3 levels

[windwalker099166 15]

“Without Center, there can be no Balance. Without Balance, there can be no power.” – Master Wang

The Seven Principles of Taiji Practice
Relaxation, Center, Concentration, Circle, Proportion, Balance, Coordination.

 

[windwalker099166 15]

Adam Xu, makes an important point about training progression: softness is not taught at the beginning. It appears after a practitioner gains real proficiency in the basics.

Softness often misunderstood as relaxation or lack of structure. In practice, softness only emerges when alignment, coordination, and integration are already present. Without that foundation, “softness” is just collapse.

 

[Kung Fu Wang167 197]

Adam Hsu used to say, "If you have 3 baskets, beginner, intermediate, and advanced, can you throw all your techniques into these 3 different baskets?"

For punching techniques, I like to categorize:

Beginner - static punch. You train bottom -> up and back -> forward.

Intermediate - dynamic punch. You train footwork along with punch.

Advance - dynamic 1st punch set up 2nd punch. You train offense -> counter -> offense again along with footwork.

 

[Xue Sheng156 10]

Xingyiquan 3 levels.
(From AI)

• Mingjin (明劲 - Hard Power): Initial training focuses on rigid, direct power, often practiced with the Five Elements Fists to build foundational strength and structure.
• Anjin (暗劲 - Hidden Power): Once the body is aligned, the practitioner learns to generate power that is not outwardly visible, using internal coordination, intention (Yi), and breath to create sudden, explosive force (Fajin).
• Huajin (化劲 - Transforming Power): The highest level, where the practitioner can neutralize or absorb an opponent’s incoming force and redirect it, rather than just colliding with it