Hard to believe this clip was nearly two years ago! The reason I am putting it up is to show my students the difference between Level 1 practise compared to Level 2 (of the 3 that my master Grandmaster Gou splits Chen Tai Chi up into). In this clip I am doing end of Level 1 - Large open movements with Long energy originating from the simpler circles of the shoulders, kua, waist and the block parts of arms, body and legs. What we call 'Big/Larger Circles' The explosive movements of the punches and kicks etc are also expressed as long energy and are relatively weak. My master says the feeling of Level 1 Fajin is like a whip or a dead weight at the end of a piece of rope or string. As you throw it out it is flowing freely, with motivation from the floor up through the body - like the movement of a whip from its handle - and then has a sudden 'thud' at the end before becoming loose again. In the clip whole body movement is apparent and smooth but with too much externalisation of Tai Ji principles (up & down, open & close etc etc) showing in a slight bobbing up and down motion. The principles are there however. At the start of Level two we begin to generate circles from deep inside the chest, abdomen, shoulders and upper back and become more aware of the internal drive through the legs and arms and the joints in between. Creating smaller but stronger spirals and circles within the body that we then call 'medium circles'. Ones that naturally join together inside and move at the same time. The hardness and softness (and expression of the 8 energies) begin to work in a more simultaneous and balanced way, which then expresses themselves outwardly into the extremities. Level 2 also gives rise to the ability of being able to move much faster and uphold principles under pressure (of an opponent) Fajin is quicker, shorter and stronger, kind of like a spring being pressed in to create compression and then rapidly being allowed to return to its natural state. I will record something soon to show Level 2 aspects. Peace.
Paul Lockyer is a 12th Generation Chen Tai Ji Disciple under the tutelage of Grandmaster Gou Kongjie an 11th Generation Lineage holder of Chen Tai Ji as one of the last students of Chen Zhoa Kui
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