Hsing-I (xingyiquan) translates as “Mind-Form Boxing.” Often said to be around 700 years old, it is considered the oldest of the classic internal martial arts. Many of the issues discussed in the pages that follow will be controversial.
For example, we will ask why most hsing-i/xingyiquan, most of the time, is not practiced in a truly powerful or effective way. Whether you are new to the art or an expert, we invite you to consider the points and training methods that follow with an open mind. We will discuss how power is trained and why, in many cases, effective use of hsing-i for self-defense is lost, and how you can tap into your body’s hidden power. For the beginner, our goal is to help you as you begin your hsing-i journey. For the expert, we hope that the ideas and discussion that follow will add to your appreciation of the art. First, we begin with an overview of the art:
