Xing Yi Quan (Hsing I)

Xing Yi Chuan is a type of Chinese boxing where the forms are created by the mind. Xing Yi training allows an experienced practitioner to use their mind to exceed what would otherwise be physical limitations. Thought and action are blended seemlessly into one.

Xing Yi students begin by learning the five elemental and twelve animal forms. You will also learn the Five Elements Linking Form. Each of the elemental forms corresponds to the Ancient Chinese Five Elements; Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire. The student uses each of these forms as if they were that element. For example, in the Water form the student moves as if they were an eddie of rapidly-flowing water. With the twelve animal forms, students learn to mentally may transform themselves to suit the circumstances of combat. They may transform from the agile and tricky monkey, into a strong and ferocious dragon. The transformations are not simply movements to be learned. The student learns to become the element or animal in manner and spirit.

Xing Yi itself is a form of meditation. The mind wills, and the body responds. Through the forms, you will learn to transform your body's internal energy; Ch'i, to respond to your concious thought. The goal for which Xing Yi practitioners aim is to be able to exert Ch'i without any apparent physical force.

Xing Yi is an Internal Kung Fu system, meaning it focuses on the control of Internal Ch'i energy. (By comparison, External Kung Fu systems such as Shaolin Kung Fu teach students muscular control first.) Another internal system which is closely related to Xing Yi is Ba Gua (aka Pa Kua). In a two-day match in Ancient Peking Kuo Yun-shen using Xing Yi dueled with Tung Hai-ch'an using Pa Kua. The Pa Kua master won, but both masters learnt great respect for their opponents' code. Therefore a pact was made that Xing Yi students should learn Pa Kua and vice versa. Thus to this day, the teaching of the two is closely intertwined.

Classes

Your instructor is Sifu Richard Nicholls.

We hold a variety of classes throughout Brisbane in several locations each week. We cater for all paces and levels, from beginner to advanced. Please click here for our timetable. Your first lesson is free.

The History of Xing Yi

All that is known about the creator of Xing Yi is that he was Taoist hermit living in the Chung-nan mountains of China. What we do know is that between 1637 and 1662 he met and taught Xing Yi to a man called Chi Lung-feng. In turn Chi Lung-feng taught Xing Yi to a man who later became commanding general of Shansi during the Ch'ing dynasty. He created his own school, and his first student another. From there it fragment evolved into various schools. The most popular style today is Hopei, which lets beginners master the physics of the styles before delving into Xing Yi's internal aspects.

This history and the above description of Xing Yi is based on

Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts, Drager and Smith, 1980.
Xing Yi: Chinese Internal Boxing, Smith.
Kung Fu Fighting Styles, Hallander, 1985.)