Xingyiquan (literally “Mind/Form” or “Shape/Will” Boxing) is one of the oldest and best known of the Chinese internal martial arts. It is the art of imposing your will on your opponent by using five shapes or phases of energy and the fighting intent of twelve different animals. These five fundamental movements are: Pi (Split), Zuan (Drill), Beng (Expand), Pao (Cannon), and Heng (Sideways Shear). The five movements are matched up with Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth elements from the Five Element Theory. Since the late Southern Song Dynasty, nearly one thousand years ago, Xingyiquan has been the basic training for new recruits of the Chinese army. Whether Marshal Yue Fei (1103-1142AD), the great Chinese hero and Defender of the Realm, actually created this art or not is still being debated. He did, however, pass down many treatises on this art and codified its training program so a new soldier had only to learn five Fist patterns; something he could do in a fairly short time. These same five energy patterns also adapted themselves to universal weapon techniques giving the soldier the ability to simply use whatever weapon was at hand: sword, saber or spear. In consideration of the weight of military armor and weapons, all extraneous movements were eliminated and the footwork pared down to the half-stepping necessary to get in out of fighting range.

Although Xingyiquan is classified as an internal style, its theory and principles are very different from those of other internal styles, such as Taijiquan and Baguazhang.. Taiji uses defense as an offense, sticking, following and emphasizing power that is soft as a whip, but strong and penetrating.  Baguazhang emphasizes circular movements combined with constant stepping and the power of a coiled spring that can explode in any direction. Xingyi uses offense as a defense. Its power is like a rattan staff: soft at the beginning yet hard at the instant of striking.

Xingyiquan movements are easy to learn, but like anything else, to master it requires dedication and hard work. It is an excellent introduction to the internal side of martial arts training for the external martial artist. It is also an excellent transition style for Taijiquan students to gradually get more involved with the fighting aspects of his/her training.