Xingyiquan Overview

Xingyiquan or Hsing-I Chuan, Form Intention Boxing, is one of the three primary styles of Neijia or Internal Martial Arts. Neijia consists primarily of Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, and Taijiquan.  Although is roots are somewhat vague, much of its development is attributed to the Chinese hero General Yueh Fuei around 1100 A. D. Xingyiquan is one of the oldest systems to come out of China and many of its masters are subject of numerous songs and tales throughout the ages in China. The three primary style of Xingyi are ShanXi, Hebei, and Honan. The ShanXi and HeBei variants include movements based on the 5 elements or forms of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. They also include 12 forms based on the movements of animals. Xingyiquan in contrast to Baguaquan and Taijiquan tends to be more linear and direct.