Hsing Yi Chuan

by Alan Dougall and Yang Jwing-Ming

Traditional training methods from this well-known Chinese martial art. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0940871084
• ISBN13: 9780940871083
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: YMAA Publication Center
• Length: 140 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.0" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

buy this book only if you like to think

The reason I especially like Yang's books is that they force the student to think outside of the "box." Yang realizes full well that a martial arts book can only enhance - not replace live instruction. As a former university teacher he is used to forcing his students to think outside of the "box." If you have been through enough college texts, then you know that they will solve the simpler problems up front and leave the more complex ones for the students to solve, thus forcing them to think outside of the "box." At the introduction of Yang's "Hsing Yi Chuan" he also describes Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua Chang, and the ultimate combination of all three internal styles, Liu Ho Ba Fa. At appendix A containing "Yeuh Fei's Ten Important Theses" the concept of inserting the other internal styles is implied in certain concepts: For example, in the "Thesis of Stepping," the concept of "hern," to enwrap the opponent's attack to the side, is integral to the practice of Pa Gua Chang. Another example is in the passage, "If your opponent remains calm for a long time, you may want to do something to make him move first. Then you have to borrow a technique. This means that you temporarily `borrow` a technique to use it as a fake - it is not your actual attack. Such techniques cause the opponent to move and break down his concentration on his defense..." This tactic implies the "listening" of Tai Chi Chuan.In essence, the text forces the student to think outside of the "box" of Hsing Yi Chuan. That's what all the old songs, sonnets, and original Chinese texts are for throughout Yang's books; they force the readers to think outside the "box." The same can be said for "Liang Zhen Pu Eight Diagram Palm" by Li Zi Ming which is clearly for advanced students. This book consists mostly of translations of old songs and philosophy up front with a few pictorials at the back, but the purpose is clear; it's meant only as an enhancement to live training that forces the reader to think and translate those those thoughts externally to his practice. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not like being forced to think because they are too convenience oriented, so they poo poo on books like these.

Probably the ultimate Hsing Yi book

This is probably the best and most lucid book available on Hsing Yi (Xing I). Although Hsing Yi doesn't seem to be the core art of either of the authors, the writing is reasonably straightforward, and there are translations of Yueh Fei and similar texts. The 5 fists are described, with one form tying them together and another form from master Liang Shou Yu, incorporating the 12 animals. The two man form, Ann Shan Pau is shown, and a double deer hook set is demonstrated by dr. Yang. There are also 12 Chi Kung exercises included. The setup of this book is that the ancient texts are first shown in Chinese, then literally translated (in boldface) and then briefly interpreted and discussed. There is also an accompanying video available separately.

a great book on Hsing Yi Chuan

This book is the best on Hsing Yi that I have ever read. Master Liang Shou-yu's exposition is thorough and clean. The inclusion of the Hsing Yi classics is a stroke of genious as these texts are seldom available in English.

Very good Hsing-Yi book. Solid. Useful. (Just like Hsing-Yi)

Yet another exceedingly useful book from Shou-Yu Liang and YMAA. This book collected most of the old texts and dissertations on Hsing-Yi Chuan and presents new translations and commentaries. It also presents the root philosophies and concepts and explains their direct use in Hsing-Yi. This book is all you need to start improving your Hsing-Yi Chuan.

An essential resource

I believe that this is the best hsing-i book available. There is a massive (and somewhat daunting) volume of information here. For me the most important thing about this book is that the techniques displayed here are more realistic than those in the other hsing-i books I've seen. This is not to say that the techniques of the other books are ineffective: I think that an experienced instructor could demonstrate their value. For the solitary student though, you should get as much hsing-i literature as you can. Just make this book your first.