robert wrote:Wang Xiangzhai criticized Taijiquan for having too many postures; I think the same could be said for jin
All postures are variations on a few basic circles and combinations of them. The eight Jins are actually less about techniques and more about eight distinct methods of body mechanics, foremost variations on closing and opening.
Taijiquan is always about simplifying, not about complicating.
... which by that quote means that Wang didn’t understand the spirit of Taijiquan...
How is folding different from closing? I would classify folding as closing jin (he jin - 合勁).
Folding = collapsing? You can fold an arm against someone else’s arm to prepare a backfist strike, or you can fold your arm in order to block/evade with your forearm or upper arm. Folding in this sense is about making you smaller to reach out inside the other’s frame, or to reach in for closer distance.
Close or hé actually means “connect”, it’s not about closing or folding two parts together. It means to stabilize, to find the spot in each and every posture where the angles of the frame are as strong as possible.