The Principle of Circulation — Qi Moves in Circles

 The Principle of Circulation — Qi Moves in Circles

In Tai Chi theory, fajin (發勁) is never just a muscular action — it is the manifestation of internal circulation (氣的循環) that reaches outward through structure and intent.

When you issue energy, the qi does not simply go out; it circulates through the body like a continuous wave or a water current flowing through a loop.

That is why old masters said:

「發勁如抽絲，周身一家。」

“Issuing jin is like drawing silk — the whole body acts as one piece.”

The key is that qi and jin always move in circular or spiral patterns (圓轉、螺旋). These circles can be small (within the arm or hand), or large (through the whole body).

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☯️ 2. Yin and Yang Balance in Fajin

Every movement of jin (勁) contains a pair of yin and yang actions:

• Yang (陽): issuing, extending, pushing out.

• Yin (陰): absorbing, returning, drawing in.

When the right arm issues (yang), the left arm or the back body absorbs (yin).

When one side pushes, the other side receives — creating a closed energy circuit.

This circular flow keeps the qi alive, continuous, and rooted, never “leaking” out.

In other words:

Qi goes out and comes back simultaneously.

This is what makes Tai Chi power alive — not a one-way punch, but a living wave.

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3. Dantian as the Hub of All Circles

The dantian (丹田) is like the central axis or pump of these circles.

Most major qi routes pass through it — even when you’re only working in the upper or lower body.

When you issue from the dantian, the qi spirals out through the waist, into the spine, shoulders, and arms — the yang path.

When you receive or neutralize, qi spirals back through the arms and chest into the dantian — the yin path.

The cycle repeats, so the dantian continuously expands, contracts, and rotates — driving the circular motion of qi, like a water wheel.

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⚙️ 4. Local and Whole-Body Circles

Sometimes, the circle is local:

• In the forearm, when one side expands (yang), the opposite side contracts (yin).

• In the chest and back — the front opens while the back closes, forming a micro-circle.

Sometimes, the circle is global:

• Right hand issues → left hand absorbs → back to dantian → back to right hand again.

• Upward (yang) motion balances downward (yin) sinking through the legs and Yongquan.

Each circle connects to others — like linked gears — so the whole body becomes a network of living spirals.

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5. The Jing (勁) Theories

Jin (勁) is the expression of qi through correct structure and intention (意).

Different types of jin express different parts of the qi circle:

Type of Jin	Function	Energetic Description
Peng (掤勁)	Expanding, supporting	Qi inflates outward, establishing an elastic sphere.
Lu (捋勁)	Drawing in, yielding	Qi returns inward to the dantian; yin collects.
Ji (擠勁)	Pressing forward	Qi unites from both arms to a point; yang condenses.
An (按勁)	Sinking and releasing	Qi drops to the feet and rebounds upward; yin to yang transition.

All these jins depend on continuous circular flow — expansion and contraction, yin and yang transforming each other.

If the qi stops circulating, the jin becomes stiff or disconnected.

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6. Classical Expression

From the Tai Chi Classics (太極拳論):

「氣如車輪，週而復始；勁似抽絲，綿綿不斷。」

“Qi is like a wheel, revolving endlessly; jin is like reeling silk, continuous and unbroken.”

and also:

「彼不動，己不動；彼微動，己先動。」

“If the opponent does not move, I do not move; if he moves slightly, I move first.”

This reflects the same living circulation — energy sensing, returning, and reissuing in cycles.

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Summary

Aspect	Description
Qi Circulation	Always circular, like water flowing through loops.
Yin-Yang Alternation	One side issues (yang), the other side absorbs (yin).
Dantian Role	Central hub for energy exchange; drives expansion and return.
Jin Expression	The visible form of internal qi movement; elastic, spiral, continuous.
Goal	Whole-body integration: one circle of qi, one piece of jin, endlessly flowing.