What is Xing Yi Quan?
Like all internal arts, Xing Yi Quan (pronounced “Shing Ee Chuan”) implements synchronized body motions to generate explosive power, intended to overwhelm the opponent with simultaneous attacks and defenses. Where Xing Yi differs from its sister arts is that there is a greater emphasis on linear movements and advancing, as opposed to, say, Tai Chi and Ba Gua’s circular, evasive maneuvering. The idea in Xing Yi is to drive through the opponent in a series of explosive bursts. It is generally performed faster than Tai Chi and has shorter forms. Xing Yi Quan is based on five elements and twelve animal forms. The five elements are Splitting, Drilling, Pounding, Crossing, and Crushing. The twelve animals are Bear, Eagle, Snake, Tiger, Dragon, Chicken, Horse, Swallow, Sparrowhawk, Monkey, Turtle, and Phoenix.
