Xingyiquan 形意拳 (Straight Line Boxing)

Xingyiquan, (literally Form-Intent Boxing), is a serious and powerful style of martial art which utilizes aggressive straight-line attacks. For many hundreds of years it has been the art of choice for soldiers and bodyguards in China. It was founded by the great master Li, Luo-Neng, who created it based on the system of XinYiQuan, (Heart-Intent Boxing), which he had learned in Shanxi Province. The system is based on the theory of five elements from the I Ching or Taoist Book of Changes, and makes use of twelve major animals in the formation of the various barehand and weapon sets as well as fighting applications. From Li, Luo-Neng’s time, the art has been passed down through the generations. There are several lineages taught at the Wudang Internal Martial Arts Academy. The systems taught can be broken down into categories of Hebei Province styles and Shanxi province styles, or Northern and Southern branches. Representing the South is Che Style Xingyiquan coming from the great Shanxi master Che, Yi-Zhai.

Che, Yi-Zhai was the first disciple of Li, Luo-Neng in Shanxi Province, and aided his master in the formation of the system. After Li, Luo-Neng returned to his home in Hebei Province, Grandmaster Che continued to create and add more components to his already huge system. What distinguishes Che Style Xingyiquan is its vast number of internal power training methods and two-person fighting forms.

A strong emphasis is placed on function in Che style, whether for internal cultivation or external combat. Many of the movements make use of special body movements to aid in dispelling chronic conditions such as back pain, fatigue, scoliosis, etc. In application, it is primarily used for close-range combat resulting in instant takedowns.

Master Chang and Dr. Lu are 4th Generation successors of Shanxi Che Style Xingyiquan under Grandmaster Yang, Fan-Sheng who was widely regarded as one of the top Xingyiquan masters in Shanxi Province.

Also taught at the academy is Han Pai (Han Branch) Xingyiquan coming from the great master Han, Mu-Xia.

Han Pai Xingyiquan is well-known for its effective fighting techniques. It is the style of Xingyiquan taught by Han, Mu-Xia who made his name by beating many challengers inside and outside of the ring. Great Master Han most famously beat the top fighter from Russia in 1918 and was presented with 11 gold medals the fighter had taken from champions he had beaten in other countries.

Han, Mu-Xia was an innovator in martial arts. He was equally skilled in both Xingyiquan and Baguazhang. Because of his vast fighting experience, Grandmaster Han was able to see both the strengths and the weaknesses inherent to his styles. By discovering this, he was able to improve upon them and make them stronger.

For Xingyiquan, Grandmaster Han combined the strong points of both the Northern sects and the Southern sects of Xingyi. On top of this, he added aspects of Bagua into his Xingyi to make the system more flexible in combat. This system was passed down to Master Chang, Wu Na and Dr. Lu, Mei-hui by their master, Grandmaster Ma, Jie who was a disciple of Han, Mu-Xia and helped him to open one of the most famous Xingyiquan and Baguazhang schools in Tianjin, China, the “Ying Wu Hui”. It was famous for training warriors to fight against the Japanese invaders of the time.

Master Chang and Dr. Lu have taught the art of Xingyiquan all over China. They have much experience in Xingyiquan and are very knowledgeable on the history, theories, and applications of the art.