Xing I

Along with Pa-Kua and Tai Chi, this style (also known as Xing yi or Hsing i) completes the triad of popular internal Chinese martial arts. Mind-Body Boxing (also known as Form and Will Boxing), was created by Ji Long Feng in the 17th century. Whereas Pa-Kua emphasizes circularity of movement, Xing i takes a direct, linear approach to combat. From the five basic techniques of splitting, crushing, drilling, pounding and crossing, which are developed using both arms, the practitioner goes on to simulate the characteristics of twelve animals. Used in combination these techniques can produce a wide variety of attack and defense methods.

It was the Xing i master Kuo Yun-shen, fighting Tung Hai-ch’uan, an expert in Pa-Kua, that brought together an agreement between students of the two opposed styles (Xing-i being linear, Pa-Kua being circular). Unable to breach the circular defense of Tung, Kuo was finally beaten when the Pa-Kua master unexpectedly took the offense. Recognizing that both could learn from the other, the two agreed to have their students cross train.

Traditional training is largely concerned with the solo performance of forms that go back and forth in straight lines. Within these forms the fundamental techniques and combat principles can be found. The main methods of attack include the punch, an open palm strike and a ‘hammerhead’ (using the base of a closed fist to strike down upon the head, nose or shoulders of an opponent). These forms are done at speed, but without tension and the Xing-i practitioner does not interrupt the flow of techniques, as seen in harder forms of kung fu, but rather techniques meld naturally into the next, a characteristic of the internal martial arts of China. That said, of Tai Chi, Pa-Kua and Xing i, the latter requires the highest amount of overt energy to perform successfully.

Once basic techniques and coordination have been developed, a trainee progresses onto two man forms and a version of pushing hands. Two man forms are also set routines in which one or the other makes attacks or appropriate defenses, all done in a flow so that as one movement ends another begins. In this manner an overwhelming energy is developed. Failing the delivery of a knock out blow, pushing hands is also practiced, but this lacks the sensitivity of Tai Chi and is more concerned with overpowering an opponent.

In combat Xing i is most effective when employed directly so that the foe can be overcome in the shortest time possible. What it lacks in subtlety the art makes up for in sheer power. Successions of powerful attacks are made to weak points of the human anatomy to buckle the defender. Should the onslaught be withstood then the Xing i master relies on the application of joint locks to control his opponent and bring him to the floor when a coup de grace may be administered.

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