Whether
it is called Xing Yi, Hsing I, Xing Yi Chuan, or Hsing I Quan, they are all
referring to the same art.
Xing
Yi can be translated as such xing (hsing) = form or set, while yi (i) = mind or
intent, chaun (quan) = boxing, so a rough translation can be “mind form boxing,
intent form boxing, or mind set boxing. Xing Yi, like the rest of the
internals, is clouded in mystery of its origin, but direct lineage can be
traced back for 12 generations.
Xing
Yi styles vary, but the all contain the 5 elements and usually 12 animals, and
are, or at least should be, based on the foundation of san ti shi. San ti shi
is not just a stance or leg building technique but it also begins the flow and
understanding of the flow of the natural energy that is in all things. There
are many philosophies of the san ti principals based on the wu ji, tai ji and
san ti shi movements (or non movements).
The
5 elements are usually as followed; fire, earth, air (metal), water, and wood.
In Xing yi techniques they represent the 5 ways energy can strike, rise, fall,
split, turn, and crush, usually each element has its own linear form and when
combined together they become a linking set. The 5 elements represent many
other philosophies in Chinese arts as well, from acupuncture, Chinese medicine,
Taoist practices, and form practice, they are often related into nearly all the
arts of Asia.
Xing
Yi animal forms usually number as 12, they can include tiger, bear, cock,
monkey, water lizard, tai bird, and others. They usually correlate with a
specific element in energy direction nature, and are practiced in linear forms
one for each animal. Like the 5 elements they can be combined to form numerous
linking sets.
Ji
Ji Ke is the first recorded teacher of Xing Yi. The legend says he found a
secret manuscript hidden in a statue of the legendary General Yue Fei, and from
these manuscripts he discovered the art of Xing Yi. Some say the art is really
based upon Yue fei legendary skills with the spear, and when a spear is
inserted they certainly seem like quality spear techniques, if this is so, then
did Ji Ji Ke really find secret manuscripts hidden in a statue?
There
are many styles of Xing Yi, such as:
Che style
Dai style
Hebei
Henan style
Ji
Luoyang
Lushan
Ma style
Mai style
Shanxi style
Song.
http://www.emptyflower.com/xingyiquan/splitting/styles.html http://www.plumpub.com/info/knotebook/boxxingyi.htm
http://www.shenwu.com/hsingi.htm
http://www.westga.edu/~kungfu/hsing-i.html
http://www.energyarts.com/lores/hsingi/
http://www.apittman.com/index.html?Articles/hsingitheory.htm~content