Practical Illusion
 |
This is a simple example to show the magic of
harmony, rhythm and illusion. |
Pencil Example
Take a pencil about 8 to 10 inches long, the standard
length. Hold it in the centre, between the index finger and the
thumb. The index finger will be above the thumb, and the pencil
is almost parallel to the ground. Next move the pencil in three
directions.
a) Simply up and down
b) Diagonally from your up and right side, to down and left.
c) At the same time let the ends of the pencil oscillate up and
down around the point of hold, i.e. around the centre which is at
the point where the pencil is held. The hold on the pencil is
light.
 |
Simply let the pencil first oscillate at a regular
rhythm that's comfortable to you. Once this start
happening, introduce the up and down movement, without
break in the rhythm. Keep watching the pencil and the
bending of the pencil will occur intermittently, as if it
were made of some flexible material like the elastic
rubber. Next slightly give it the diagonal motion and it
will tend to bend a little more and for longer a time. |
 |
Once this is achieved, the next step is to reduce the
force gradually and continuously till the efforts are
bare minimal and you get the technique. |
Hint
The ones finding it difficult can hold the pencil
lightly, at one end and repeat all of above procedures. Initially
you might require oscillating the pencil a little faster. However
once you get the idea it is important to reduce the speed and to
gradually shift the hold to almost at the centre of the pencil.
Significance
This is also the pattern used to teach dancing. Dancing
is body movement that is very complex. So when teaching it's
easier to break down the complex movements into bare basics, and
then slowly to introduce the other allied movements, that all go
together to give what we call "The Dancing".
