1. What Relaxation Means in This Framework
In this framework, is a Taijiquan term that refers to either:
- A state in which muscles not actively engaged in maintaining posture or executing movement remain at a minimal level of tension.
- A process of gradually reducing unnecessary muscular tension to approach that optimal state.
2. Direct Experience of Relaxation
Relaxation cannot be fully understood through words alone—it must be experienced directly.
A simple experiment involves holding an unfamiliar posture, such as bending forward for a few minutes. Initially, most muscles instinctively tense to maintain balance, but after a while, parts of your body—particularly the waist and back—begin to loosen, followed by other areas. Your body naturally adjusts as it realizes that some muscles contribute little to maintaining the bent posture.
This illustrates how stiffening occurs first, followed by gradual Relaxing. From this example, we can see that sensing stiffness is the essential first step in learning intentional Relaxation.
4. Relaxation is Position-Dependent
Relaxation is inherently position-dependent, and this explains why Jin is also position-dependent—Jin can only develop in areas where Relaxation is properly cultivated.
Practitioners must systematically acquire the ability to Relax nearly centimeter by centimeter, ensuring Jin expands throughout Taijiquan movements.
Note: The content of this page is excerpted from Chapters 12,24, and 31 of Mastering Taijiquan in the Modern Age.
Taijiquan Framework 