Put a Spring in Your Hop: Fast Track with Seijaku

This is an introduction to Fast Track as taught by Justin Stone. T’ai Chi Chih (TCC) is done at regular speed, like slow motion in a dream. Seijaku/Heightened Awareness is slower and involves very careful awareness of each movement’s form. Fast Track is done faster than TCC. Can you maintain the form and principles of the movements when the speed is increased? Fast Track teaches us to stay in our feet. The Buddha says, “The man, woman, and child who can keep their attention in the bottoms of their feet whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down can heal a thousand ills.”

Justin asked that both Seijaku and Fast Track be kept an oral tradition. Justin’s video of Seijaku explains Seijaku and maintains the oral tradition.

The complete practice as taught by Justin is: three TCC, three Seijaku, and three Fast Track. Doing a practice that includes all three approaches (TCC, Seijaku and FT) produces an amazing flow of energy and brings us into a keen awareness of the principles, flow, and benefits of each movement. Justin was well aware, as he explained when teaching T’ai Chi Chih and Seijaku/Fast Track Teacher Trainings, that not everyone would be ready (or capable) to integrate all three practices. Justin often used the example of an airline pilot and said, “Just because you would like to be a pilot doesn’t mean you are capable of it.” He was asked by some with university degrees, “Don’t you think I am smart enough?” He replied, “It has nothing to do with how intelligent you are.” Justin also said, “Teach Seijaku and Fast Track only to your best students.” It is highly recommended that everyone who is ready, should make their best effort to learn Seijaku and Fast Track. The benefits go far beyond words and explaining, and they are worth the effort.

These four representative movements show how Fast Track is integrated into most movements, with and without the hop: Rocking Motion has no hop, but it is done at a faster speed. It is an excellent example of the three speeds we will be using as we move. Push Pull still has a 60-40emphasis. Perpetual Motion has a longer pull, as we begin to move hands and fingertips from elbow to elbow. Passing Clouds has the hip swivel which is so very important to all the side-to-side movements.

Movements without Fast Track: Bird Flaps Its Wings; Light at the Top of the Head/Light at the Temple; Joyous Breath (which is already Seijaku style in TCC and uses the strong breath used throughout Seijaku. In fact, it could be considered the parent of Seijaku); Six Healing Sounds; Cosmic Consciousness Pose (both TCC and Seijaku style are done for one minute each).

What is accomplished by doing Fast Track? Many things, including:

– the practitioner reaching a new level of understanding of each movement;

– the practitioner developing a greater awareness of their gaps in applying TCC principles to the movements;

– softness and continuity;

– feeling strong and soft;

– greater awareness of the connection between the tan t’ien and the bottoms of the feet;

– yin and yang, balancing hands and feet, upper and lower body, with the waist being your distribution point, including the left and right side;

– use of the hip swivel in all side-to-side movements.

– it is not fastness for fastness sake, but rather can you maintain the principles while working at a different level of speed? What happens to your awareness?

I wish you good luck with your practice.