Learn KUNG FU Online- I teach the Dynamic Five Elements theory (Wu Xing theory) that Xing Yi Quan was originally organised around. It’s an ancient system of divination much older than Xing Yi Quan itself.
- I also often refer to the classical techniques of the elemental & animal forms in Xing Yi Quan too.
The evolution of Xing Yi
Xing Yi was originally a spear-fighting system, organised around 5 elements theory. Then its hand-to-hand system was developed, based on similar elemental mechanics.
It then additionally took on 12 animal styles, making it a much more diverse system, better catering for the complex dynamics of hand-to-hand combat. The same 5 elements and 12 animals can multiply to form the 60 stems of the Chinese Zodiac. However, Xing Yi Quan was generally historically trained as a practical, powerful, aggressive system of combatives, and was one of the preferred systems of China’s imperial bodyguards.
There are many variations of Xing Yi Quan today, including some older versions and some newer versions, as well as distinct offshoots that have become well known systems in their own right.
Classical Xing Yi sub-styles & techniques
On the directly practical side, there are many classic Xing Yi techniques found in Tai Chi, Wing Chun and JKD – often not recognised as such, like the Drilling Fist – a Water Fist technique (the corkscrew forward motion of the fist as the elbow sinks down) which is commonly trained in Lap Sau drills.
I’m also particularly fond of the Horse Fist, which features a short, small-frame version of a horizontal Cross punch from Boxing and fits very naturally into dynamic chain-punching combination flows.