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I very often come across people asking why they don't see many xingyi fighters. My answer is going to annoy some people, and maybe even anger some, but I must be honest.
Xingyi is a very complex art, and it really takes years to master. The fact is, that many of the so called experts of Xingyi in America, have really not learned how to use Xingyi for fighting. Yes some are great fighters, and in know way am I trying to say that I have anything more than they do, or that I am better at the art. I am simply being honest with myself, and hopefully others can do the same. I have seen what real Xingyi looks like, when in application, and it is like a train mowing you over, it is aggresive,yet controlled,it is hard and soft, It is not the five element boxing that I see most schools doing today.The Masters before us have all followed a traditional training method, and many reached incredible skill levels. With past Masters in Song style, Che style,Dai style,Hebei style, and Henan style gaining incredible reputations for their skill in internal Gong Fu,Why today are there so few people with these true skills?The new generation, myself included, need to follow these methods, and be patient. I see very few people of our generation with any real Internal Gong Fu. It is my desire, to go back to basics, and be patient. I have used Xingyi in self defense, but I now realize I also was guilty of moving to quickly in my training.I can only explain methods about Shanxi styles, because this is what I have been taught.
Xingyi basics, take many hours, and the theory goes very deep. Most xingyi schools would not keep enrollment if people were forced to stand for hours, or do moving qi gong, or dantien methods. They would be frustrated after a few weeks, and want to do some punching, etc. So real Xingyi Masters are forced to commercialize the art. Make it more fun for people. Also, very few Chinese were taught the system in a traditional manner, and the ones that were, worked very very hard, and they will not just give away their gold to some Americans because of money.
Shanxi Xingyi basics may include several stances, and countless dantien methods, but each one takes time, and cannot be rushed. Some people learn from seminars, and think they have it, because what they learned, does allow them to hold their own, against stronger opponents. Then these people think they understand the art, based on books written and translated into English. Other students become disciples, and think they are getting the keys to the kingdom, or they go to china, and learn a bunch of techniques and come home thinking they understand the art.
Going to China is a big deal, and I am sure you will get something of value, however, when learning Xingyi, one may learn one technique, or theory, and need months on that one thing, in order to progress. So going to china and coming home with a bunch of material is something to be proud of, however it is not a deep understanding of Xingyi. I believe that if you have access to your Master on a weekly basis in your country, and go to China,for advanced training it will be of great benefit,or if you could stay in China for a few months at a time, every year. You will already be part of a family, and they may teach you properly, as opposed to someone unknown to the family, paying for a month long intensive. I plan on going there, and learning more detail on certain things, and also to appreciate the culture. I have some gong fu brothers that have gone, and along with their weekly classes, the China trip was worth their effort.
My Master taught me stances, dantien, and then Tan Tui. We then worked on Pi Quan alone, for over a year. Then it was footwork. Many students learn all this and more in one weekend from seminars, and from camps, etc, because seminars and camps are used to spread the art, to get people interested. The material given out at one seminar, is usually enough to last a year ot two, if practiced daily.
So how does one progress and use Xingyi as it was intended(Internal)? One must cultivate Qi, learn Body methods, one must connect the Xing and the Yi. Connecting the Xing and the Yi, is more than just having intent. It is like a state of no distraction, a state of calmness, and a state of oneness with your art. It is no easy task, to rid your mind of all your years of stress, and baggage, to be able to blank everything out, and be in the moment. It takes many years of cultivation.
All the classics talk of the body, mind connection, the heart and mind, the form and mind, the classics are deep, yet people want to quote them, but not manifest them in their technique. Many people are only concerned with fighting, and feeling tough, quoting Xingyi idioms of "no retreat" attitude, yet they have missed the rest of the equation. Xingyi is famous for body method and without it, it is low level.Xingyi five element punches are not simply 5 punches from boxing
It is undeniable, that the skill of most Xingyi practicioners of today, cannot compare to the Masters of old. What can we do to change this? We must educate ourselves in the classics, the true essence of Xingyi Quan. Take no shortcuts, and we will see gradual improvements.I personally feel a deep understanding of Chinese Medicine is needed to develope Internal skill,or to even understand what your teacher is explaining is going on in the body, or where to focus your attention.
As a teacher myself, I do teach my own crosstraining system, in order to teach people to fight in a short period of time, we do not live on a Mountain, where we are not in danger at all. People need some tools to defend themselves from daily problems.My system includes elements from several Arts, as well as Xingyi.
I teach Xingyi Quan as an art by itself at a very slow pace, to a select group of students,and I am also training with my students as I teach. As expected, enrollment in Xingyi class is small, due to the fact that most people judge a book by it's cover, and see stance training, and slow progression as a waste of time.
The students who have the mind, and eye, for Internal Martial Arts can see through these distractions, and will put in the time and hard work to reap the rewards.If you are looking to fight in a short period of time, Xingyi can be used as an external art, and work fine, but If you are looking for no nonsense very effective,very realistic gong fu,it takes years for the skills to be developed. I am on this journey myself, and I now have the patience and understanding, to appreciate it's value.
I have seen people write articles,and explain that Xingyi System can be taught very quickly, but takes years to develope. I am not aware of how this is possible,considering their are stances, body methods, 5 element punches with up to 20 variations of some of them,there are 12 animals with many variations of each animal, many two person sets, many weapon sets,throwing skills,trapping skills,and the list goes on.
Xingyi is not a system where one collects a bunch of forms,and just goes on to refine the forms for years to come. There is so much technical skills needed for any of the forms to amount to any skills,and you need a teacher to correct you often.In six years of Xingyi training, I have not come close to learning half of the system!
I was taught the drills and techniques of the traditional way, and given much material by my Teacher,with corrections,now it is again, on me, to either train it or pass it on. I plan on doing both, and growing while teaching my students.I will be corrected on my skills often by my Master. I have a long road ahead, but I am very excited about this task.
Without developing the foundation and body method, your Xingyi will be nothing more than regualr boxing techniques,so why not just study boxing?
SHIFU DAN REGAN
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