08/22/2022
A Very Common Term ............inside of The Ta CHi World Is ( KWA aka KUA ).
Kwa (kua)..............The kwa encompasses more than the ball-and-socket hip joint, and takes in the whole hip area, centering at the inguinal crease. It includes the relationship between the thigh and the torso.
The kwa contains some of the strongest muscles in the body. It is the area that we use when we are serious about lifting something. We fold at the inguinal crease to activate a unified effort from our leg, back, abdominal, and buttock muscles.
The kwa, however, is much more than just strong muscles. We feel its influence throughout the body and on many systems. It can be compared to a gate valve controlling the volume of Chi in the body. When that valve opens, the whole body fills with Chi and when it is restricted, there is a major kink which clogs the hose.
Martial artist Bruce K. Frantzis explains the anatomy and physiology of the kua (kwa):
The kwa extends from the inguinal ligament through the inside of the pelvis to the top (crest) of the hip bones. Included within the kwa are (1) the left and right channels of energy; (2) the pelvis, including the hip joint; (3) the sacrum and first few lumbar vertebrae; (4) the iliopsoas muscle group; (5) the adductor muscles; (6) the pelvic diaphragms (the health of which is essential to sexual vitality); (7) the lower intestine; and (😎 the re**um.
The muscles of the kwa connect the legs to the spine; the iliopsoas connects the lumbar vertebrae to the pelvis and femur (thigh bone), and the adductors connect the pelvis to the femur. The springiness of the spine and legs is partially determined by the elasticity of the iliopsoas muscles. Many lower back problems are caused by stiffness, spasm, or trauma in the iliopsoas muscles.
At the inguinal groove, the largest collection of lymph nodes in the body can be found. Lymph is a critical component of the body’s immune response system. Unlike blood, which is moved by the heart and vascular system, lymph is basically moved by muscular contractions. Nature is very wise—every time we walk or move our legs and arms, large lymph collectors (at the inguinal groove, or in the armpits, for example) are activated, thus moving our lymph.… Increasing the movement of the internal elements of the kwa is one of the most significant and unique contributions to health of all the Chi-enhancing body practices.
Quoted from Bruce K. Frantzis, Opening the Energy Gates Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 1993.
