Yi Quan Training Journal - November 2006

This entry is my attempt to take all the knowledge and experienc I've acquired on the subject of Yi Quan and provide my own unique point of view. I have to admit, my dedication is not consistent. I commit to aprox. 1hr standing per week. That's broken up into small intervals here and there. I found myself avoiding practice because the conditions weren't perfect, i.e. silent surroundings, no bing bong music, not enough time, etc.. I started researching Yi Quan more and more to get all the details about what you should be thinking about while standing still and what you should feel at certain points. After driving myself nuts with too much to think about and over analyzing, I thought I just start doing it. After a little over a year, I began to feel sensations in my fingers, hands and arm pits. I also noticed the difference between when I was rooted and when I was off balance. During the weeks with several days between practice, I could feel myself become more clumsy with my balance when I attempted Xing Yi. I wasn't falling over, but I could definitely sense the difference. This sensation led me to increase my practice times to as much as an hour per session, but after these I wouldn't practice again for almost a week. During the 1 hour sessions, I experimented with music. I tried to get into the bing bong traditional monk music, but I couldn't get lost in the stance work. On one occasion I swapped out the bing bong stuff for some music I can get lost in. I know this music very well and can subconsciously tell how much time has passed because I'm familiar with the song. That session was my best up until that point. I was able to switch between postures at even intervals without looking at a clock, which often reminds me how much standing can hurt. I'm able to stay focused on stillness and calm my mind. I don't know if this work for everybody, but it helped me. I've also notice a more unified feeling with my top and bottom half of my body. My body seems to understand what I'm trying to do and is helping me get there. In the beginning all my body did was hurt, but now thru the pain there is a definite sensation of connectivity. I'm determined to stick with the basics of mastering physical stillness. Once I've grasped that concept and I can apply it, I will move onto mental and emotional stillness training. I've learned not reach beyond my skills. Enhance my skill and the next level will come into reach automatically. Don't forget to check out http://www.OCFightCenter.com and http://www.chinesefightingarts.org for videos of Yi Quan in action.

Thymio / Pi Chuan

Xing Yi (Hsing Yi) form - Pi Quan - Splitting Fist. I'm expressing fa jing intentionally to train my intent.

Yi Quan

Lao Shr Poindexter (my instructor) performing Yi Quan (I Chuan)

Yi Quan Training Journal - July 2006

Yi Quan (I Chuan) Practice
30 Minutes Standing

• 10 mins - Wu Ji
• 10 mins - Hold Belly
• 5 mins - Press Table
• 5 mins - Awareness excersice in Hold Belly Posture

Experience Notes:

I noticed a large amount of blood flow to my hands today. My fingers began turning blotchy red then purple. I was completely relaxed but still feeling strong. The last two sessions I've noticed a pleasent sensation in my lower legs when I sink into the postures. I'm able to sink low and it feels like my feet are stuck to the floor. Instead of feeling strain on my quad muscles, I'm now feeling a comfortable stable feeling in my lower legs. I'm actually looking forward to standing excercise.

Background:

I'm becoming more addicted to Yi Quan the more I play with it. My Shr Fu (instructor) James Poindexter told me I have to commit to 100 hours of Yi Quan to begin experiencing its true power. I never tracked my time before, but now I'm determined to document as much as possible. I want to pass this skill on to my children and family. I've been studying internal martial arts for about 2 and half years.

Efthymios Barbatsis - Battle of the Champions V - 3rd Fight

3rd Fight of 3 during an Amateur Pankration tournament in Imperial Beach, Ca. Efthymios (black trunks - with hair) wins by submitting his oponent with a rear choke. Efthymios is a student of Chinese Fighting Arts in Costa Mesa, Ca. Visit http://www.chinesefightingarts.org and http://www.ocfightcenter.com Hsing I, Ba Gua, I Chuan and MMA action!

Xing Yi Quan - Training Tips

Xing Yi Quan - Six Harmonies

Xing yi quan was originally called Xinyi Liuhe Quan (Heart Mind Six Harmonies Boxing). This was in reference to the 3 internal and 3 external principles that are the key element to Xingyi training. The six harmonies are:

1. The shoulders harmonize with the hips,
2. The elbows harmonize with the knees,
3. The hands harmonize with the feet,
3. The heart harmonizes with the intent,
4. The intent harmonizes with the qi,
5. The qi harmonizes with the power.

In order for your jing to be effective and powerful, these principles must be followed, regardless of the style you practice.When the hands and feet arrive together in sync, the shoulders relaxed while the hips firmed internally, and the elbows are dropped while the knees lock, then the entire body will move as one unit. Through diligent practice these movements become natural. The emotional mind will remain calm and concentrated, and the qi will flow unimpeded.

"If the hands are raised but the feet are not raised, it is a waste of time. Never move the hands for no reason. The elbows do not leave the ribs, the hands do not leave the heart. The hands enter and exit openings and the body follows close behind. Wait until the opponent's intent lags, then attack. The shoulders push the elbows, the elbows push the hands." - Dai Long Bang, 1750 A.D.