Xingyi Quan Kung Fu: Six Harmonies into Battle

Along with baguazhang and taijiquan, xingyiquan is known as one of the Big Three of Chinese internal kung fu. Xingyiquan literally means "shape of the mind fist." Although its origins are unknown, we can, with fair certainty trace this style back to the 18th century to the earliest written records of to Ma Xueli of Henan Province and Dai Longbang of Shanxi Province. However, legend would have us believe that the art was formed by the famous 12th century general, Marshall Yueh Fei. In China there has always been a penchant for attributing the origin of things to famous personages of the past, gods or heroes, or Daoist/Buddhist saints. Marshall Yueh also supposedly founded Eagle Claw boxing and the well-known qigong (energy training) set- Eight Brocades.

Supposedly after being lost for over 500 years, a boxing manual attributed to General Yueh was found by Ji Jike, also known as Ji Longfeng. Ji was born at the end of the Ming Dynasty in Shanxi Province where he endured a classical training. Depressed at his life as an official surrounded by a corrupt system, Ji became an itinerant martial artist. He scoured the surrounding area for any hint of a master with extraordinary skills. It is during this time that Ji supposedly found the general's book. Ji family chronicles, however, attribute Ji himself with founding xingyi's empty hand boxing based on the actions of the spear.

Next, Ji taught his art, which he called "Six Harmonies" (Liu He), to Ma Xueli and Cao Jiwu. It is believed in some circles that Cao Jiwu taught Dai Longbang, forming Dai family xinyiquan (heart/mind fist). Dai then taught the famous Li Luoneng (Li Nengran)

Li, born in 1807 in Hebei Province, is one of the most famous teachers in xingyi history. He is most known for producing an outstanding generation of practitioners with such notables as: Guo Yunshen, Che Yizhai, Liu Qilan, Bai Xiyuan, and Song Shirong.