Hsing-i Martial Art Qualities
Hsing-i's basic qualities as a martial art include:
- The energetic and combat intent behind a movement is emphasized more than the physical movements of the form.
- Functional power in each and every part of every movement, rather than only the ability to move well.
- Movements
that are designed purely from the viewpoint of combat effectiveness. In
hsing-i, any movement that is not functional or is wasted in either
solo forms, two-person practices or in combat is to be the equivalent of
a martial sin.
- Bu hao kan, hen hao yung (Chinese
phrase that describes hsing-i), freely translated means that hsing-i
does not look pretty, but works exceptionally well.
- A prime strategy that rests on the idea of never retreating.
- A mentality that is completely goal-oriented and based on a high level of calm aggression.
- A primary focus on developing yang (not yin) methods of internal power.
- Developing the outside of a practitioner's body to feel extremely hard to someone attacking it.
- A main philisophical orientation toward developing internal strength and unwavering focused intent.
The
image frequently used to describe the technique of hsing-i is that of
an iron ball rolling right over the opponent. Whether your body type is
thin or heavyset, one of your major internal goals in hsing-i is to sink
your chi to make your body and arms become incredibly heavy.