| HSING I CHUAN Renowned Taoist and spear master Chi Lung Feng combined hand techniques, which were derived from the five elements, with the footwork of the spear, to invent the Hsing I Chuan. In the Ching Dynasty around the mid 1600s Chi Lung Feng taught his art to Ma Hsuech Li, who returned home to the Henan Province starting up the Henan School of Hsing I. Chi Lung Feng also taught General Tsao Chi Wu, who founded the Shansi School of the Art. A few unnamed generations later, the Tai brothers – Ling Pang and Lung Pang taught Shansi Hsing I to Li Neng Jan, who returned to his home in the Hebei Province. He created many of the line drills and linear forms for which the art is famous. He also brought in the animal principles in Hsing I and founded the Hebei School of Hsing I Chuan. The Hebei style of Hsing I found its way to Beijing through great Chinese boxers such as Che I Chai and Kuo Yun Shen. It also found its way to the Wudang Mountains influencing Taoist practitioners in the area. These illusive traveling masters of Wudang Shan already had a great martial understanding. Tai Ji and weapons such as the Jian (straight sword) were founded in that area almost 300 years earlier by Chang San Feng. Wudang Hsing I has its own flavour but the basic five element linear drills, animal style influences and aggressive forward movement, that defines the Hsing I style, is as prominent as it would be with the other three schools. The continuous forward spring action movement of a Hsing I practitioner would explain the worldwide saying – “A HSING I BOXER NEVER BACKS UP!” An entry level understanding of the five basic stances and movements can be categorised as follows: - PI – Divide or split action – (Metal) In understanding the structure of Hsing I boxing one has to explore and master the six links in movement and standing: - Hands and Feet |
