Laojia Erlu Explained: The Explosive Power of Chen Style Tai Chi
After years of practicing Laojia Yilu (Old Frame First Routine), many Chen Style Tai Chi students look forward to learning Laojia Erlu (老架二路), the Old Frame Second Routine. Often known by its traditional name Paochui (炮捶), or Cannon Fist, Erlu is one of the most exciting parts of the Chen Tai Chi curriculum.
At first glance, Erlu looks very different from Yilu. The movements are faster, more energetic, and contain frequent expressions of fajin (發勁)—the explosive release of whole-body power. There are jumps, stomps, quick changes of pace, and a more obvious martial character.
Despite these differences, Erlu is not a separate system.
It is the natural continuation of everything learned in Yilu.
At Dragon Phoenix, Chen Style Tai Chi is taught as a complete traditional martial art. Students first build their foundation through Laojia Yilu before progressing to Erlu, where those same principles are expressed with greater intensity and martial application.
What Does Laojia Erlu Mean?
The name is straightforward.
Laojia (老架) means Old Frame or Old Structure.
Er (二) means Second.
Lu (路) means Road, Path, or Routine.
Together, the name is translated as Old Frame Second Routine.
The form is also widely known as Paochui (炮捶), often translated as Cannon Fist or Cannon Boxing.
The name "Cannon Fist" reflects the powerful, explosive quality of the form. Like the sudden force of a cannon, Erlu alternates periods of calm movement with rapid releases of energy.
Built on the Foundation of Yilu
One of the biggest misconceptions about Erlu is that it replaces Yilu.
Traditional Chen Tai Chi teaches exactly the opposite.
Everything in Erlu depends on the foundation established in Yilu.
Students first learn:
posture
body alignment
rooting
silk-reeling energy
relaxation
whole-body connection
coordinated movement
Only after these qualities become established can they be expressed dynamically.
Without the body mechanics of Yilu, Erlu easily becomes stiff, muscular, and disconnected.
With the proper foundation, the explosive movements remain relaxed, connected, and efficient.
Yilu teaches the body how to move.
Erlu teaches the body how to express that movement under martial intent.
What Makes Erlu Different?
The most obvious difference is tempo.
While Yilu is practiced primarily at a slow and even pace, Erlu changes rhythm constantly.
Slow movements suddenly become explosive.
Soft transitions become powerful strikes.
Calm movements transform into energetic expressions before returning to relaxation.
These changes teach students to remain relaxed until the exact moment power is needed.
The body never becomes tense simply because it moves quickly.
Instead, speed emerges from relaxation and connection.
Fajin: Explosive Issuing Power
Perhaps the defining feature of Erlu is its emphasis on fajin.
Fajin is often misunderstood as simply hitting hard.
In reality, fajin is the coordinated release of whole-body power.
The feet press into the ground.
The legs transmit force.
The waist directs the movement.
The torso remains connected.
The hands simply express the power already traveling through the body.
The result is an explosive movement generated by the entire body rather than isolated muscles.
Erlu contains many opportunities to develop this quality.
Students learn that true power does not require excessive tension.
The body remains relaxed until the instant power is released.
Fast Does Not Mean Rushed
Because Erlu contains faster movements, beginners sometimes assume the goal is speed.
It is not.
The goal is precision.
Every change of tempo has purpose.
Every explosive movement is supported by alignment.
Every fast technique grows from good body mechanics.
Moving quickly without connection simply creates sloppy movement.
The speed of Erlu comes naturally as the student's understanding deepens.
Martial Applications
Erlu makes the martial nature of Chen Tai Chi more obvious.
The form contains applications involving:
striking
elbow techniques
shoulder strikes
body checks
throws
sweeps
joint controls
powerful entries
Many techniques are linked together in combinations, teaching students how one movement naturally flows into the next.
Rather than isolated techniques, Erlu develops continuous martial expression.
The practitioner learns to remain balanced while changing between soft and hard, slow and fast, yielding and issuing power.
Silk-Reeling Never Disappears
Because Erlu is more dynamic, some people assume silk-reeling energy is less important.
The opposite is true.
The spiral body mechanics developed in Yilu remain present throughout Erlu.
Every explosive movement begins with continuous connection.
The body still moves as one unit.
The feet connect to the ground.
The waist leads.
The spirals remain intact.
Without silk-reeling, fajin loses much of its effectiveness.
Power becomes disconnected from the body.
This is why experienced teachers continue emphasizing the same principles throughout both forms.
Relaxation Creates Power
One of the most important lessons of Erlu is that relaxation and explosiveness are not opposites.
Many beginners tense their shoulders, arms, and chest when trying to move powerfully.
Erlu teaches something different.
The body remains relaxed.
Only the moment of issuing becomes explosive.
Immediately afterward, unnecessary tension disappears again.
This cycle of relaxation and expression allows practitioners to generate repeated power without exhausting themselves.
It is one of the defining characteristics of Chen Style Tai Chi.
Physical Benefits
Although Erlu is a martial form, it also develops many physical qualities.
Students build:
leg strength
coordination
balance
agility
flexibility
cardiovascular endurance
whole-body connection
Because the form changes tempo frequently, it challenges both physical conditioning and mental focus.
Students must remain calm while responding to constant changes in rhythm.
Why Students Continue Practicing Yilu
After learning Erlu, experienced practitioners do not stop practicing Yilu.
In fact, many teachers continue practicing both forms throughout their lives.
Yilu refines the foundation.
Erlu expresses it.
Each form improves the other.
The relaxation developed in Yilu improves Erlu.
The martial intention developed in Erlu deepens Yilu.
Together they create a complete understanding of Chen Style Tai Chi.
Training Erlu at Dragon Phoenix
At Dragon Phoenix, students begin with Laojia Yilu because every advanced skill depends upon that foundation. Only after developing posture, silk-reeling energy, body connection, and whole-body movement do students progress into Laojia Erlu.
This traditional progression allows students to understand not only how to perform the movements, but why they work.
Erlu becomes much more than a fast form.
It becomes a method of expressing the principles that have been quietly cultivated from the very beginning.
The Yin and Yang of Chen Tai Chi
Laojia Yilu and Laojia Erlu should never be viewed as separate forms competing for attention.
They are partners.
Yilu teaches relaxation.
Erlu teaches expression.
Yilu develops the foundation.
Erlu reveals its power.
Yilu cultivates continuity.
Erlu demonstrates change.
Together they embody the balance that lies at the heart of Chen Style Tai Chi.
At Dragon Phoenix, students are encouraged to see these forms not as two different routines, but as two chapters of the same story.
One teaches the body how to become connected.
The other teaches that connected body how to move with purpose.
Together they preserve the complete spirit of traditional Chen Tai Chi.