FIRSTGATE Hsing_I -five elements -metal

Xingyi in action demands lighting striking. The blows travel quickly along a straight line to the opponent's center, and can twist and angle in their exposition.. Use of internal power and the fundamental postures function as dynamic structures that can protect the body in motion any attacks works towards the opponent's center.

Xingyi students begin by repeatedly practicing the five fists and the basic, back-weighted Santi stance to develop power and coordination. As they advance they learn to link the five fists into a set that exercises their ability to move naturally from one fist to the next.

In acquiring the twelve animal forms one can combine the five fists and elaborate them in various ways.

The twelve animals commonly associated with Xingyi practice are Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Snake, Chicken, Swallow, Hawk, Crocodile, Ostrich, Eagle, and Bear.