by Paul Chou 11/6/1997 revised 8/23/1998

If we look at the relative position of our joints, it can be configured into a specific kind of body structure that performs a quality call ''Peng jing''. This specific type of body configuration is called ''tensegrity'', use bone as compression member and ligament as tension cable.

''Picture show structure'' 5 bows,

1. the shoulder, elbow, hand bows x 2
2. The hip joint, knee and foot bows x 2
3. The nape, loin and posterior bows.

To combine this 5 into one.

With this tensegrity type of body structure one will free comfortable under a constant pressure. Since the most of the force is directed into ground. However, when it is subject to pressure: The tension increased in the ligament will activate the muscle group to perform a global adjustment to neutralize the added pressure.

When in movement it will make body move circularly with proper ligament tension.

Peng Jing can also be discussed from the opponent's point of view. From that point of view what has been described is the result in a specific time and space instead of the cause and essence of Peng Jing. I am going to describe:

1. The essence of Peng Jing
2. How to built it and how long it takes to built up Peng Jing.

When one practice Taichi, he start from a very soft and gentle practice. He should put his attention on imitating his teacher¡¦s movement. He will relax every joint in his body, so the ligaments can be stretched in different patterns.

When one tents to change the moving direction of his forearm, he step down to his foot while positioning his legs to the right angle. Then the impulse from both legs will create a torque that drives his waist and create torsos rotation. This rotation causes his shoulders' movement and drag his upper arm through elbows to forearms, hands and fingers.

Those propagated influence is transferred through ligaments surround each joints along the path. Whenever one needs to change direction in his path of motion, he has to follow this joint path. So the generation of movement is always from ground up, centered in his waist. The movements are thus smooth, unified and integrated.

This exercise can make ligaments grow stronger, more flexible and sensitive. As a result of correct practice for years, the pattern of movements can be built.

What a student should avoid is using partial joint's adjustment instead of the global moves, as mentioned above, to perform the circles. Otherwise the movements will not be centered from one's waist. It could not generate a smooth result and the ligaments would not be fully exercised within the practice.

One would be able to react to the pressure correctly without special attention when success. This is because the muscular nerve system is patterned deep into subconscious level. And the response can be described as follow:

1. His ligaments will hold every joints in position by giving up very little displacement from ligament's natural flexibility. It will not collapse.
2. His spin and waist being notified by this tinny variation and reflex accordingly.
3. Simultaneously, circles generate from waist, transfer to fingers tip and perform the circles throughout one's body and neutralize the incoming attack.
4. The integrated body structure is well maintained at any instance, so the Fa-Jing can base on this Peng Jing to express great power.

The correct way of practice plus concentration on putting away the unnecessary or unbalanced stress. Expand one's arm and leg circles so that the ligaments' movement can be exaggerate. We can shorten the time frame by remove the time spend on searching and incorrect patterning. However, after understand and apply the concept in practice, several years is till required to settle the pattern and strengthen the ligaments before one can be successful in Taichi.