Ken Gullette's Internal Fighting Arts Blog

Tai Chi Energies Part 2 - A Deeper Look at Lu Jin - Roll Back Energy

liu jin lu jin rollback energy tai chi energies taiji energies what is roll back energy Jan 20, 2026

When people talk about the "energies" of Taijiquan, they often list Lu Jin second. First there is Peng Jin -- "Ward Off Energy," then there is Lu Jin -- "Roll Back Energy."

Remember, an "energy" is simply a refined, skillful method for dealing with an opponent's force.

With Lu Jin (sometimes spelled Liu Jin), you don't stop force, you don't block it, and you don't "beat" it.

It is not "yielding," either. With Lu Jin, when someone uses force you redirect it so it continues, just not to the locatioan the opponent thought it was going.

Lu Jin steals the opponent's angle, timing, balance, and expectation. He believes he is in control until suddenly he isn't. He punches or pushes or kicks and his mind says he will find support or a target, but reality says, "The target is not here."

Lu means you allow the opponent's force to continue, while quietly removing the structure that would let it succeed.

"Roll Back" is often shown as two hands redirecting a punch or push, but many parts of...

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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 2 - A Deeper Look at Lu Jin - Roll Back Energy

Author - Instructor

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