Jing and Yi in Chinese martial arts

Jing and yi (mind, will) are probably the most important keys to success in taiji. You should understand that if there is no yi, the qi will be stagnant, and if the qi is stagnant, then it cannot be applied to jing. Therefore, wherever the jing is to go, the yi must go first, and the qi will naturally follow. When you use your yi to lead qi in support of jing, the yi should always be farther than the jing; otherwise, the jing will be restrained and not completely expressed. This is best done by maintaining a sense of having an enemy in front of you. Imagination is the key here. If you only put your attention on your hands, the energy will have difficulty reaching them. When you put your mind on an imaginary opponent in front of you, the qi will more easily reach your hands and pass through them. Therefore, it is said: "Jing [can be] broken, mind not broken."