May 4, 2026
The “Eight Energies of Taijiquan” are not mystical — and they
don’t mean there are eight specific types of energy coursing
through your body. The name “energy” comes from the Chinese gongfu
term “Jin,” and that actually means a trained strength – a refined,
skillful use of the body. A “Jin” is a method, a way of dealing
with force. The eight energies include:
** Peng Jin (Ward-Off Energy)
** Lu Jin (Roll Back Energy)
** Ji Jin (Press Energy)
** An Jin (Push Energy)
** Lie Jin (Split Energy)
** Cai Jin (Pluck Energy)
** Zhou Jin (Elbow Energy)
** Kao Jin (Shoulder Energy)
In this podcast, the first one without a guest, Ken Gullette
talks about what his practice and studies over the past almost 40
years have taught him about what the “energies” are — and how they
are used. Almost certainly, you will look at some of the Jin in a
slightly new or deeper way.
Ken put an 8-part series of videos on YouTube about the Eight
Energies (Methods) of Tai Chi, so check that out before or after
you listen to this podcast. Ken began studying Taijiquan in 1987.
Eleven years later, he discovered Chen Taiji. He has had some
top-level instructors, including members of the Chen family and
their disciples. Ken teaches through small, in-person classes and
practices, and through his online school, www.InternalFightingArts.com,
where he has around 1,000 video lessons and he does live Zoom
classes each week. Check out his website and try two weeks free.
Ken also writes about the internal arts of Chinese gongfu – and
philosophy – on his blog at www.internalfightingartsblog.com,
and he has several books on the internal martial arts on Amazon.
This episode runs one hour 21 minutes.
