Small talk on Xing Yi Quan?

To practice Chinese martial arts or any other country's martial art, it is essential to read and understand that culture. When we talk about Xing Yi Quan, it is crucial to understand what it means. Xing means the shape or look of an object, while Yi refers to the essence or meaning of that object. Therefore, Xing Yi Quan is a style that focuses on the deeper meaning of movement and not just the way elements or animals move.

For example, in the 12 animals of Xing Yi, one of the animals is the bear. In this practice, you do not copy the bear's movements, but the master studies how the bear moves, how it walks, stands up, and how it moves its body. After studying these details, the master then looks at the human body and how to incorporate these ideas and ways of movement into it. Though humans and animals have similarities, they also have differences, which the master takes into account.

This style is different from modern Chinese martial arts, which is known as Wushu. Nowadays, Wushu only focuses on how to jump higher, make more twists in the air, and make the sword twist faster, with no deeper meaning behind the movements. When practicing Xing Yi Quan, it is important to focus on the movement first with just the body, then with the mind, and finally, to let the mind travel outside of the body.

Let me use the bear as an example again. When we observe a bear standing up, how do they do it? They stand up with their heads, and when they walk, do they move their heads or necks? Not really. So let's talk about foundational movement. First, let's try to imitate that - when you walk, try not to move your neck, and when walking slowly, let your leg and hip move together. Once you can do that, it's time to make your mind work with your body. What does that mean? Let me give you another example to help you understand. When you walk, how much is under your control? How much muscle power is being wasted? You can walk with less muscle engagement, but due to some bad habits, you may be using more energy and force than necessary. When you let your mind work with your body, you need to feel and work with your body every step of the way. You need to know which muscles are moving and whether you can move them without engaging those muscles. You should also be aware of how much pressure you are putting on each step and at what angle you are stepping. Once you can do all these things, you can move on to step three - let the force travel outside your body. Let's go back to the bear example. We say you need to walk with your head, what does that mean? That means you need to feel like something is pulling your head and that you are pushing your force up to your head and above it. This is the force traveling outside your body. When you feel like a force is pulling you, that's a good place to start.

If you think that the practice described sounds a lot like Tai Chi, you are 50% correct. While the two practices are similar, there are also many differences. This is why people study different styles based on their master's suggestion, as it can help improve their skills. Even if you don't particularly like Xing Yi, it is still worth studying as it can improve your abilities in other styles that you do enjoy

What is the Xing Yi you are practice in the Monk Wise?

The Xing Yi taught at Monk Wise originates from Shanxi, China. According to legend, the founder of Xing Yi was General Yue Fei during the Song Dynasty. One day, Xing Yi master Ji Ji Ke (姬際可) traveled to Zhongnan Mountain and discovered General Yue Fei's martial arts book. Some stories claim that he learned the style from a Taoist monk. The style is said to come from the Yue style Six Harmony Spear, which is why it is also said that when one puts down the spear, they are practicing Xing Yi.

Interestingly, when Master Ji Jike taught the style to his students, it was called Xinyi (心意). According to legend, Ji Jike taught Xinyi to some Shaolin monks, which is why one of the highest systems in Shaolin is called Xin Yi Ba (心意把). Later, Xinyi was passed down to Master Li Luo Neng (李洛能) who organized the style and renamed it Xing Yi (形意). However, there is still a big argument about this. Shaolin claims that they created Xinyi and that Ji Jike was just a student at Shaolin. They also argue that Xing Yi is different from Xinyi. It is up to the individual to decide what is real and what is not.

The line:

• Master Ji Jike (姬際可) – During the Ming dynasty, Master Ji Jike was known as the undefeated "Spear of God" and "God of the Fist".

• Li Luo Neng (李洛能)- also known as "The Fist of God", was the teacher of the founders of Che-style (車) and Song-style (宋) Xing Yi.

• Liu Qilan (劉奇蘭) – Master Liu, was a renowned practitioner of the dragon style in the 12 animal forms. He is credited with making the dragon style very popular, and there is a saying that goes "dragon style search deep in the bones" (龍形搜骨). Master Liu was also known for his friendly and helpful nature, and he would often assist practitioners of other styles who visited him to practice Xing Yi. One famous visitor was master Sun Lutang (孫祿堂), who was known as the number one hand of the world 天下第一手, as no one could defeat him at that time. Sun Lutang was also the founder of Sun style tai chi, Xin Yi, and Bagua, and was known as the tiger head general虎頭少保.

• Li Cunyi (李存義)- nick name single broad sword Li. The founder of Chinese martial art/samurai association(中華武士會) This association work closely with Chin Woo Physical Association. Samurai is a Japanese word, in Chinese is Wushi (武士)

• Chen Panling (陳泮嶺)-Vice president of the central Chinese martial art center(中央國術館).

• Weifo Jung and Adam Woolsey

There is much more to each master's story than just two sentences. If you want to learn more, purchase the upcoming magazine issue in May.

-Wei Fo Jung

Try Meditation, It Just May Be What You're Looking For

Meditation is making the rounds again.

It's been around for 1000's of years and is once again making it's way to mainstream society.  Below is an article, by Lien-Shun Huang of the Taiwan Jingwu Physical Association, explaining.

Article by Huan LIen-Shun:

Do you know what is now the most sought after fitness way is it? YOGA, jogging, Latin dance, aerobics or kick-boxing ? NO, is meditation ! Yes, that is to sit cross-legged or legs fall naturally sitting in a chair. This is a " sit- hot" has swept the United States, Britain and other countries and regions, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore , NBA Lakers coach Jackson are all sit- lovers .

Although your card until it expires fitness is difficult to spend so many times , but you have been convinced that life is movement , of course, nothing wrong words , and quite correct.However , in addition to sweating , rapid heartbeat can improve bodily functions outside , sit down quietly and sometimes also a very beneficial health movement.
In the United States , meditation has become a very fashion lifestyle , whether government agencies, companies , or schools, airports and prisons , have opened a " meditation room ."It is said that some schools because of the promotion , school violence meditation significantly reduced. Hospitals also began offering meditation courses to help patients relieve pain.

In the UK, sit charm so many people can not refuse , we have opened up a whole world at home , meditation time every day. They believe that meditation movement while exercising , but also let their attention more focused , more peaceful mind .

Sit- bar, access to health in silence .

We are working hard in the workplace Du Lala , as on foot daily alarm strings , one after another meeting , a letter and an e-mail , one after another the PPT exhausted. Back pain, anxiety , dull , and with re- thick foundation also cover any dark circles ...... inevitably become our close ally . Through meditation not only can improve the immune system , relieve anxiety , but also to achieve the goal of thin skin . If you do not have time in the gym every day taking a dip in one hour , then at least draw 10 to 20 minutes, practicing meditation now !

1 , relieve stress , increase happiness

Professor of medicine at Harvard University , said the study meditation can reduce muscle tension , reduce the amount of serum lactate . Tests show that daily meditation practice 20 minutes a week later , focus and control have been improved mood , anxiety , depression , anger and other negative emotions are substantially reduced. Moreover , meditation training can also thinning the blood circulation through the brain , so the brain response from the " fight or flight " to " accept the reality " , thus enhancing a person's happiness.

2 , protect the liver

After lunch, you will choose a nap , take a walk or go out immediately ? In fact , it is best to sit peacefully and a half hour or so, and then do something else , which is necessary for the maintenance of the liver . People in after dinner , participate in the blood are concentrated to digest food in the digestive tract , when lying down to standing by the body , into the liver blood flow will be reduced by 30% , if we move up into the liver 's blood continued to decline . If insufficient blood supply to the liver in the case among its normal metabolic activity will be affected. So, after dinner to sit quietly , eyes closed for 10 to 30 minutes more than the blood flow to the liver as possible , the supply of oxygen and nutrients in liver cells .

3 , precipitation of appetite , weight control

Fast-paced urban life , making us not hurry , usually working lunch also and fight like a quick fix , and once had time to rest , and easy to eat too much , resulting in fat will occur . In fact , the behavior of overeating is caused by stress , when you desperately need to release stress through food , may wish to "sit " down to relieve stress , relax and let the " bites " the idea of ettling down after eating, so help at slow down the speed of eating , tasting the food in slowly , will gradually reduce food intake , easily farewell " bucket waist ."

4 , lower blood pressure , cardiovascular disease away

The United States has been on a number of sit- interference in patients with hypertension therapy and found that meditation training so that the patient's systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 4.7 mm / Hg and 3.2 mm / Hg. Visible meditation is very effective for lowering blood pressure , which can greatly reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases , and will not produce side effects of drugs .

5 , relieve pain, painkillers farewell

Friends visited a few days, unbearable pain too often accompanies , painkillers become an indispensable lifeline , though you also worried about the side effects of the problem. Then try a sit-in , is very effective for pain relief . The study found that meditation does not change although the degree of pain , but the pain can be reduced because of the emotional response generated . Because practicing meditation can train the brain to focus current situation , so it takes less time to predict future adverse events.

Office midday sit- 7 steps

Some people say "sit , like gasoline, is a source of energy ," eight hours a day working in the unit , lunch break is critical , it may pull out 10 minutes a day to sit quietly , maybe you will have unexpected gains .

1 Adjust the seat to the proper height , wore hip back

2 feet reach slightly over the knee

3 palm up , on the thigh

4 head naturally upright , avoid stiff

5 Relax your shoulders , do not shrug drooping

6 Close your eyes and spit aggregate , together lips, tongue touching the palate

7 Slowly inhale , exhale , keep breathing slender far-reaching

1 meditating longer the better?

When just beginning to practice meditation , every 15 minutes to half an hour is appropriate , and gradually increased to 1 hour .

2 If chores too , can not get down to how to do?

You can try accompanied by some soothing music, or is designed to guide the practice of meditation music , but to concentrate on the breathing above .

READ THE FULL ARTICLE IN CHINESE HERE:

No Beginning Comes Without Challenges

Any Beginning comes at a price.