It is no exaggeration to say that without understanding jin, one can hardly step into the true world of Taiji.
Recently, I have watched many Taiji videos online. Most of them sound reasonable when explained verbally—the terminology is correct, the logic appears complete. However, the moment these ideas are demonstrated physically, fundamental problems become obvious.
The movements themselves are not oriented toward cultivating jin.
This is not a matter of small technical mistakes. It is a directional error, and at its root lies one central issue: a lack of real understanding of what jin actually is.
When Jin Is Not Understood, Practice Easily Goes Off Course
In real practice, certain patterns appear again and again.
Some practitioners emphasize “opposing pull,” and unconsciously practice with constant tension throughout the body. Some stress “power rising from the feet,” and end up locking the legs and stiffening the entire structure. Some speak of “silk-reeling,” but twist and coil excessively, creating internal blockage rather than continuity. Others demonstrate what they call “whole-body power,” yet their entire body is rigid, lacking any internal flow.
Although these approaches look different on the surface, they share the same underlying problem:
They use muscular force to imitate the appearance of jin.
If jin were truly understood, these problems would naturally disappear.
The Core Principle of Jin
Classical Taiji contains a fundamental principle:
“Jin is stored through curvature and containment, and therefore remains abundant.”
This single idea explains almost everything about internal power.
Curvature and containment do not mean twisting or bracing They refer to roundness, elasticity, and the ability to store energy
Abundance does not mean forceful output It means movement that does not exhaust the system
In other words:
Taiji jin is cultivated, not generated through exertion.
Jin Is Not Strength — It Is Vitality
True jin is not muscular strength, nor localized force. It is the natural outcome of an internally nourished system:
Sufficient essence (jing)
Smooth and abundant energy (qi)
Clear and stable awareness (shen)
When these conditions are present, jin emerges on its own.
To reach this state, one must develop the capacity to accumulate without depletion. This capacity is not acquired through pushing harder, but through long-term practice that trains the body to move while continuously conserving energy.
Over time, internal reserves grow, and jin becomes stable and enduring.
Why the Pursuit of “Absolute Strength” Misses the Point
Many practitioners work diligently, yet still go astray—not due to lack of effort, but because their goal is misguided.
They focus on:
Forcing power
Pushing from the legs
Bracing the structure
Pulling and opposing
This fixation on visible force is a natural consequence of not understanding jin.
If one’s goal is to develop absolute muscular strength, modern training systems—weightlifting, resistance training, athletics—are far more effective than Taiji.
Taiji was never designed to compete in that domain.
But if the goal is:
Internal robustness
Enhanced organ function
Long-term stability and resilience
A body that becomes lighter, stronger, and more efficient over time
Then few methods are as refined and intelligent as Taiji’s internal training.
Understanding Jin Clarifies What Is Correct and What Is Not
Once jin is truly understood, judgment becomes simple.
Practices that leave you increasingly tense, fatigued, and reliant on effort are not expressions of Taiji wisdom.
Practices that make you feel stronger, lighter, and more comfortable with time reflect authentic Taiji principles.
Where does this strength come from?
Not from force, but from movement that generates vitality without consuming it.
And where does the sense of lightness come from?
Not from deliberate relaxation, but from having sufficient internal power, which naturally makes the body feel free and unburdened.
A Classical Insight That Says It All
Sun Lutang once stated:
“All internal power is formed through gradual accumulation.”
Yet many practitioners overlook this truth.
They tighten the body, push forcefully, brace and strain—believing this to be progress— and remain trapped in external form, unable to move beyond appearances.
A Message for TaijiYun Practitioners
For those practicing within TaijiYun:
Take the time to truly understand jin.
When jin is understood:
You will not lose your direction
You will not be misled by persuasive but misguided explanations
And details will naturally align without force
Taiji begins with understanding jin. Without it, the door remains closed.
Why Without It, Taiji Cannot Truly Begin
It is no exaggeration to say that without understanding jin, one can hardly step into the true world of Taiji.
Recently, I have watched many Taiji videos online.
Most of them sound reasonable when explained verbally—the terminology is correct, the logic appears complete.
However, the moment these ideas are demonstrated physically, fundamental problems become obvious.
The movements themselves are not oriented toward cultivating jin.
This is not a matter of small technical mistakes.
It is a directional error, and at its root lies one central issue:
a lack of real understanding of what jin actually is.
When Jin Is Not Understood, Practice Easily Goes Off Course
In real practice, certain patterns appear again and again.
Some practitioners emphasize “opposing pull,” and unconsciously practice with constant tension throughout the body.
Some stress “power rising from the feet,” and end up locking the legs and stiffening the entire structure.
Some speak of “silk-reeling,” but twist and coil excessively, creating internal blockage rather than continuity.
Others demonstrate what they call “whole-body power,” yet their entire body is rigid, lacking any internal flow.
Although these approaches look different on the surface, they share the same underlying problem:
If jin were truly understood, these problems would naturally disappear.
The Core Principle of Jin
Classical Taiji contains a fundamental principle:
This single idea explains almost everything about internal power.
They refer to roundness, elasticity, and the ability to store energy
It means movement that does not exhaust the system
In other words:
Jin Is Not Strength — It Is Vitality
True jin is not muscular strength, nor localized force.
It is the natural outcome of an internally nourished system:
When these conditions are present, jin emerges on its own.
To reach this state, one must develop the capacity to accumulate without depletion.
This capacity is not acquired through pushing harder, but through long-term practice that trains the body to move while continuously conserving energy.
Over time, internal reserves grow, and jin becomes stable and enduring.
Why the Pursuit of “Absolute Strength” Misses the Point
Many practitioners work diligently, yet still go astray—not due to lack of effort, but because their goal is misguided.
They focus on:
This fixation on visible force is a natural consequence of not understanding jin.
If one’s goal is to develop absolute muscular strength, modern training systems—weightlifting, resistance training, athletics—are far more effective than Taiji.
Taiji was never designed to compete in that domain.
But if the goal is:
Then few methods are as refined and intelligent as Taiji’s internal training.
Understanding Jin Clarifies What Is Correct and What Is Not
Once jin is truly understood, judgment becomes simple.
Practices that leave you increasingly tense, fatigued, and reliant on effort
are not expressions of Taiji wisdom.
Practices that make you feel stronger, lighter, and more comfortable with time
reflect authentic Taiji principles.
Where does this strength come from?
Not from force, but from movement that generates vitality without consuming it.
And where does the sense of lightness come from?
Not from deliberate relaxation, but from having sufficient internal power, which naturally makes the body feel free and unburdened.
A Classical Insight That Says It All
Sun Lutang once stated:
Yet many practitioners overlook this truth.
They tighten the body, push forcefully, brace and strain—believing this to be progress—
and remain trapped in external form, unable to move beyond appearances.
A Message for TaijiYun Practitioners
For those practicing within TaijiYun:
Take the time to truly understand jin.
When jin is understood:
Taiji begins with understanding jin.
Without it, the door remains closed.