90th Birthday Celebration of Family

Jerry Dennerline

Professor of History and Asian Studies

Amherst College

Wrote the following (italics) about the Hua Family. Jim R. "We now live in California, and our property has numerous "California Pepper Trees."  I recently discovered that swarms of Bees love those trees.  My interest in apiculture is totally piqued. As Master Hwa's 90th birthday approaches this month, I'd like to take this opportunity to post information about a book I bought in 2016  that I thoroughly enjoy now even more. "

( Stephen Hwa family surname is Hua. This is a book about his family and Hua Yizhi, noted as the "Father of Apiculture in China." )

"Hua Yizhi was both a remarkable man and the product of a unique society in a remarkable time. Heir to a family tradition of classical study, literary and artistic excellence, and local social engagement and leadership that endured for several centuries, he melded the values inherited from this tradition with the perspicacity of a modern agrarian entrepreneur. Surviving both the loss of his parents and the cataclysmic political events of the early 20th century in the small town of Dangkou in Eastern China, he expanded on the recent commercial, educational, and charitable successes of his grandfather's generation to become one of the region's most respected advocates of scientific and socially responsible rural development. A pioneer of scientific beekeeping in China as well as a sponsor of universal modern and progressive education in rural communities, he not only earned the nickname of "China's Bee King" but also helped chart his community's path through the darkest years of war and social violence to a more hopeful future. Cao Zhi Ding deserves credit for his devoted attention to factual detail, based on both archives and interviews, in balancing his abundantly evident respect for Hua Yizhi and bringing his story to life."

When you watch Tai Chi, just watch

 https://www.instagram.com/reel/CuaAe9nON9n/...==

DID YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU WATCH THIS OR ANY VIDEO FOR THAT MATTER, THE VIDEO STIMULI THAT ARE NOT CONSCIOUSLY PERCEIVED CAN STILL BE PERCEIVED LATER?

Jim R. said: Maureen Keough missed some key points because she tried to do something from a Teachable video AS she was watching. Don’t be intimidated by the challenge of how much there is to learn. Take the time to sit and watch, then watch any video repeatedly in one sitting.

Maureen said: I am trying now to watch when I am watching and to practice when I am practicing. I hope that makes sense!

Master Stephen Hwa: Yes, definitely, you need to just concentrate on watching-visual learning will subconsciously improve your movements

An experienced birdwatcher recognizes many more details in a bird's plumage than the ordinary person. Thanks to extensive training, he or she can identify specific features in the plumage. This learning process is not only dependent on conscious processes. Previous research has shown that when people are rewarded during the presentation of visual stimuli that are not consciously perceivable, they can still perceive these stimuli afterward.
https://medicalxpress.com/tags/learning+process/
https://medicalxpress.com/.../2021-03-brain-subconscious....

The Science of Tai Chi from an Engineer

Youtube link to video 

I talk about this video: "Master Hwa has said his background as an Engineer helped him learn. I'm sure that background helps him pass on Classical Tai Chi so it is not lost to the sands of time. Here he talks about Springs as intrinsic musculature that uses Internal Energy through the methodology of Internal Discipline. He also speaks of springs while "...in the springtime of life..." at 89. When a force applies to linked springs, the same pressure applies to each spring. So, your arm is linked to the shoulder and the core, not the hip joints. When three springs connect in series, the result is a longer and flimsier total spring, depending on how much force is absorbed or deployed. That applies if springs are the same size. However, an "arm" is weak, a "shoulder spring" is somewhat stronger, and a core/waist/abdomen&back "spring" is the strongest. Since the springs have different spring constants, the displacements are different. So, pushing with internal energy from the core delivers the strongest force first, and the "weaker" springs fall into place to deliver Fajin (a burst of power)."

I told him: "Very thought-provoking, thank you, Sir! The closed captions instead of default are quite thoughtful. I think this will be the “gold standard” for Tai Chi regarding Scientific thought. The analysis and subsequent redesign to accurately reflect the science you learned from your teacher is quite an accomplishment. Not only that, but as shown in the content and presentation, it seems to reach all levels for the betterment of others and is quite admirable."