Yuxin Liu

Tai Ji State i

by Yuxin Liu on 2024/09/15

The Tai Ji state we are talking about has two parts. One part is concrete, and the other part is abstract. Both are real, not imaginary.

The first part is concrete, mainly in these three aspects of structure, energy alignment and speed. The abstract part is the overall coordinated structure, please refer to the article of Mr. Sun Zhonghua linked at the end of this article.

In terms of structure, the foundations and forms of our Taiji (the author analyzes based on Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method and Hunyuan Taiji) are different from those of other styles. Some of these differences are external, but subtle and difficult to detect. Some are internal and even more difficult to see.

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang

All martial arts styles require balance in movement and structure, but external martial arts can achieve balance with power. Taijiquan strictly requires balance to be achieved without external force as much as possible. Therefore, this style can be practiced in the same way until old age.

The special requirements of Taiji structure are even more stringent on angles. This requirement forces practitioners to make principled adjustments (re-calibrations) to every part of the body. One result of this is that one aspect of Tai Ji Kung Fu comes from the concept of two-point alignment. Alignment (and aiming accuracy) is also a point that enables the elderly to practice useful Kung Fu.

With the accurate arrangement of the positions of body parts and strict angle requirements between parts, the practice of foundations and routines will make the energy alignment smooth. Grandmaster Hong Junsheng compared this to laying railway tracks. With tracks, trains can run smoothly and effortlessly.

With the structure and movements, under the guidance of the teacher, the practice of routines will use the big concept of rhythm to train fast and slow alternating, resulting speed difference, time difference, rhythm difference, etc, which is unique to Taiji, so as to fully utilize space through time. This type of movement is some folding. The practice of methods such as taking out space, adjusting angles, grasping rhythm, etc. will eventually allow students to obtain time difference as a type of Kung Fu.

Through the above three unique methods, we will eventually practice a unique martial art-Taijiquan. This type of martial art is slightly different from other styles in appearance under the big techniques and same principles, and completely different from other styles in connotation. It is essentially not in the same dimension as other styles. This is what we call the Tai Ji state!

Tai Ji State by Sun Zhonghua

Original post in Chinese by Master Chen Zhonghua. Translation-Yuxin Liu

What Is “No Move” i

by Yuxin Liu on 2024/09/14

“No Move” is the cornerstone of Chen Zhonghua’s Practical Method Chen Style Taijiquan. It is the final stage of the six-word secret of Practical Method training steps [open the kua, rotate, don’t move]. There are many meanings and execution methods of No Move.

No Move can be divided into three categories:

No Move 1. It is [real no move] like a screw fixed on the floor. The mountain is not moving, the ground is not moving, and the house is not moving. When practicing forms, when you come to a fixed posture, your feet are not moving. You must be able to keep your feet, hands, and head still, and only move these five points (five points struggling outwards). Only moving the inside is the highest requirement of Practical Method. Of course, it can be seen that this is almost impossible! Let’s focus on one specific movement. We can first practice shoulder no move: in with elbow, the shoulder is No Move type 1.
This type of No Move is collectively called [real no move].

No Move 2: The second is the movement that does not derail like a train on the track. The middle handle of the by-folding door seems to be able to move freely, and the no move that runs along the air track without a physical track is also the case. This is moving with a trajectory.
Satellites revolve around the earth in the orbit, and this kind of movement is no move. Rockets running along a set trajectory in the air is also called no move.
In the specific movements of Practical Method, in with elbow, the elbow is No Move type 2. The movement of the elbow is an active movement with leading force, which we collectively call it [no move].

No Move 3: Three is that you sit on the train without moving, but you quickly arrive in Beijing from your hometown station. This is a relative movement. The earth revolves around the sun every day, but we live on the earth and don’t know it, which is also a kind of no move. In with elbow, the hand is No Move type 3, which we collectively call it [no self-move]

From a local perspective, every time we do a movement, we must first distinguish which part of our body is this movement from. Then determine the three specific body parts of No Move 1, No Move 2, and No Move 3 in this part.

The same terms are:
Don’t move
Not moving at all
Don’t move at all
Really don’t move
Can’t move at all

Original post in Chinese by Master Chen Zhonghua. Translation-Yuxin Liu

Dantian Positioning i

by Yuxin Liu on 2024/08/11

Point to point, line to line, surface to surface, body to body, static in motion

Term: Dantian positioning
Related terms: positioning, fix a dot, don’t move

Dantian should be fixed without moving, while the rest of the body can move. Then find the relationship (connecting line) between the moving part and Dantian. The moving part will have gong, and there will be power. The power found in this way, is yin yang jin(power), which is the unique power pursued by Practical Method.

The power of our Taijiquan is based on the results of any kind of force (force, brute force, strength, gong) of one part having relationship with another part. A distinctive feature of this unique power is that it is indirect. This indirect power is Tai Ji Jin.

Without the positioning of the dantian, all the power, no matter how we name them, are not the Tai Ji Jin we want.

The positioning of the dantian is not necessarily at the location of the dantian. Those who master this technique can position any body parts, or any dots in the air.

Dantian positioning is a general term, general concept and general technical guidance for this training method of Taijiquan. In Practical Method, dantian is defined as a point in the middle of the forearm. Let’s first treat the forearm as the whole body to practice, experience, and experiment. When successful, extend to the whole body. In the whole body, Dantian is three inches below the abdomen.

Original post in Chinese by Master Chen Zhonghua. Translation-Yuxin Liu

Notes for 2024 Queenstown(NZ) Workshop with Master Chen Zhonghua i

by Yuxin Liu on 2024/03/14

2.29 
Train elastic power using Fall into Split. For me, I shouldn’t squat to the bottom, but a few inches above the lowest point, stay at that hight and shake up and down from the kua. 

3.1 
Train with rubber band. Pull the band to the right distance with elbow high, then train in with elbow. Once the elbow cannot move any further, drive the foot into the ground and use the front kua. 

The transfer from front kua to rear kua in Six Sealing Four Closing.

In Glenorchy, we all videoed our Yilu. Shifu commented I still have small wiggling moves in my body, and the power cannot be transferred from the feet to the hands.

3.2-3.3 Workshop 

Ningmaojin (Twisting the towel). Lock the forearm as one piece, use the elbow to drive the forearm.
Pair training. The partner gives resistance, first use elbow, get stuck, then use the spine/dantian. Shifu touched my mingmen and right away I can feel power from kua and the middle rod able to rotate.

Nian, 捻/碾, grinding. Push the elbows to the ribs, rub the waist with elbows causing the centre to rotate. The external drives the internal. Later on, the internal can drive the external, Dantian/central rod drives the elbows. Two gears. Demonstrate with two flasks and a piece of paper.

Six Sealing Four Closing. I held shifu’s forearm. Shifu put my front elbow in position and that was very uncomfortable, feels like it is a position I haven’t trained on. Once in position, shifu asked me to use my rear elbow, lock, then turn with the waist. 
Train Six Sealing Four Closing in moving steps. The angle of front hand and rear foot should be aligned. My waist turned too much. It stayed horizontal and there was no power transfer. The power dissipates, there is no bite of the gears. The horizontal move need transfer down to the feet. 

Train Pounch Covering Hand with rubber band. Lock everything, drive with the kua and grind the foot. 
Taiji symbol, Taiji principles. Open triangle. 

3.4 
Application for Flash the Back. When I move the back, the front is also moving. My body needs to be in an awkward position and be able to lock in space. 

Wall pushing. To open and stretch Dazhui 大椎（cervical spine）, 尾闾 the coccyx and the back of the knee. The partner to push you in any angle. The body is expanded and full.

The difficult part is if you can let it go after you gain the ability. Then there is a possibility for next level. When only using the arms works, let go of the arms and try to use other parts.

Changun缠棍。Three dots interchanging. The stick will stay in place only rotate.

Shaking the pole. Hold it the other way around to train. The rear arm is always rubbing the body, use a piece of leather there.

Try with shifu negative circle. Kua filled up in position, shoulder goes down, out with hand.

Bie in half horse stance. Front foot out, front knee in, front kua up, rear kua back and down, rear knee up and out, rear foot in. 

Dimension (layer) i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/05/24

Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method employs 5 dimensions (layers). These 5 dimensions make up all the action combinations of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. The “dimension” here is different from the scientific definition, more like the “plane” in English. The 5 dimensions are: Read more

Momentum Force i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/03/25

Momentum force: A force with inertia. Momentum force is simply the force generated by movement. It is an active power. Sometimes this force is unstoppable. What we usually hear is “it’s hard to gather overwhelmed water”, and “the arrow sent out” is this kind of force. In the simplest terms, we throw a stone out, and once it’s out, although in the air, we are no longer able to change its direction or force. Synonyms: active force, dynamic force. Read more

Soft Inside, Hard Outside i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/03/24


Being soft inside and hard outside is a movement principle and concept of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method. Intuitively, the inside is soft, movable and active. The outside must be harder than the inside so that it can wrap things inside. Thus, the outside is fixed, passive, and a manifestation of the inside.
This feature is the opposite of the common sense of softness with rigidity, and needles hidden in cotton. The normal understanding of Taijiquan is that it looks soft like cotton, but there is hard steel hidden inside.
The “softness” of Chen Style Taijiquan Practical Method is hardness to the extreme is softness, not softness in the ordinary sense. At this point, it is likely to be different from other Taijiquan cognition. This is also a major feature of Practical Method. Read more

Hardness to the Extreme Is Softness 1

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/03/03


Hardness to the extreme is softness. Once it reaches the end, cannot be any harder, but soft.

This softness is actually very hard, fine and smooth, such as polished jade, polished stone, stainless steel surface, glass screen of mobile phone, etc.

From these examples, it can be seen that the softness of Taiji is not true softness, but an appearance of softness on the outside, it is actually hard and rigid. Read more

A General Discussion on Taiji Inner Strength Hardness and Softness Song (seven words and ten sentences) – Chen Xin i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/03/03

Chen Xin (1849-1929)The 16th generation of Chen Style Taijiquan, author of “Illustration of Chen Style Taijiquan”


Pure yin without yang is soft hand, pure yang without yin is hard hand;
One yin and nine yang is a stick, two yin and eight yang is Sanshou;
Three yin and seven yang still feels hard, four yin and six yang shows a good hand; Read more

Mutually Rooted Relationship i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/03/02

Chen Zhonghua Zhuanyong-Chen Zhonghua Block Touching Coat


Taijiquan has the saying that “yin and yang are mutually rooted”.
Wang Zongyue said, “Yin does not depart from yang, yang does not depart from yin. Yin and yang benefit mutually and this is the comprehension of energy”.
Zhou Dunyi of the Song Dynasty said in Taiji Illustration, “Wuji then taiji. Taiji moves and produces yang. Move to the extreme generates stillness, stillness produces yin, and stillness to the extreme generates moves again. Movement and stillness are the roots of each other. Once yin and yang are split, then there are two elementary parts.” Read more

Structural Force and Indirect Power i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/03/01

John Hudson-Silk reeling。


Structural force and indirect power are two different things, and at the same time two things that are not in one [dimension]. Read more

Middle and Index Finger Relationship i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/02/26

Middle finger: leading the energy

Index finger: issuing the power Read more

Hand-Elbow Relationship i Glossary and terms

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/02/22

Grandmaster Feng Zhiqiang

Terminology: Hand-elbow relationship
Related terms: elbow in hand, hand on elbow; seven-inch knife; sit the wrist; forearm as a stick.
[In with elbow, no hand; out with hand, no elbow] This movement principle is a major contribution of Grandmaster Hong Junsheng to Taijiquan. This Taijiquan [Ten-word adage] clearly illustrates the importance of the relationship between the hand and elbow. Read more

Taijiquan Principle, Concept and Action i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/02/12

Taijiquan
The soul is yin yang separation.
Everything must conform to this general principle. Yin yang separation is peng. Read more

True Knowing i

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/02/12

Chen Zhonghua in Sedona 2012


True knowing
Read more

Understanding the Energy (part one) 5

by Yuxin Liu on 2022/01/26

In push hands, the first thing we need to do is to have peng energy. What does this mean? It requires us to be able to lock the opponent on the touch, confront him, without showing any disadvantages. We mustn’t show any weakness at the first place. Only like this, we will have the confidence to win.
What is confidence? Confidence is real gong fu. Without it, there is no use if you just feel good about yourself. How to gain real gong fu? Of course it is through years of training.

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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 23rd and 24th Sept 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/09/26

23rd:
Three iron hat. Head(fixed), shoulder/waist/kua(can be flexible), knee. Make sure the power is not leaked out. Big inside moves, outside is locked, so the power is contained, compressed and trapped, and it goes back to the floor. Move with pressure is the training.
Kua and elbow. When the kua is indented/short, we tend to overdo the elbow(too straight). The buttock should be hidden under by filling the kua. Read more

The Relationship Between Yilu, Erlu And Taijiquan i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/09/20

Chen Zhonghua Zhuanyong-Chen Zhonghua Block Touching Coat

Yilu trains the body in a soft way
Erlu trains the techniques in a vigorous way
With both combined, then you know Taijiquan
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 9th&10th Sept 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/09/12

9th
Exercise: open triangle model with head, buttock and knee. Head and knees have to be in the same vertical line, can place on the wall as reference, and only pull the buttock back. The whole back has to be straight like one line of the triangle, mingmen is pulled out. Chest, torso and thigh have to stretch to go over a threshold. Common mistake, sway back, head leaves the line. Read more

The “Relationship” in Taiji i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/09/09

Chen Zhonghua Zhuanyong-Punch Cover Hand

Master Chen Zhonghua demonstrates Punch Covering Hand in front of Yulan Pavilion. Observe again and again the relationship between the fist, kua, knees, head, shoulders etc. and dantian shown in the picture. Read more

Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 3rd Sept 2021-Yuxin Liu 1

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/09/03

Lotus kick. Head, L foot locked, both shoulders down, kua need be loose to create speed like a whip.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 24th Aug 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/08/26

Master showed a short video in one of his workshops in Xi’an China in 2018. The topic is to open from inside.
Open triangle model, which only exists in theory, in reality, the angle of the shoulder is 45 degree opening downwards, and the kua is 45 degree opening upwards from the crest line. A typical move in the forms is the armpit opening in double downward squeeze.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 19th Aug 2021-Yuxin Liu 1

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/08/21

A good question is alreday the answer. A bad question is unrelated.
Question: how to fight a big guy without using muscles?
Don’t use muscles. The problem is you don’t know how to. 1.you need to fight,2.you cannot use muscles,3.there is sth you can use but you don’t know yet. Read more

Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 17th Aug 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/08/18

The final thing of learning, one piece of puzzle making the difference. 99% leaving on your own to learn, one piece from the teacher. Master Chen went through everyone to find one thing to improve.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 12th Aug 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/08/14

Train the shoulders to disappear. Target training with exaggerated moves. Positive circle, make sure the front shoulder does not pop. In with elbow, rear shoulder goes up;out with hand, sink the front shoulder and cave in the chest. Eventually, in with elbow is connected to the kua/dantian/foot, not the shoulders.When your mind is not on the shoulder, when you forget about it, it is relaxed.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 6th Aug 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/08/07

Avoid tossing. One way is to do moves as if you are fighting and use power in it. Going over in the joints makes the noise of gedeng（咯噔），two metal with rubber on it.
Avoid injuries in the joints. Whenever issue power, it is a stretch, not a squeeze/compress. The only compression is the hand to the opponent and the foot to the floor, others only stretch. Like the spring or a shaft. Damage will happen because it is leaking sideways or there is no consistency. Example: the Japanese sword made with seven pieces welted together. Each part has its specialized cutting skill ie. how and what kind of material to cut. The joints work the same way. Each bone has different functions. The joints need open up to issue power, which may cause compression in other joints. Taiji has specific crooked body positions. The eight techniques: four cardinals and four diagonals. The four diagonals are not on the same plane but three dimensional crossed on different angles in space, which is what we train. It is crooked. Like when you cut veggies, and there is a type that you have to adjust the knife into different angles all the time to cut. The diagonals are the corners/45 degrees in application, power goes to the joints and it is crooked. You train the twist, in use it is a flow, but causing the opponents’ joints to be crooked.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 5th Aug 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/08/07

Find and feel a line in the body. Produce a stick,can be long or short. At the beginning find the longest and then you can use part of it. In positive circle, sink the front shoulder towards the rear foot. Change the angle and make the shoulder disappear. Exaggerate. We are not doing it and we think we are doing it. It should be obvious that the teacher can see. To feel what going down means. When the kids fight, how do they go down? Read more

Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 30th July 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/08/02

Train fajin, don’t care about the forms. Focus, purpose. Follow instructions and hold onto it, forget about everything else. The focus point must be so obvious can be seen by others.
If the shoulders are too big, the elbow will not come out. If the kua goes down with the moves, there is no separation. If you move, there must be sth not move; if you move, sth moves to the opposite.
Read more

Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 29th July 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/31

Rhythm. Human-butterfly. Combination of actions. Special overall pattern. English accent.
Go over. If the body is not separated, you cannot lock one part, and therefore there is no going over. When it is linked, it is not going over. Trunk is one piece, like an iron board. You can go over with your actual joints. Or anything that is straight, you can create a joint/pivot, a spot in space outside the body.To go over/climb over or open the door.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 23rd-25th July 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/26

Observation notes from part of the Iowa camp.

Theory and forms. 1.Yin yang sepatation; 2.The in and out. In with elbow(dantian), out with hand. To come in, has to be led by the inside; to go out, has to be led by the outside. Five points and dantian. 3.The middle (dantian/central axis) rotates.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 23rd July 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/25

The top is the top, the bottom is the bottom, the left is not the right, the right is not the left, the middle is right in the center. Same for outside and inside.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 22nd July 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/25

Application is not fighting, it is the meaning.
Stories.1996 in Shaolin Temple.The show performed by the personal team of the abbot.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 16th July 2021 – Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/19

Liu Baojun how to teach kids Taiji.Education sell people. Master Chen Zhonghua’s high school, changed from an art school to academic school in three years. Take the risk. Master did demonstrations at schools twice every year for ten years. Be consistent. Some of them might come to Taiji when they grow up. It is a hard thing to invest in culture. Master Chen taught 500,000 people and now he has about 200 students. Appreciate and value your students. At least someone keeps going, so the style does not die out.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 14th July, 2021 – Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/14

Rotation. Connection. Active and passive. Movements are from the rotation of the core, the shoulders are coordinating, not adding or losing, transferring the power to the arms. The rotation of the core is the glue in Taiji, it ties with the 5 threads. As it rotates, the lines adapt and change, silk reeling, functions with different directions are the eight techniques. Examples: Front trick and rear trick. Part the wild horse mane. The core, from a vertical rod to dantian, a ball. It is easier to manipulate to pull the rope. Once you are able to maneuver, the body is integral, instead of scattered or loose. Master Chen showed the difference between rotation and tossing. Example: Cloud hands. Moving the rod and the bar in a T bar are different. At the beginning the integrity is visual but later it is power. Read more

Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 7th July – Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/09

3 years learning in the old time(学徒关系) is about 3 months full time training nowadays. The first 3 years is like the university, 7-10 years is the master degree, and after that, it depends on the situation.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 30th June 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/07/01

The lead. Every move is led by an axis/core movement. No wobbling. BWAPTM. 1. elbow leading;2. Baihui-huiyin axis 3. two knees. Block touching coat. Body/central axis rotation leads the movements. Cross the wrists, rotate. Open the arms, lock, rotate. Two moves Master Chen Zhonghua often practices: 1. rotate the forearm on its own vertical axis; 2. standing with arms relaxed, rotate the central axis. Horizontal and vertical rotations.
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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 16th June 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/06/19

Exercise: hold a ball in space, not moving, and move the rest part of the body freely.

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Duanwu Festival-Chinese Culture 1

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/06/12

Duanwu Festival, also known as Dragon Boat Festival, is one of the four most celebrated traditional festivals in China. It is on the 5th day of the 5th month of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. The exact date varies from year to year on the western calendar. This year it is on Monday the 14th June.

Duanwu Festival

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Online Lesson with Master Chen Zhonghua 9th June, 2021-Yuxin Liu i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/06/11

Turning of the joints. The shoulder position in out with hand in positive circle. Lock the elbow, loose the shoulder. When the opponent does six sealing four closing on your elbow, how to resolve the elbow. The shoulder does not move, only rotate (single whip). The energy should shoot from the shoulder out through the hand, cannot go sideways, the hand is driven forward. Bit and brace, move from inside out. 节节贯穿。Go through, connected moves. Ground dragon, 缠丝功。
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Daqingshan Scenery June 2021 i

by Yuxin Liu on 2021/06/06

Wang Ting Hotel on Daqingshan

Chang Xing Training Hall inside Wang Ting Hotel

Taiji families DQS 20210604

Every day is different. DQS 20210604


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