In this post I will go into the insight that comes with the question raised at the end of the post On Learning : Sub-Topic 1.2b here.
What we want to examine here are two questions :-
a) How we can keep up a fast pace using less energy
b) At the same time how do we minimize the adverse effect of gravity on our knees as we step off the escalator and turn to the right
Let's use the diagram below to look into this issue :-
When I come down the escalator I have a choice of two gantries to exit depending on my destination. If I want to go to Destination 1 then it makes sense for me to take Path 1 and for Destination 2 to take Path 2. I could of course also take Path 1 to go to Destination 2 and Path 2 to go to Destination 1.
On the assumption that I want to minimize the distance walked and energy expended to the intended destination then it is logical to take Path 1 for Destination 1 and Path 2 for Destination 2.
Between the two paths Path 1 allows you to step off the escalator more smoothly while minimizing the gravitational force impact on the knee. On the other hand Path 2 exerts a more sudden, stronger force on your knee because of the sudden change in direction. You can try out this experiment for yourself to feel what it is like.
In the study of Tai Chi we examine such issues because we do not want to hurt our knees by practicing movements that have adverse impact in the long run. For some students such impact on the knee can be felt when they bend the knee (particularly the forward leg’s knee) too much, or stop too fast after a fast fajing technique.
I will leave you to think over how to solve the problem of taking Path 2 to Destination 2. Learning how to analyse an issue is part of learning how to learn. If you do not learn to think you will end up blindly accepting “teacher says” rather than learn to learn critically.
The discussion will continue in On Learning : Sub-Topic 1.2b Insights-2 here.