Xingyiquan (Hsing Yi Chuan)
Intro:
Xingyiquan is one of the three orthodox "internal" styles of Chinese martial
art (the other two being Taijiquan and Baguazhang). "Xing" refers to form and
"Yi" to the mind or intent. "Quan" literally means fist and denotes a method of
unarmed combat. Xingyiquan is commonly refered to as "Form and Mind" or "Form
and Will" boxing. The name illustrates the strong emphasis placed on motion being
subordinate to mental control.
Origin:
Shanxi Province, China.
History:
The exact origins of Xingyiquan are unknown. The creation of the Art is traditionally
attributed to the famous general and patriot Yue Fei (1103- 1141) of the Song
Dynasty. There is, however, no historical data to support this claim. The style
was originally called "Xin Yi Liu He Quan" (Heart Mind Six Harmonies Boxing).
The Six Harmonies refer to the Three Internal Harmonies (the heart or desire coordinates
with the intent; the intent coordinates with the qi or vital energy; the qi coordinates
with the strength), and the Three External Harmonies (the shoulders coordinate
with the hips; the elbows coordinate with the knees and the hands coordinate with
the feet).
The earliest reliable information we have makes reference to Ji Longfeng (also
known as Ji Jige) of Shanxi Province as being the first to teach the art of Xin
Yi Liu He Quan. Ji Longfeng was active near the end of the Ming Dynasty (early
1600's) and was a master of spear fighting (he had the reputation of possessing
"divine" skill with the spear). He is recorded as stating "I have protected myself
in violent times with my spear. Now that we are in a time of "peace" and our weapons
have all been destroyed, if I am unarmed and meet the unexpected, how shall I
defend myself?" In answer to his own question, Ji Longfeng reportedly created
a style of weaponless combat based on his expertise with the spear. He refered
to his art as "Liu He," the Six Harmonies.
Ji Longfeng had two very famous students. One was from from Hebei province
and was named Cao Jiwu. The other was from Henan Province and was named Ma Xueli.
It was at this point in history that the Xin Yi Liu He Quan (now also refered
to as Xingyiquan) divided into three related yet separate styles, the Shanxi,
Henan and Hebei schools. After spending 12 years studying Xingyiquan with Ji Longfeng,
Cao Jiwu entered the Imperial Martial Examinations and placed first (this was
the most prestigious honor one could possibly win as a martial artist in old China,
and assured the victor a high government position). Cao passsed on his art to
two brothers, Dai Longbang and Dai Linbang.
Dai Longbang passed his Art on to Li Luoneng (also known as Li Nengran). Li
holds the distinction of being the greatest Xingyi Boxer in the styles' history
and one of the top Chinese boxers of all time. Li Luoneng taught his art in his
native Shanxi Province and also taught a great number of students in Hebei Province
(his duties as a bodyguard involved escorting various members of wealthy families
to and from Hebei). Two of Li's most famous Shanxi students were Song Shirong
and Zhe Yizhai. His most famous Hebei student was the formidable Guo Yunshen (who
reportedly defeated all comers with his "Beng Quan," a straight punch to the body).
Guo Yunshen passed on his art to Wang Fuyuan, Liu Qilan and Sun Ludang among others;
Liu Qilan passed on the Art to the most famous practitioners of this century,
including Li Cunyi and Zhang Zhangui (also known as Zhang Zhaodong). There are
many practitioners of all three sub-systems active today, and Xingyiquan is still
a popular and well respected style of martial art in China.
Description:
The art is divided into two main systems, the Ten Animal and Five Element respectively.
The Five Element system is further divided into two major branches, the Hebei
and Shanxi styles. The Ten animal style is closest to the original Xin Yi Liu
He Quan in form and practice. The movements in the forms are patterned after the
spirit of various animals in combat, including the:
- Dragon
- Tiger
- Monkey
- Horse
- Chicken
- Hawk
- Snake
- Bear
- Eagle
- Swallow
The Five Element based systems have five basic forms:
- Splitting
- Drilling
- Crushing
- Pounding
- Crossing
These elements are used as the foundation of the art. These basic energies
are later expanded into Twelve Animal forms which include variations of the animal
forms found in the Ten Animal styles as well as two additional animals:
- The Tai (a mythical bird)
- The Tuo (a type of water lizard, akin to the aligator).
Training in all systems centers on repetitive practice of single movements
which are later combined into more complicated linked forms.
The direction of movement in Xingyiquan forms is predominately linear. Practitioners
"walk" through the forms coordinating the motions of their entire bodies into
one focused flow. The hands, feet and torso all "arrive" together and the nose,
front hand and front foot are along one verticle line when viewed from the front
(san jian xiang jiao). The arms are held in front of the body and the practitioner
lines up his or her centerline with opponent's centerline. A familiar adage of
Xingyiquan is that "the hands do not leave the (area of the) heart and the elbows
do not leave the ribs." There are few kicks in the style and the techniques are
of a predominately percussive nature. Great emphasis is placed upon the ability
to generate power with the whole body and focus it into one pulse which is released
in a sudden burst.
Xingyi is characteristically aggressive in nature and prefers to move into
the opponent with a decisive blow at the earliest opportunity. The style prizes
economy of motion and the concept of simultaneous attack and defense. As the name
of the style implies, the form or "shape" of the movements is the outward, physical
manifestation of the "shape" of one's intent. A fundamental principle underlying
all styles of Xingyiquan is that the mind controls and leads the movement of the
body.
Training:
Training in Henan (Ten Animal) Xin Yi Liu He Quan includes basic movements
designed to condition and develop the striking ability of the "Seven Stars" (the
head, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees and feet). From there the student
will progress to learning the basic animal forms. Form practice consists of repeating
single movements while walking foward in various straight line patterns. Later,
the single movements are combined into linked forms. The techniques are relatively
simple and straightforeward and rely on the ability to generate force with almost
any part of the body (the Seven Stars). Also included at more advanced levels
are weapons forms (including the straight sword, staff and spear).
The Five Element based styles of Xingyiquan (Shanxi and Hebei) traditionally
begin training with stance keeping (Zhan Zhuang). The fundamental posture is called
"San Ti" (Three Bodies) or "San Cai" (Three Powers, refering to heaven, earth
and man). It is from this posture that all of the movements in the style are created
and most teachers place great emphasis upon it. After stance keeping the student
begins to learn the Five Elements (Wu Xing). These are the basic movements of
the art and express all the possible combinations of motion which produce percussive
power. After a certain level of proficiency is acquired in the practice of the
Five Elements, the student goes on to learn the Twelve Animal and linked forms.
The Twelve Animal forms are variations of the Five Elements expressed through
the format of the spirit of animals in combat. There are several two-person combat
forms which teach the student the correct methods of attack and defense and the
applications of the techniques practiced in the solo forms. Five Element based
styles also include weapons training (the same weapons as the Henan styles).
Substyles:
As mentioned above, Xingyiquan is divided into three related yet distinct styles:
- Henan Xin Yi Liu He Quan
- Shanxi Xingyiquan
- Hebei Xingyiquan.
Henan Xin Yi Liu He Quan is characterized by powerful swinging movements of
the arms and the ability to strike effectively with every part of the body. This
system is very powerful and aggressive in nature and the movements are simple
and straightforeward.
Hebei style Five Element Xingyiquan emphasizes larger and more extended postures,
strict and precise movements and powerful palm and fist strikes.
Shanxi style Five Element Xingyiquan is characterized by smaller postures with
the arms held closer to the body, light and agile footwork and a relatively "softer"
approach to applying technique (Shanxi Xingyi places a greater emphasis on evasiveness
than the other styles).
(Contributor: William Breazeal)
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