Description
Xingyi Eight-word Skill
形意八字功
Demonstrator: Di Guoyong
Order No. D1338
ISBN: N/A
EAN: N/A
Picture Format: NTSC (good for North American users)
Length: 70 min.
Number of Disc: 1
Language: Chinese with English and Simplified Chinese subtitles
Publisher: People’s Sports Audio & Video Publishing House
Price: $14.95
Eight-word Skill is named after the eight words — spreading, intersecting, wrapping, striding, flicking, butting, clouding and leading. Every routine that is related to each word has its own exercise methods, skills and applications. Each of them can be practiced individually or jointly.
Xingyi quan is one of the three major “internal” Chinese martial arts. The other two are Taiji quan and Baguazhang. Xingyi quan translates approximately to “Form/Intention Boxing”, or “Shape/Will Boxing”, and is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power. Its origins are traceable to the 18th century and may go back even further. There is no single organizational body governing the teaching of the art, and several variant styles exist.
A Xingyi quan fighter uses efficient coordinated movements to generate bursts of power intended to overwhelm the opponent, simultaneously attacking and defending. Forms vary from school to school, but include barehanded sequences and versions of the same sequences with a variety of weapons. These sequences are based upon the movements and fighting behavior of a variety of animals. The training methods allow the student to progress through increasing difficulty in form sequences, timing and fighting strategy.