Hsing-I Ch'uan
Hsing-I Ch'uan (Xing Yi Quan) is based on the Chinese philosophy of the five elements .
The creation of Hsing-I Ch'uan is traditionally attributed to the famous Song Dynasty general Yue Fei (B1103 Henan Province) - an unlikely postulation. Some say that it pre-dates T'ai Chi. The earliest written records of it can be traced to the 18th century. It was first known as Xin Yi Liuhe Quan (Heart Mind Six Harmonies Boxing). There are three main schools, Shanxi, Hebei & Henan, we practice the Hebei school.
The term 'Hsing-I Ch'uan' means 'mind form method'. The mind governs and leads the movement of the body.
The forms are characterised by short, efficient & quick movements. Like all the internal arts Hsing I cultivates & employs power of the whole body which is released in one action. A particular trait of Hsing I is simultaneous attack and defense.
Hsing-I Ch'uan looks deceptively simple and can be very tricky to master. The demands on foot work & weight management are particularly exacting. I have found practicing Hsing-I Ch'uan a very good companion to T'ai Chi Ch'uan, it is particularly useful for helping to manage the error of 'waving your hands about' so often the blight of the T'ai Chi player.
In this school of Hsing-I there are the five 'element' forms (common to all Hsing-I), the twelve animal forms & five forms combining the elements & animals. Then partner & weapon forms.
The Five Element forms:
1.Pi Chuan (Metal) Splitting fist.
2.Zuan Chuan (Water) Drilling fist.
3.Beng Chuan (Wood) Crushing fist.
4.Pao Chuan (Fire) Pounding fist.
5.Heng Chuan (Earth) Crossing fist.
There are five 'combination' forms: (with very loose translations)
Wu Xing Chuan (five elements)
Wu Xing Lian Huan Chuan (linking form)
Si Ba Chuan (four form)
Ba Shi Chuan (eight form)
Shi Er Heng Chuan (twelve form)
The 12 animal forms:
Tiger
Horse
Crocodile
Chicken
Hawk
Eagle
Bear
Snake
Goshawk
Swallow
Dragon
Monkey