Ken Gullette's Internal Fighting Arts Blog

Tai Chi Energies Part 5 - Zhou Jin is Not Just An Elbow Strike

elbow energy elbow in tai chi energies of taijiquan tai chi energies zhou jin Feb 18, 2026

In the last few blog postd, I have focused on Tai Chi "energies." The next stop on our tour is Zhou Jin, commonly and incompletely described as "Elbow Energy."

And remember, a "Jin" is a method of dealing with force. It isn't really an "energy."

Zhou Jin is not simply an elbow strike. It does not mean throwing an elbow.

Zhou Jin is a whole-body expression of force, and that expression happens through the elbow.

But certain things have to exist for this to be Zhou and not simply an elbow strike.

Here is a grown-up definition of Zhou Jin:

It is rotational force compressed and redirected at close range.

Zhou shows up when distance collapses, arms can't extend and frames are crowded. It is devastating in close-up self-defense.

The power of Zhou comes from the ground, the closing and opening of the kua, torso rotation, spinal compression and rebound. The elbow is just the shortest delivery route.

Zhou Jin is peng under compression.

This sequence of photos is an ex...

Author - Instructor

Ken Gullette

I have practiced martial arts since 1973 and began studying the internal arts in 1987. My goal is to cut years off your development time by coaching you in the real skills for high-quality Tai Chi, Xingyi, Bagua. To see more about my bio, click the "About Ken" link on the menu at the top of this page.

Ken Gullette's Internal Fighting Arts

Tai Chi Energies Part 5 - Zhou Jin is Not Just An Elbow Strike

Author - Instructor

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