Originally Posted by
BentMonk
Master Smith from SD can put out a candle from three feet away with a palm strike and a punch. I saw this a few times in person, not on video. He wasn't whipping his hand to generate more air flow either. Both strikes were straight out. I attended a seminar where he taught the technique, it was free BTW. (have to get my jabs on the SD haters
) He said that the candle is just a fun way to develop good snap and power in your techniques, and can be used as a basic way to practice directing your internal energy. He also said that the best way to increase your own energy flow was through consistent meditation and practicing the internal MAs constantly. The belief in Qi has been discussed to death. You either believe it, or you don't. I have seen enough with my own eyes from Master Smith, Master Green, and other MAs outside of SD to convince me that there is something more to it all than just good body mechanics, but I don't think that there is anyone out there who's going to bust out some Dragonball Z crap either. This is JMO. It and a dollar will get you a soda. Have fun and don't burn yourself. Peace.
I only wish I knew what happened to my VHS tape from sometime in the '80s of the demo with the candle by Master Smith. He performed this with his gi top off and his mouth taped so no one could say he was blowing it out.
He would do a little warm up of his raising his shoulder and dropping the heel of his palm at the candle. He was so fast that only by playing the tape back frame by frame could you see that what occured was he put the candle out by pushing the air in front of him with his palm till his arm was fully extended and then he snapped his hand down straight at the candle. He withdrew his arm straight back and snapped his hand up when he got back to the starting position. While in real time it looked like he put the candle out at about three feet or so, it was really less. It was most impressive how quick he really was.
Last edited by BM2; 12-06-2008 at 11:21 AM.
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