execution of this position is supposed to be done from a standing position. In other words, one is standing straight, and as the spine is maintained straight (imagine a string extending from head through butt pulling upwards) one sits down into this sitting position. From this sitting position one stands straight up.

There is no wobbling, bending or twisting in any direction involved. You'll notice that the student in the video has trouble executing this well. Nonetheless, with practice it is fairly easy to execute this. Also with practice one can imagine all kinds of defense/offense moves which Chun Li could execute quick effectively. Certainly the reality of what is possible within Kung fu if the body/mind is properly trained is both interesting and life extending.

Anyway, remember practice what stretches one knows, ballet stretches and various stretches learned in Yoga, are perfect in preparation. As one gets better, these and other moves get easier and your balance gets firmer and stronger. Here's the link: [link]

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

aguilaprime In reply to keichan-the-martian [2011-07-13 00:41:13 +0000 UTC]

I understand that Chun Li is a game character as well as the fact that a good many persons have no interest or care of the martial art concepts, forms or traditions, which this character stems from. However the effort you and your model put into your photos do demonstrate to me some care to present your portrayal of Chun Li with a good deal of artistry as well as sensitivity. It is as a result of my recognizing this effort that I want to share a few links which could be useful in assisting you and your model in developing a portrayal of Chun Li grounded in some aspect of martial arts useful to you as artists.

There exists a shot you posted where you portray Chun Li sitting on her butt with her legs, feet, arms and hands positioned oddly although artistically. After looking at it for sometime I slowly came to understand that you were really attempting to portray Chun Li executing what is known in Kung Fu as the Scissors Stance. I found on You Tube a series of videos demonstrating how to move into this stance, as well as others which you can play and replay for review as often as you wish. Here is that link: [link]

You already produce really good art, developing a foundation which allows you a better understanding of the real aspects of positioning the body combined together with your art will also, I believe, help you produce even more amazing photos of Chun Li.

Warmly, Aguilaprime.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

aguilaprime In reply to monkeymagico [2010-07-27 18:47:24 +0000 UTC]

Ah a fellow reader of Gordon Dickson!! You may enjoy as I did a collection of his short stories, "Ancient, My Enemy".

Thanks for replying regarding the Shaolin text; I would have liked a deeper explanation. The wallpaper is written in Mandarin? If so, I'm going to try to get the specifics regarding what exactly it says. It doesn't appear to be written in Korean, or Japanese; unfortunately I don't have direct access to a scholar who could address my query quickly. So I'll keep poking about.

Since it is your wallpaper, if I can discover the specific tale or translation of it I'll let you know and report back what I found. Not everyone is as interested in such things as I, or you.

Thanks again...

👍: 0 ⏩: 0