Shang
Yun-Xiang Style Xingyiquan: The Foundations and Subtleties of Xingyiquan
Training by Li Wen-Bin, translated by Lu Mei-Hui, is one of the few books
in English on some of the deeper points of theory, practice and usage of Xingyi
Quan (shape and mind boxing) Kung Fu available today. Shang Yun-Xiang was a
student of famed master Li Cun Yi and founder of the Shang school of Xingyi
Quan. His indoor students, Li Wen-Bin, Shang’s daughter Shang Zhi-Rong and Li’s
son, Li Hong, have produced a very interesting book that lives up to its title “The
Foundations and Subtleties of Xingyi Quan Training” by touching on, and adding
depth too, a number of theoretical and practical areas of Xingyi practice.
The opening section is about the
history of Xingyi Quan and the meaning of the Xingyi Quan “classics” for the
modern practitioner. An excellent high level overview of the history of Xingyi
is included without the usual silliness about General Yue Fe, caves and lost
scrolls. Perpetuating mythology is okay but it needs to be labeled as such, the
facts are loose enough surrounding the origins and the players involved in the
formation of Xingyi that increasing the confusion by adding mythological or
non-related historical figures does not add to the art, or our understanding of
it, in any way. By understanding the context and time these “classics” were
written in and how and why their meaning has changed as Xingyi has matured and
why they are still relevant are all addressed. The discussion of the Xingyi
classics, their permutations over the centuries and their roll in modern Xingyi
Quan alone is worth the price of the book.
The next section focuses on the stance
requirements of the Shang Style. Shang style Xingyi Quan is a type of Hebei
Xingyi Quan and, at a high level, uses many of the same training methods and
requirements as other Hebei schools. The fascinating thing about this book is
its discussion of the details specific to the Shang style discussed by high
level, indoor, Shang style practitioners. Discussions of standing, weight
distribution, hand position, internal power and their relation to the classics
within the context of the Shang style are all touched on.
There are also a number of special
topics or sections that may be of use to anyone practicing Hebei Xingyi Quan, a
Li Cun Yi or Shang Yun-Xiang style, by discussing a number of variations of the
five fists, weapons, Tuo Xing and Tai Xing from the Twelve Animals and San Ti
Shi – Three Harmonies Postures to name a few.
The last third of the book covers the Wu Xing Quan
(5 Elements Fist) and the Xingyi weapons, these sections provide less depth and
detail and focus more on the forms illustrated in the book. This is where, if
any where, this book falls short. I am not a fan of reproducing forms via
pictures in books. That was useful in the 80’s and 90’s but I logged onto You
Tube and in about five minutes I was watching Ms. Shang demonstrate the Wu Xing
making the pictures less useful or necessary.
This is not a book for someone
looking for a high level or general overview of Chinese Internal Martial Arts
or Kung Fu. This book is targeted at an audience who has some connection, be it
practical or academic, to Xingyi Quan in particular or Internal Martial Arts in
general. That being said, this book is well worth the price, go buy it.
Owen Schilling is a 20 year
practitioner and teacher of Xingyi Quan, Bagua Zhang and Tai Chi Quan, a
lineage holder in the Yi Zong School and the lead instructor at Boulder Internal Arts in Boulder,
CO.
No comments:
Post a Comment