How to Fa Jin in Tai Chi, 4 Principles for Explosive Power
Fa Jin (发劲) in Tai Chi means issuing coordinated whole-body power in a short moment. In Chen Style Tai Chi, power should not come from the arm alone. The feet, legs, kua, waist, torso, shoulder, and striking point work together, followed by relaxation immediately after the force is released. After practicing traditional Chinese martial arts for many years, I have found that beginners often misunderstand Fa Jin in two opposite ways. Some think it is a mysterious kind of internal energy, while others think it simply means tightening every muscle and hitting as hard as possible. In my experience, neither explanation is complete. Good Fa Jin depends on structure, timing, relaxation, coordination, and the ability to connect the whole body for a very short instant.