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Xingyiquan (Hsing Yi Ch'uan)
(Contributor: William Breazeal - breazeal@tweedledee.ucsb.edu)
INTRODUCTION:
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 and Swallow.
The Five Element based systems have five basic forms (including
Splitting, Drilling, Crushing, Pounding, and Crossing) 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) and 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 and Shanxi/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).
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