Monday, October 12, 2009
Very Powerful Internal Animal Forms
I really, really like this video showing the exercises of Xinyiliuhe, more on the style in a moment.
First of all, consider the variety of technique and the amount of exercise this guy gets done in an extremely small space, no larger than an elevator. Watch as he first goes through the particular animal form with relaxed attitude. Gradually he builds until you can clearly see the martial intent. The spurring of the Rooster, the siezing of the Eagle, the knock-down power of the bear, the defensive covering from blows to the head as the Tiger washes his face. Nice elbow striking also.
Now for the style itself:
The best information I found was here on Jerek Szymanski's "China From Inside". Jerek is a very active journalist and historian living and Training in China, and has some of the best reporting on the lineage of Chinese martial arts.
"As stated in his article, Xinyiliuhe is a Moslem (his spelling) martial art meaning "Fist of Mind, Intention and Six Harmonies". From Jerek's article:
The art of Xinyi Liuhe Quan was passed secretly among Chinese Moslems and has been known as "the most cruel style among Chinese martial arts"
-- As I said above, see how little room you need to do a complete martial arts workout? I can run an hour of Tai Chi Chuan, intense Bagua and a cool-down with Xingyi in less than an eight-by-twelve area (although I prefer outdoors).
Oh, and by the way, I shamelessly ripped this cool video off from The Emptyflower Forum, a source for lots of Chinese internal arts stuff.
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5 comments:
I myself was taught to do the main form of liuhebafa in a confined space by my teacher, and all it takes is a little adjustment of your footwork. I'd do the form regularly until i reached the limit of my practice space and then, if the form called for a forward step, i'd take a backward step instead... and vice versa!
My teacher then showed me that you could apply these adjustments to the forms of any style, and this sort of practice is in fact necessary to develop fluid, changeable footwork.
Tristan
I forgot that if there's enough space left to take a half step (in the direction the form is taking and continuing in), make the half step instead of the reverse step. After you've made the half step, adjust your posture to the correct width by moving the trailing foot in the opposite direction of the half step.
Make the reverse step only if the limited space does not permit a half step or more. Don't make a step less than half that called for in the regular form.
Tristan
Here is George Xu doing the same style in 1989. I would venture to say he is ten times better now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiguQROZ1iU
The repitition reminds me of Chan Ssu Jing, silkreeling, practice... the practitioner in the video shows he has practiced the form for enough time to know it well, and now can focus on potential applications from within the movement - which are many. Nice solo practice.
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