Hsing I Ch'uan

Xing Yi Quan
(形意拳)

Sun Lu-t'ang standing in San Ti Shi
Also known as	Hsing I Ch'üan
Focus	Internal mechanics (neijia), Striking, Takedowns
Hardness	Both hard and soft, depending on application
Country of origin	China
Creator	Yue Fei, circa 12th century (attributed as the legendary founder). Li Luoneng, 19th century (founder of modern Xing Yi Quan).
Famous practitioners	See under Famous Practitioners
Parenthood	The historical origins of this martial art are disputed (see under Lineage chart) and remain unclear. Modern Xing Yi originated from Dai Clan's Liu He Xin Yi Quan, was heavily influenced by military spear techniques, and was possibly also affected and shaped by other styles as well.
Olympic sport	No

Xing Yi Quan (Chinese: 形意拳; pinyin: Xíng Yì Quán; Wade–Giles: Hsing I Ch'üan) is classified as one of the Wudang styles of Chinese martial arts. The name of the art translates approximately to "Form-Intention Fist", or "Shape-Will Fist".

Xing Yi is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power that's most often applied from a short range. A practitioner of Xing Yi uses coordinated movements to generate bursts of power intended to overwhelm the opponent, simultaneously attacking and defending. Methods vary from school to school, but always include bare-handed fighting training (mostly in single movements/combinations and sometimes in forms) and the training of weapons usage with similar or identical body mechanics to that used for bare-handed fighting. The most basic notions of movement and body mechanics in the art were heavily influenced by the practice of staffs and spears. Historically and technically related martial arts include Dai Xin Yi Liu He Quan, Liu He Xin Yi Quan or Yi Quan.

The earliest written records of Xing Yi can be traced to the 18th century, and are attributed to Ma Xueli of Henan Province and Dai Long Bang of Shanxi Province. Legend credits the creation of Xing Yi to renowned Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) general Yue Fei, but this is disputed.

According to the book Henan Orthodox Xingyi Quan written by Pei Xirong (Chinese: 裴锡荣) and Li Ying’ang (Chinese: 李英昂), Xing Yi Dai Long Bang"...wrote the Preface to Six Harmonies Boxing in the 15th reign year of the Qianlong Emperor [1750]. Inside it says, '...when Yue Fei was a child, he received special instructions from Zhou Tong. Extremely skilled in spearfighting, he used the spear to create fist techniques and established a skill called Yi Quan (意拳). Meticulous and unfathomable, this technique far outstripped ancient ones."