The Essence of Xingyiquan: From San Ti Shi to Pi Quan Within the world of Chinese Internal Martial Arts, Xingyiquan (形意拳)—the “Boxing of Form and Intent”—stands as a discipline that unites mind and body through profound structural awareness. Though its outward appearance seems straightforward, its depth conceals the very heart of internal transformation. At the foundation of Xingyiquan lies San Ti Shi (三体势), the “Three-Body Posture.” This stance is not merely a static position, but the living ar

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The Living Transmission of Xingyiquan In the ancient writings of Xingyiquan, the fists are not merely movements of the body but extensions of the intent (意). The classics remind us: “The intent leads, the qi follows, and the body obeys.” Without intent, Pi Chuan and Beng Chuan become hollow gestures; with intent, even the smallest motion carries the force of mountains and rivers. From yesterday’s foundation of aligning the structure with gravity’s thread, we step into form — Pi Chuan (Splitting

The Dragon of Xingyiquan (龍形): Coiling Power and Hidden IntentionAmong the Twelve Animal Forms of Xingyiquan, Dragon (Long Xing) embodies the mysterious and expansive nature of the internal. It represents the unseen—intention that coils and strikes from within. Rather than direct, overt power, Dragon teaches us to spiral through the body, drawing force from the spine and waist in wave-like motions.The Dragon form emphasizes: • Spinal undulation and vertical force • Rising and coiling energy (She