Study Guide to Taijiquan Fajin (Fa Chin ... or 'Fa Jing') - Part Two

By , on November 22nd, 2011

The most popular topic of reading & discussion on this website is tai chi “fajing” (a technically incorrect spelling / concept). As such, I am going to build & refine this extensive online fajin study guide, for my fellow taijiquan enthusiasts to consider and comment.

Before I provide some of my own analysis on several fajin demos of accomplished taijiquan masters … we need to review the basics.

Cheng Man Ching's Fajin (or "Fajing")

The Basics of Taiji Fajin

First of all, the “correct” translation would be taiji fajin (pinyin) … tai chi fa chin (Wade-Giles) … or 太極發勁 (Mandarin).

I get the impression — quite often — that many western taiji practitioners feel that “fa jin” is …

[continue reading Study Guide to Taijiquan Fajin (Fa Chin … or ‘Fa Jing’) – Part Two …]

November 22nd, 2011 | Category: Tai Chi Applications (Taiji Yongfa), Tai Chi Fa Chin (Taiji Fajin), Taijiquan Masters of the Past, Tony Ho (Anthony Ho Nan Jie) | 5 comments

Developing Fa Jin (Fajing or Fa Chin) - Part One

By , on February 12th, 2010

I know there is a lot of interest out there on the tai chi fajin training and developing fa jin (also seen spelled as fa chin or fajing [which is wrong... keep reading]). What exactly is a fajin? Simply, “fa jin” means to issue force/ power. Many confuse this concept with what a “fa jing,” an incorrect translation, would mean, which is a transfer or release of “jing.” As many practitioners of Chinese arts are aware, “jing” means literally our ‘essence’ or ‘life-force.’ It seems that because of this common mis-translation, many have imagined the fajin to be some mystical issuance of intangible energy. This is far from the case!

In actuality, a fajin is just a very well co-ordinated release of good old fashioned Newtonian power. Granted, the way a taiji player uses the body to issue this force may make it seem mystical or mysterious when you watch, it is in …

[continue reading Developing Fa Jin (Fajing or Fa Chin) – Part One …]

February 12th, 2010 | Category: Tai Chi Fa Chin (Taiji Fajin) | 5 comments