Xing Yi
形意拳
Xing Yi Quan (形意拳, "Form-Intention Fist") is one of the three major Chinese internal martial arts — neijia (內家). It uses direct, linear strikes based on the wu xing (五行, Five Elements) — pi (劈, splitting), beng (崩, crushing), zuan (鑽, drilling), pao (炮, pounding), heng (橫, crossing) — and shi er xing (十二形, twelve animal forms).
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Xing Yi develops explosive, penetrating fa jin (發勁, power release) from simple, direct movements. Its wu xing (五行, five-element) system provides a clear structure for developing internal striking ability.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
San Ti Shi (三體式, trinity standing meditation)
Wu Xing Quan (五行拳, Five Element Fists) — pi (劈), beng (崩), zuan (鑽), pao (炮), heng (橫)
Shi Er Xing (十二形, twelve animal forms — dragon, tiger, monkey, horse, etc.)
Explosive linear fa jin (發勁, power release)
Internal body mechanics — neigong (內功) — and breath coordination
Your First Class
Wear comfortable clothing. Expect San Ti standing meditation, the five basic fists (wu xing), and possibly stepping drills. Classes run 60-90 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Legends of Xing Yi
Sun Lutang (孫祿堂)
Sun Lutang was the only martial artist in history to achieve mastery in all three major internal Chinese martial arts — Xingyi Quan, Baguazhang, and Tai Chi Chuan — and synthesized them into Sun-style Tai Chi. His scholarly writings were the first to articulate internal martial arts theory in print.
Li Luoneng
Guo Yunshen
Wang Xiangzhai
Related Styles
Bagua
Baguazhang (八卦掌, "Eight Trigram Palm") is a Chinese internal martial art — neijia (內家) — characterized by continuous circular walking — zou zhuan (走轉) — rapid direction changes, and open-palm strikes. It is designed for fighting multiple opponents.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi — Taijiquan (太極拳) — is a Chinese internal martial art practiced for health, meditation, and self-defense. Its slow, flowing movements build balance, reduce stress, and develop internal energy — qi (氣).
Kung Fu
Kung Fu — gongfu (功夫) — is a broad term for Chinese martial arts, or wushu (武術), encompassing hundreds of styles. Training typically includes forms — taolu (套路) — conditioning, and combat applications with an emphasis on philosophy and tradition.
Wing Chun
Wing Chun (詠春拳) is a Southern Chinese martial art emphasizing close-range combat, simultaneous defense and attack, and economy of motion. Popularized globally by Ip Man and Bruce Lee, it uses centerline theory and sensitivity training — Chi Sau (黐手, sticky hands).
Popular With
Chi Master
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
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