Fa jin

Fa jin, fajin or fa chin (fājìn, 發勁), sometimes misspelled as fajing, is a term used in some Chinese martial arts, particularly the neijia (internal) martial arts, such as xingyiquan, t'ai chi ch'uan (taijiquan), baguazhang, bak mei and bajiquan.

It means to issue or discharge power explosively or refining the explosive power, and is not specific to any particular striking method. With this definition in mind, a boxer[1] is also capable of the same. However, in the context of internal martial arts, this process commonly seen as a set of methods capable of generating the energy further refined and focused through many more muscle groups (particularly in the waist and torso - the dantian) allowing feats with far less visual physical expression such as the one-inch punch. Jìn (勁), or "power", is often confused by Westerners with the related concept of jīng (精), which literally means "essence."

Jin describes the ability to generate force. Jin and qi are inherently combined concepts in internal martial arts. To generate the fa jin, according to the traditional explanation, it is necessary to transfer qi from dantian towards the limb or body part (e.g. shoulder, head, hip) that will perform the technique with explosive force (bàofālì 爆發力). If a person is off balance and stiff, they have no jin, as qi cannot penetrate the muscle to produce force.

In terms of physics, it is a simple matter of body alignment, coordination, and torque.[2] The body begins in a relaxed physical state, which is then quickly accelerated like a "whip"[3] in a coordinated movement of the entire body. Generally, the strike is immediately retracted after contact to shorten impact time, which theoretically increases the impulse of the strike.[4][5][6]

Taijiquan and fa jin

In the practice of taijiquan it is a description of a technique, generally indicating a sudden release of energy obtained by the coordinated movement of the entire body. Every technique can express fa jin, not just kicks, punches, elbows and knees, but also holds, levers and projections. The mastery of the techniques of chan ssu jin silk reeling is essential. The fa jin released during exhalation is almost unconscious. This technique is referred to in the forms of training school as the Lao Jia Chen Paochui (old frame, cannon fist, one of the two original forms Chen-style t'ai chi ch'uan), while in Yang school, especially for those who have a direct lineage to Yang Shaohou the fa jin is added to techniques to release the stored energy.[7]

Fa jin and the dantian

A main principle in creating fajin, is using your dantian. The dantian is thought to be the storehouse of your energy and can be used in striking. One technique described by Master Wang Jianqiao[8] for developing fajin is by breathing into your lower abdomen (dantian) and creating a pressure. When you strike and squeeze your lower abdomen tight so that the core becomes compact, unifying the torso, this actively engages more of the muscle fibers to generate more force.

See also

References
  1. Championship Fighting Explosive Punching and Aggressive Defense (1950) Jack Dempsey.
  2. "What is Fa-Jing and How Do You Do It in Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Bagua?". Ken Gullette's Internal Martial Arts. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  3. "Tai Chi Whips & Waveform Striking VS Fajing - Clear's Tai Chi". www.clearstaichi.com. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
  4. Herkewitz, William. "The Science of the One-Inch Punch". www.popularmechanics.com. Popular Mechanics.
  5. Djurdjevic, Dan. "Hitting harder: physics made easy". wayofleastresistance.net. Hitting harder: physics made easy.
  6. Tom, Teri. "The Straight Lead". Tuttle Publishing.
  7. Tai Chi Fa Jin: Advanced Techniques for Discharging Chi Energy by Mantak Chia and Andrew Jan, Destiny Books 14 March 2012, 276p
  8. "What is Fajin (Fajing) 发劲". Gong fu academy. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
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