Chinese Internal Boxing
CHINESE
INTERNAL
BOXING
Techniques of Hsing-i & Pa-kua
Robert W. Smith
and Allen Pittman
TUTTLE PUBLISHING
Tokyo • Rutland, Vermont • Singapore
Please note that the publisher and authors of this instructional book are NOT RESPONSIBLE in any manner whatsoever for any injury that may result from practicing the techniques and/or following the instructions given within. Martial arts training can be- dangerous—both to you and to others—if not practiced safely. If you're in doubt as to how to proceed or whether your practice is safe, consult with a trained martial arts teacher before beginning. Since the physical activities described herein may be- too strenuous in nature for some readers, it is also essential that a physician be consulted prior to training.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, Vermont 05759 U.S.A.
Text and illustrations copyright © 1989 by Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Smith, Robert W., 1926-
Chinese internal boxing : techniques of hsing-i & pa kua / Robert Smith, Allen Pittman.
p.cm.
Includes index.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-0442-6 (ebook)
I. Hand-to-hand lighting, Oriental-Psychological aspects. 2. Tai chi. 3. Kung fu. I. Pittman,
Allen. 11. Title.
GV1112.S58 2006
796.815'5—dc22
2006040392
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First edition
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Contents
Preface ix
Acknowledgments xiii
PART 1:
INTRODUCTION TO HSING-I BOXING
Name and Thing 3
History and Masters 7
Breathing and Body 9
Exercise and Meditation 11
PART 2:
The Five Positions 15
The Six Coordinations 15
The Nine Words 16
Other Pointers 18
4. Practicing the Five Fists 21
Preparation 23
Beginning 24
The Five Fists 26
• Splitting Fist (P'i ch'uan) 26
• Crushing Fist (Peng ch'uan) 30
• Drilling Fist (Tsuan ch'uan) 32
• Pounding Fist (P'ao ch'uan) 35
• Crossing Fist (Heng ch'uan) 37
Ending 39
Linking the Five Fists 41
5. Practicing the Twelve Animal Styles 47
Beginning 47
The Twelve Styles 49
• Dragon Style (Lung hsing) 49
• Tiger Style (Hu hsing) 55
• Monkey Style (Hou hsing) 58
• Horse Style (Ma hsing) 63
• Water Strider Style (T'ou hsing) 66
• Cock Style (Chi hsing) 69
• Falcon Style (Yao hsing) 72
• Swallow Style (Yen hsing) 74
• Snake Style (She hsing) 78
• T'ai Style (T'ai hsing) 80
• Combined Eagle-and-Bear Style (Ying-Hsiung hsing) 82
PART 3:
Philosophy and Practice 89
History and Masters 93
Substance and Function 101
Concepts Needed for Practice 103
Notes on Practice 105
The Teacher-Student Relationship 108
PART 4: