Peng, Lu, Ji and An are considered to be the first 4 primary physical jing energies in Tai Chi Chuan. I am going to basically introduce these 4 jing energies here and then write a separate, more accurate and comprehensive post about each one.
Peng translates as Ward Off and is often thought of as an outward expanding and moving energy that bounces incoming force back as if you were pushing or shoving on a large inflated rubber ball. The practitioner using Peng energy is very strong and immovable in their stance although not stiff or rigid in any way.
Lu translates as Rollback and is generally considered to be a diversion of the incoming force to one side or the other causing the attacker to lose their balance. Lu also refers to the idea that the recipient / practitioner can use it to draw off incoming energy.
Ji translates as Press and tends to refer to the idea of pressing or pushing in with pressure in a way that causes two points of contact to meet in one spot inside the recipient. So, two vectors of force that are directed and intended to meet in the same place.
An translates as Push and tends to be a downward and then an upward action to help uproot the opponent. An Push jing refers to the idea that the force travels through the recipient moving or coming out the other side of the intended target.
It is commonly thought that Peng is the primary physical jing and that the other jings are simply Peng jing expressed in a particular direction or form. There are those who disagree with this view of it. I can see the merit in both arguments and am interested to hear what others think about the subject as long as the discussion is intelligent. I am not interested in a dogmatic religious or political approaches to any of this but I am very open to scholarly discussion and debate.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
In Peng, if i raise my right arm and press down with left hand, shift my waist to the right while rotating my right arm at the elbow, rotate my left forearm counterclockwise to palm up. Can I shoot energy from my left fingertips into the middle of my right forearm at an accupressure point there? I have never practiced doing this, yet I have the move from a Yang Jun video.
In application I have caught an inverted punch and I raise my right arm behind the opponents elbow (could be a break right there) Then turn my waist to the right, then the left, Lu–rollback and then sink and An/push, which could dislocate the shoulder as well. Am I making sense here?
Hi Dan,
The answer to your first question is yes. But, which acu-point and why are you shooting energy into this acu-point?
Your physical self defense application makes complete sense.
Best Regards.
Sifu
Thanks for the response.
Guess I am shooting the energy into the acu-point in the middle of my forearm. When I perform An and push more energy through the Lau Gong point into the already built up energy in the forearm, it creates more jing power. Ok, that was a WAG…(wild ass guess).
I know something is going on, yet I’m not sure what…
I know you can strike the biceps with an upper cut punch and cause something to happen because we used to do it at the temple. Maybe it accelerates the jing out through the fist…..dont know…
Hi Dan,
Okay, I was looking for context. In this case you are saying to strike. Yes, striking your arm while striking out accelerates the jing and also adds more juice to the technique. Probably near double for what you have described.
Best Regards.
Sifu