Xingyiquan or Xingyi is one of the three main Internal Chinese Martial Arts. The other two being Taichichuan (Tai Chi) and Bagazhang (Bagua). Tai Chi and Bagua both have many circular movements while Xingyi is almost entirely straight direct attacks. And while there are defensive techniques taught, it's generally built into the offenive tehniques. Again this demonstrates the aggressive nature and directness of the system.   These next two posts will cover the Five Elements of Xingyi. In fact, this art is often known as Five Element Fist. There are five personalities and each once of them corresponds with an element. Here…

The centreline is one of the most important concepts in the martial arts. People use it and are aware of it even if they don't realize. There are actually three separate centrelines and each one has its importance.    MIDDLE CENTRELINE - This line runs right down the front of your body and it's the line along which many of your vital organs are located   MOTHERLINE - This line runs right down the middle of your body and is responsible for your balance. Leaning too far forward, backward, or sideways will compromise this. You must always by balanced even if your weight is not…

The centreline is one of the most important concepts in the martial arts. Particularly in the Wing Chun system, the centreline is the key to everything. Unfortunately there are so many people out there practicing these arts who have no clue about it. It may sound ridiculous, but it's true.    The stance from Wing Chun known as Yee Jee Kim Yeung Ma (or Character Two Adduction Stance) is the primary method for training this. Every Wing Chun practitioner learns this on the first day of class and shifting follows soon after. As crucial as these things are, very few people actually…