Learn Sun-style Hsing-I Chuan (孙氏形意拳)
Introduction to Sun-Style Hsing-I Chuan (孙氏形意拳)
If you are familiar with Chinese characters, you will know what it means as soon as you see the name “Hsing-I Chuan”(形意拳). Hsing refers to form or shape and “I” commonly refers to the mind or intent. Chuan [fist] denotes a method of unarmed combat. Hsing-I Chuan is commonly referred to as Form and Mind boxing. The name illustrates the strong emphasis placed on the motion of the body being subordinate to conscious control. The form the body takes is an external manifestation of the internal state of mind and is the underlying premise behind Hsing-I Chuan as a method of combat.
The direction of movement in Hsing-I forms is predominately linear. Practitioners walk through the forms coordinating the motions of their entire bodies into one focused now. The hands, feet, and torso all arrive together and the nose, lead hand, and lead foot are aligned along the same vertical axis (San Jian Xiang zhao - 三尖相照). The arms are held in front of the body and the practitioner lines up his or her centerline with the opponent’s centerline.
The techniques of Hsing-I Chuan are characteristically aggressive in nature and the Hsing-I Chuan fighter prefers to move into the opponent with a decisive strike at the earliest opportunity. The style prizes the economy of motion and the concept of simultaneous attack and defense. As the name implies, the form or shape of the movements is only a physical manifestation of one’s internal state (intent). A fundamental principle underlying all styles of Hsing-I Chuan is that the mind controls and leads the movements of the body.
A familiar adage of Hsing-I Chuan is that “the hands do not leave the [area of] the heart and the elbows do not leave the ribs.” There are few kicks in the style and the techniques are predominately percussive in nature. Great emphasis is ‘placed on the ability to generate power with the whole body and focus it into one pulse which is released in a sudden burst.
As well as effective combat martial arts, Sun-Style Hsing-I Chuan is also an excellent health exercise. It is suitable for people of all levels of physiques and ages. Movements are simple and easy to learn and practitioners can practice the arts at their own level of capabilities. It is excellent for building physical as well as mental strength.
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