Analogy of how to keep one's back straight

After saying goodbye to wushu, it is hello taiji. We went for our first class last Sunday. I was a little worried beforehand on the quality of CC teachers but thankfully the teacher was very experienced and sincere. Besides sharing the movemenets, he shared the theoretical side of the martial art form, especially how it helps in wellbeing and health.

I remember an excellent analogy he used.

To remind practitioners to keep their backs straight, the typical example given is to imagine one's hair is being pulled up. But for someone who has never had such an experience, it is quite difficult to imagine.

But this teacher had an interesting analogy with a local flavour. He said to imagine you are a kaciam puteh seller. I am quite fortunate to have observed, in my very very tender years, the vanishing sight of a kaciam puteh man, head-dress and all, balancing the 1 metre diameter tray on top of his head.

Now, that's easy to imagine. And you better keep that back straight.