Many practitioners of Xingyi Quan (形意拳) encounter a very real predicament: during daily practice, the Five Elemental Fists (五行拳) are performed with formidable power, the routines are memorized to perfection, and movements flow like water. Yet once they put on boxing gloves and engage in sparring, their minds instantly go blank. They frantically search their memory
He Yunheng (贺运亨, 1839–1924), a native of Menggao Village, Taigu, Shanxi, and the second Shanxi disciple of Li Laoneng, the founder of Xingyi Quan, and the second‑generation Chuojiao grand master Wei Changyi (魏昌义, est 1835–1915, from Xiqizhuang, Lixian County, Hebei), who was then in charge of the Fuyuan Security Logistics Bureau in Beijing, formed a bond through martial arts.
"One Horse, Three Arrows" (Yi Ma San Jian - 一马三箭) is a signature combination technique defined by its relentless, explosive speed. The strikes are meant to be fired off one after another without pause, penetrating the opponent’s defense like a volley of arrows.
M. Zhang passed down a series of exercises designed to assist with internal development. "Lion Plays with Ball" builds foundational leg strength, while "Divine Dragon Turns Head" facilitates joint mobility. "Giant Python Shakes Head" & "Extracting Tendons" refresh the nervous system.
Our Xingyiquan is predominantly from the teachings of Chu Guiting and Shang Yunxiang, both disciples of Li Cunyi. However, they were also influenced by various other families. We present the foundation principles of six harmonies as they apply in concept and in combat.
形意拳术之始，本乎天地之大端与夫造化之原理，盖天地之辟于一无气也，万物之生于无知，形意之成本于无意。盖无意至极生有意，意诚心正，乃至于静，静则察候六脉、溶暇二气，静极生动，动而震发四肢，贯通百骸，是谓先天存乎静，后天藏诸动也。故意为体而形为用，静属阴而动属阳，体用动静得阴阳消长生生之功，而真一之气生焉，
五行拳解 五行者，金木水火土之谓也。如人之内有五脏，外有五官，与五行相合，心属火，脾属土，肝属木，肺属金，肾属水，此五行之隐于内者。目通肝，鼻通肺，舌通心，耳通肾，人中通脾，此五行之着于外者。五行有相生之道存焉，金生水，水生木，木生火，火生土，土生金；又有相克之义也，金克木，木克土，土克水，水克火，火克金。
《崩拳》是形意五行拳之一，其性属木。因其动作形如利箭穿物，拳击有力，能透腹背之意，更因其发力时威猛如山崩地裂，故名。历代形意拳名家高手多喜用之，如郭云深、李存义、傅剑秋等，尤以郭云深先生最负盛名，号称“半步崩拳打天下”。后来拳界提起形意拳，无不肃然起敬，可见崩拳在形意拳中所占有的重要地位。