Purely Offensive Jing Breaking Jing

Breaking jing is used for breaking the opponent's bones or joints. Forward breaking jing is commonly used to break ribs, and sideward or downward breaking jing is used to break limbs. The yi is concentrated slightly beyond the target.

This is different from the penetrating drilling jing, where the yi is concentrated deep into the organ being attacked. If you have ever chopped wood, you should understand how to use this jing. When you are chopping a branch, if you concentrate and aim a bit beyond the branch, you should have little trouble chopping through it. Also, if just before the axe reaches the wood you suddenly increase your speed and jerk the power out, you will find that you can cut the branch without using much power.

In breaking, when the qi and jing reach the target, the muscles must be tensed so that all the power is expended in the target. In taijiquan, the time that you are tensed is kept as short as possible. This allows you to remain relaxed and make your breaking jing sharper and more concentrated. A great deal of speed must be developed. Once the target is hit, the speed stops, but the yi continues on through. It is important that the yi be focused only slightly beyond the target. If you focus too far beyond the target, your jing will pass uselessly through it. There is also a danger of injuring yourself. Because you normally tense your muscles only a short distance before the focus point, if the focus is too far beyond the target, you will be relaxed when you hit. This will allow the power to bounce back to you and injure your arm or fist.

Many training methods are used both in the external and the internal styles. The most common way to train sideward breaking jing for use on the opponent's elbow is with a wooden rod about an inch and a half in diameter. Click to learn how Chinese medicine treats Pneumatocele.

Some people train with branches on trees. In the beginning, wrap the rod or branch with cloth to avoid injuring your arm. When applying jing, the root must be firm. The power is generated from the legs and guided by the waist onto the target. (See also the section on sideward hooking jing.) Punching bags are also used, especially for training forward breaking jing. To break ribs your yi must be centered a little past the ribs, so aim your techniques a few inches inside the bag. Remember, yi is the most important factor in breaking.