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The song of the thirteen principles.
Author Unknown
Reorganized and Translated by Master Daniel R. Segarra


What is the purpose and philosophy behind the martial arts?
1-Living Masterfully, rejuvenation and prolonging of life beyond the normal span.
So an eternal spring.

What is the main principle of the martial arts?
2-The mind is the master of the body.

3-To pass through the gate and be shown the way,
you must be taught by an instructor.
Gradually when you apply these principles in your life, more and more your skill will develop naturally.

4- Hold your head as if suspended from a string, keep the base of your spine and posture erect, your energy will rise to the top of your head.
5-Use that energy to create a relaxed clear awareness in your abdomen, your power will be activated.
6-Let that power flow through the whole body continuously

7-Keep your body flexible and ready.
8-Remember at all times pay attention to your center.

9-When you move be natural, bending, stretching, opening or closing, let nature take its course.
10-Remember the source of your power is in your waist, center the mind in the waist.
11-Pay attention to the slightest change from full to empty.

12-When you move give awareness and purpose to every movement,
Your energy will flow through those movements
and surprising things will happen when you meet your opponent.

13-Stay alert and seek the meaning and purpose of your art at all times;
Stillness embodies motion, motion stillness.
Seek stillness in motion.
When done correctly all you do will appear effortless and masterful.

So never neglect any of the thirteen principles.
Every word of this song has enormous value and importance,
failing to follow this song attentively, you will have wasted away your time.

*Translators note; the 13 principles are thirteen kinetic energies produced by moving the hips (8 directions) and the feet (five steps 5+8=13). I numbered this poem and broke down it's vital elements into 13 principles to help anyone wanting to study this further.