Xingyiquan (Hsing I)

OFFENSIVE STRATEGY

Legends attribute the origins of Xingyiquan to General Yue Fei (1103-1142) and even Bodhidharma (5th/6th century CE). However, the earliest records of the system’s roots appear only in the 18th century. Today, Ji Jike, also known as Ji Longfeng (1588-1662), is widely considered the system’s founder. He was said to be proficient with the spear, and these skills reportedly became the basis for the hand-to-hand combat method he developed. Ji spent time at the Shaolin Monastery, teaching the monks spear techniques and learning their hand-to-hand combat techniques. Legend has it that he once watched two roosters fight, and this became the ultimate impetus for the formulation of Xinyiquan (Heart and Will Fist). In the Shaolin Monastery it continued under the name Xinyiba and was considered an advanced, secret element of the Shaolin martial arts repertoire. Outside the monastery, Ji’s most famous students were Cao Jiwu and Ma Xueli in Henan Province.

Ma Xueli pioneered the development of the Xinyi Liuhequan branch. It utilizes the Ten Animal Exercises. The teachings of Ma Xueli and Cao Jiwu were later brought to Shanxi Province. There, Dai Longbang (1732–1801) developed a branch known as Dai Xinyiquan. It incorporates not only the Ten Animal Exercises but also the Five Element Exercises. It features specific dantian exercises, unheard of elsewhere.

The next stage was the development of Xingyiquan (Fist of Form and Will). This system, initially practiced in Shanxi and Hebei provinces, was pioneered by Li Luoneng, also known as Li Nengran (1807-1888). He most likely studied with Dai Longbang’s son or another of his students, Guo Weihan. In Xingyiquan schools, the santishi position appears as the basis of training, the 5-element methods are present, and the number of animals increased to 12. The method of movement is distinctly different here than in Xinyi Liuhequan and Dai Xinyi. It is known that Li practiced martial arts before beginning to study Xinyi. This likely influenced the development of the new system.

Li Luoneng taught in Shanxi and Hebei provinces. In Shanxi, his first student was Che Yizhai. Later, the brothers Song Shirong (1849-1927) and Song Dehu studied with Li. The most famous students in Hebei province were Guo Yunshen (1829-1898) and Liu Qilan (1819-1889). Many Xingyiquan students and masters worked as security guards for merchant transport, where they had the opportunity to practice their skills.

Wang Xiangzhai (1885-1963) studied with Guo Yunshen, then continued his studies with other students, and in the 1920s initiated the development of the Yiquan system. Yao Zongxun (1917-1985) became the heir to Wang Xianghai’s teachings. Since the 1990s, we have been following the teachings of Yao Zongxun’s son, master Yao Chengguang.

Li Cunyi (1847-1921) studied with Liu Qilan, and his student was Zhang Junfeng (1902-1974), who founded the Taiwanese lineage, one of whose representatives is Luo Dexiu. From him and his European representative, Edward Hines, we learn Xingyiquan and Baguazhang.

For more about our Xingyi and Bagua, including workshops and online courses please follow Edward’s website: I-Bagua.com