Smai Tawi to Njia Uhuru Kipura: The True Origins of the Triangle Pose

 

Blog 3: Smai Tawi to Njia Uhuru Kipura: The True Origins of the Triangle Pose

Many know the Triangle Pose from modern Yoga, but few realize its deeper roots in the Smai Tawi practice of Alkebulan (miscalled Africa) . Predating Yoga by over 2,000 years, this exercise embodies spiritual alignment, physical discipline, and cosmic connection. In Njia Uhuru Kipura , this pose is reimagined as part of a holistic system that preserves and celebrates its origins while integrating its benefits into a modern martial arts framework.

The Historical Foundations

The Smai Tawi practice of ancient Kemet (Egypt) was a spiritual and physical discipline deeply intertwined with the principles of balance and harmony. The pose now misattributed to Yoga's Triangle Pose was part of a ritual connecting practitioners to the divine through posture, breath, and focus.

Key elements include:

• Grounded Posture: Feet firmly rooted to the earth, symbolizing connection to ancestral strength.
• Geometric Precision: The body forms angles and lines that reflect cosmic order.
• Dynamic Flow: The pose is part of a larger sequence, emphasizing movement and stillness in harmony.

Preservation in Ifa Spiritual Practice

Ifa, a Yoruba spiritual tradition, preserved elements of this pose, embedding it into practices that align the body, mind, and spirit. The integration of these principles into Njia Uhuru Kipura ensures their survival and relevance.

Applications in Njia Uhuru Kipura

In the context of Kipura:

• Combat Readiness: The pose strengthens core stability and spatial awareness.
• Breath Control: Enhances focus and calm under pressure.
• Cultural Reverence: Honors Alkebulan's rich heritage, reaffirming its influence on global practices.

Here’s the expanded list of sources, incorporating books and articles that demonstrate the mental and physical benefits of movement training, chiropractic alignment, applied kinesiology, and meditation:

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Sources

1. Cheikh Anta Diop. The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality

   • Diop’s work explores Africa’s foundational contributions to science and biomechanics, grounding the discussion in historical context.

2. Assunção, Matthias Röhrig. Capoeira: A History of an Afro-Brazilian Martial Art

   • Explores Capoeira’s roots in African martial traditions, focusing on physical and mental adaptability in combat.

3. Chancellor Williams. The Destruction of Black Civilization

   • Highlights the resilience and continuity of African intellectual and cultural traditions, including martial arts and their applications.

4. Molefi Kete Asante. Afrocentricity: The Theory of Social Change

   • Discusses the cultural and cognitive benefits of reclaiming African-centered movement and martial practices.

5. Gray Cook. Movement: Functional Movement Systems

   • A modern exploration of how biomechanics and functional movement training improve overall mental and physical performance.

6. Mwalimu Mtaalam Ras Fletcher. The Principles of Njia Uhuru Kipura

   • Directly addresses the integration of biomechanics, strategy, and spirituality in weapon deployment and other Kipura techniques.

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New Books and Articles

7. John Ratey, MD. Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

   • Explores the profound impact of physical activity on brain function, including enhanced focus, learning, and mental health.

8. David Seaman. Clinical Applications of Chiropractic Biomechanics and Kinesiology (Journal Article)

   • Highlights how proper chiropractic alignment improves both physical and mental performance through biomechanical efficiency.

9. George J. Goodheart. Applied Kinesiology: The Scientific Basis for the Therapeutic Approach

   • The foundational text on applied kinesiology, detailing how body alignment and movement stimulate neural and cognitive functions.

10. Jon Kabat-Zinn. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

    • Discusses how mindfulness meditation improves focus, emotional regulation, and overall mental health.

11. Sara Lazar, et al. Meditation Experience is Associated with Increased Cortical Thickness (NeuroReport, 2005)

    • This landmark study shows how meditation leads to physical changes in the brain, improving memory, focus, and emotional balance.

12. Kelly McGonigal. The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It

    • Explains how mindfulness and meditation enhance mental discipline, resilience, and decision-making.

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This comprehensive list now includes key references across African history, martial arts, biomechanics, kinesiology, and the mental benefits of physical and meditative practices, providing a holistic foundation for the blog.