Wudang Xing Yi Quan(form-and-will boxing)
Xingyi Quan, also known as Xingyi Boxing, is one of the traditional Chinese martial arts. Although there are various accounts of its origin, the widely recognized founder is Ji Jike (1602–1680), a native of Puzhou, Shanxi (present-day Yongji City), who lived during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
When it was first created, Xingyi Quan was called Xinyi Liuhe Quan (Mind-Intention Six Unities Boxing), referring to the unity of: mind and intention, intention and energy, energy and strength, shoulder and hip, elbow and knee, hand and foot.
The modern popular version of Xingyi Quan was reformed and developed by Li Luoneng, a native of Shenzhou, Hebei Province, during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, based on the earlier Xinyi Quan. Xingyi Quan emphasizes the high integration of inner intention and external form. Later generations honor Li Luoneng as the grand master of Xingyi Quan.
The Xingyi Quan established by Li Luoneng consists of three core components: the Santishi Stance, the Five Elements Fists, and the Twelve Animal Forms.
The Santishi Stance is the unique basic skill and internal training method of Xingyi Quan, known as the saying that “All techniques originate from the Santishi Stance”.
The Five Elements Fists integrate the philosophical concepts of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, corresponding to:
Pi Quan (Splitting Fist) – Metal
Zuan Quan (Drilling Fist) – Water
Beng Quan (Crushing Fist) – Wood
Pao Quan (Cannon Fist) – Fire
Heng Quan (Crossing Fist) – Earth
The Twelve Animal Forms are combat techniques created by imitating the movements and characteristics of twelve animals, namely: Dragon, Tiger, Bear, Snake, Tai (a type of horse), Monkey, Horse, Rooster, Swallow, Crocodile, Harrier, and Eagle.