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Now settled back in her relaxed yet balanced posture, the red-haired woman sat comfortably in her criss-cross position. She was determined to tap into that energy again, that life source that made all natural elements to run their courses. If she could do that, she would become more attuned to her surroundings and have a heightened sense of its flow. This time, it felt easier to pick back up into her breathing exercise.
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However, her mind kept wandering back to memories of her deceased mother. The latter had such a warm and comforting voice, slightly husky with age, but full of love nonetheless. Although some may call that same voice old and matronly, to the young girl, it was all she knew of affection and tenderness. For one who deserved none, she was grateful for every caring look or word or action that was given her. Thus, it was why she pushed herself so much, in both her physical skills and magic abilities. Even though her mother never required or asked it of her, she had reasoned that she could be nothing less than perfect for the one who has given her so much.
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Shaking her head, she tried to concentrate again. Once again, going to the ‘square’ breathing technique that her mentor taught her. Her goal was to be able to slip into that mode without any conscious thought about its pattern. She stopped herself right there. Hmm... If that was her goal, then maybe she should change her tactics a little. Instead of just sitting there trying to keep her mind from distracting thoughts, perhaps she should be doing something while she focused on her ki.
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Standing up, the female stretched her whole body out, feeling the taunt muscles rippling in the areas she wanted to loosen up. She had a lean frame, with little to no curves to boast of. Nonetheless, there were other things she could boast about, such as her suppleness and flexibility. Her slender form has served her well, enabling her to quickly adapt to her surroundings, especially during combat.
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Pulling herself up to a tall and straight stance, she rocked on her heels until she felt her balance aligning to the very middle of her core. Now she imagined a line going from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. From the very top, she relaxed her facial features, starting from the eyebrows, down to the mouth and jaws, and then her neck. Next, on to her shoulders, then her elbows and wrists and fingers. After that was her waist and hips, then her knees, ankles, and balls of her feet, until all her toes were relaxed. Completely loose and supple, like a willow. Now the most important part, a happy memory...
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Yes, there... Her eyes had fluttered closed. She could almost ‘hear’ the seasoned martial art’s master smile as she went through this opening phase. It was the little victories that made him smile and nod his white head in approval. It had become one of her most happy and cherished memories, the curve of that wrinkled mouth on that old man’s face when she finally understood and achieved something he taught. Whatever physical and mental skills she had, she owed it all to him. The faintest trace of a smile appeared on the young woman’s mouth. And with that, she slipped into that desired zone...
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Now, on to the second phase... With her arms outstretched, slowly, oh so slowly, she brought her left arm up while bringing her right arm down. She bent her arms, and traced a half circle in the air until both arms met at the center, then pulled away in opposite directions. Now with her hands parallel to each other, she turned both palms the other way and repeated the action in retrospect. All the while, she kept the gradual breathing pattern, and kept her knees unlocked and supple to her leisurely upper body movements.
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Here she repeated the entire set all over again, but this time slightly turning to her left side, mobilizing her waist into the slow and graceful actions. And now to the right side. Everything was the same, just on the other side, another direction. The quiet and calm actions were definitely helping her. She was feeling more connected to her true self - to her mind, to her soul, and to her spiritual essence.
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Now she let her mouth hang open a little, allowing her breath to flow more naturally. Her head was up and forward, perfectly balanced on her neck’s center. Keeping her chest soft but open, she brought her arms before her, her palms facing towards the ground. Her wrists gently swung out until her fingers were facing each other, forming like a square of sorts. Arms straight but not locked at the elbows, she then brought her neck slowly forwards. Her eyes were still closed at this point. Unhurriedly, her arms in their form arced forward and up, until they were above her head.
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For a few moments, she breathed in, feeling the form until it felt natural, then tilting her head back, she ‘pushed’ it forward, keeping herself grounded. Then breathing out, she allowed her arms to separate and fall outwards in opposite directions, letting them gently down until they were at her sides again. She could hear her mentor’s voice in the back of her mind. ’Fluid like water, free and flowing, still yet also moving…’
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All her stress and fears seem to melt away, all that negative energy pouring out of her soul and body. She could almost imagine them streaming out of her limbs, leaving behind peace and calm. In many ways, her mind felt more awake, even though her movements were agonizingly slow and repetitive. To the outsider looking on, it may seem like she was doing mindless, if not ridiculous, movements.
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However, she felt clear-headed, and could sense all that was going around her. To every move, there was a meaning. No move is wasted, no energy misdirected to the outside without some type of internal effect. Though she was still in her physical body, she could feel the nearby energies at work around her. The direction of the breeze blowing through her hair. The varied shadowing and brightening of the sun’s rays that filtered through the leaves above. The breath of life in the trees and plants around her, their heartbeats starting to align with her own. All this she could sense, even with her eyes closed.
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Those grey eyes slowly opened, now with a sense of deeper clarity and understanding. It was such a harmonious experience, like when two instruments compliment each other perfectly in tune, or when one has found the balance to their yin and yang. With a final inhale and exhale, she allowed herself to drift back to reality. It was always such a healing experience when she could go through the process without any distractions, and today, she had achieved it. She was pleased with her progress thus far, extremely pleased indeed.
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