Throwback Thursday – Bruce Lee, flow … be water!

November 20, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 2 Comments

Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee’s birthday is in 7 days. He was born on November 27th, 1940. Yes, he was/is one of my life heroes. I wrote of him awhile back. Crafting Your Own Style, referring to his style or “flow of movement”!

His philosophy of life as it relates to the discipline of martial arts is indisputable, as was his skill. The following clip, very short (30 seconds), is indicative of this life philosophy. That is Bruce Lee speaking!

Thanks you for stopping by today, and go with the flow!

~ Penny

Writing A Haibun ~ Balancing a style within a style!

August 10, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 23 Comments

Acrobatic performers present a visual balance, their bodies the essence of form and movement – muscles, tendons and sinews honed to an edge – physically obvious, yet from facial expressions, their style internal as well.

When writing creatively, I combine various elements of myself. My intent is to impart, through the use of words, specific sensations or thoughts.

If I adapt to a certain style, this becomes a part of what I wish to convey – not because of following or focusing on any preconceived methodology. I do not wish to constrict flow from my written words.

Writing a haibun is – in part – a form of discipline, a given set of criteria to be followed. But that is only a physical application of pen/pencil to paper or printed word to screen. When I impart an essence of who I am into the flow of my words (whether from imagination or experience) … that becomes my true haibun.

To become well versed in a written art form, I use differing creative tools of expression, for various situations; changing techniques but allowing a smooth flow between. With the writing of a haibun and a haiku, there is “a style within a style” and of course the balance between the two.

To acrobatic performers the “Art” is the expression and movement of their body, to move fluidly without hesitation to balance, as required, with an internal flow of their own!

And so it should be for all artistic souls (those who write, craft, paint, photograph, etc. – each a form of creative expression). The flow or movement their own.

artistic flow

creativity of movement

a balance of style

This is my entry into this week’s Ligo Haibun Challenge – Photo Prompt (The photo seen at the top of this post provided by YePirate! For more information on The Ligo Haibun Challenge, click here!

Thanks for stopping by to read,

~ Penny

The Beauty of human motion

April 11, 2013April 11, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 30 Comments

The sheer pure pleasure of it! Enjoy:

(for kindle subscribers, to view this video: check online You Tube “Lost in Motion“)

Have a great today and a better tomorrow,

~ Penny

This is for Women…inner strength!

November 3, 2012November 4, 2012 / Penny L Howe / 32 Comments

… We, women, assume multiple roles as adults today, some begin even younger, depending on the country lived in. We know this.

For whatever designated role(s) is/are assigned to us we know there will be more, as has been our understanding since…well since always … not a secret, just known, by us!

The things we do daily are often onerous and numerous. Still we go about our multitasking each day while a variety of situations rise up to interrupt and delay. It’s often exhausting.

This post is about outer awareness/inner strength.

The framework that we are encased in is our physical body. Within the body a chemical factory the goes with the flow of our being. We wake, we think, we do. The framework supports our actions. And…

There is a flow you can use to strengthen your ability to accomplish what you have set out to do for the day. I call it movement with a purpose.

Some time back I wrote about flow and movement but this post today is specific to women as I think we are (most of us) less aware of the importance of physical strength.

Again not so much about lifting weights (a good thing actually) or exercising (another good thing) but specifically how you move with your body each day and how your mind thinks as a result of this patterned movement.

The pictures above are just to illustrate the flow of strength and beauty in a movement. None of us looks or acts like a model or an actress. We are who we are. It is the attitude and body movements that convey not only an outer appearance of strength but also an inner feeling of same.

So here’s the lesson:

A simple one: When you move be aware of your body, carry yourself with a sense of purpose, feel your heartbeat and breath deeply and slowly to regulate it, the movement of your body will accompany this beat if you increase your awareness of it.

Hold your head erect. We are women and proud of this. When we walk with purpose, a sense to the day (the body recognizes this and passes the message along to all of it’s parts; increasing your inner strength and capability. Point in fact you will simply feel better for it. Give it a try ladies, works for me!

Thanks for stopping by,

~ Penny

Dancing to the Beat

October 14, 2012 / Penny L Howe / 48 Comments

The Rhythm of Dancing

Not all, but most of us love dancing in some form. The sound, the rhythm, the beat. The body’s movements synchronized to melodious sounds. Modern, Ballet, Rock, Classic, Traditional, so many different forms of dance around the planet.

Four days ago at Caans, it was announced that Michael Flatley (Lord of the Dance – stepdance superstar) and Harvey Weinstein (Oscars) will be producing “The World Dancing Awards” to be aired in the Spring of 2013 most likely around April after the Oscars and the Grammys.

Michael Flatley called the project “a dream come true” and said the show would honor both the best in current dance talent as well as the great dancers of year’s past, from Fred Astaire to Michael Jackson.

” I think people have underestimated the popularity of dance around the world,” Flatley said. “But it is huge and it is only growing.”

Today all of us need to be reminded of the beauty in life – that which makes us feel good. Dance is definitely one of those things. For your entertainment I would like to share Michael Flatley at his finest along with his amazing troupe of dancers. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8EXDtoGfrs&NR=1&feature=endscreen

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Have you danced recently? Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed your visit today.

~ Penny

For those who Blog – Crafting your own Style

September 20, 2012 / Penny L Howe / 55 Comments

Style ~ A Flow of Movement

Internationally known Bruce Lee became an iconic individual, famous for his stylized version/philosophy of Martial Arts (Jeet Kune Do), his executed flow of movement.

He believed that by “combining” the various elements of ‘martial arts’ you become the best fighter because you can adapt to any style – not following or focusing on any preconceived system of style.

Dana White UFC President called Lee the ‘father of MMA’ saying “if you looked at the way Bruce Lee trained, the way he thought, and the many things he wrote he said the perfect style is no set style – you take a little something from everything, the good things from each discipline, use what works, and let everything else go.

From early on I was fascinated by Bruce Lee, who in addition to being a Master Martial Artist was extremely intelligent and well versed in the disciplines of his art. His belief was to use different “tools” for different situations, changing techniques but allowing a smooth flow between. A style within a style.

He wrote of his stye as that of being the ‘Art of expressing your body’. He believed – a good martial artist should be like water and move fluidly without hesitation, changing with an internal flow as required!

And so it should be for all of us artistic souls (those who write, craft, paint, photograph, etc. – all form of creative expressions). Is your flow or movement your own? Create a style within a style – your own. Begin this today!