Tim,

I was wondering if you have had any experience in Yi Quan? What are your opinions about it as a fighting art?

Yuxian,
I practiced Yi Quan in Taiwan with Gao Liu De for two years. He was a student of Han Xing Yuan, a student of the founder. I think that the concepts and training found in Yi Quan are excellent, but nowadays it seems most people practice the art for 'health.' I met some practitioners in Beijing who were quite powerful, but there seemed to be a general lack of knowledge of technique. Of course, my exposure to Yi Quan practitioners on the Mainland is sparse.

Tim,

Thanx for the info. Since you have experience in Yi Quan may I ask you some other questions related to the art?

Sure.

Thanx. Here's my questions:

1) Your opinion on the Yi Quan ready stance where their centre line are physically very open with elbow pointed outwards? I know this posture is probably good for health related matters but I also see it used as a combat ready posture. Is there a good reason for it being used as a combat stance when it leaves what I considered to be vital parts very vulnerable?

2) I read/hear that western boxing has had an influence on Yi Quan. Some sources seem to openly acknowledge this while others seem to not want to mention it. Do you know the truth about this?

3) Are there any differences between the Yi Quan of Gao Liu De and say the Yi Quan of Yao Zongxun's lineage?

Two of the best web sites dedicated to Yiquan are:

www.yiquan.com.pl and
http://members.surfeu.fi/yiquan/

The second one hosts a very active discussion board on YiQuan.

I am not sure that YiQuan is one of Tim's main interests, but it is the sole topic on those two sites.

Best Regards,

Rick Matz

Yuxian,

I believe you are referring to the basic 'Jiji Zhuang.' I was taught that the posture was intended to cultivate a kind off 'ward off' energy and intent. We don't stand like that when actually sparring. In the on guard position, the elbows are normally brought in close to the sides of the body and the palms are angled outward somewhat.

I don't think Western boxing had much of an influence on Wang Xiang Zhai's original Yi Quan, as far as I know, he was not exposed to boxing during his training. There may be some similarities in the striking methods as Xing Yi Quan shares similar techniques. Wang's students may have incorporated boxing techniques at a later date.

I have never studied with anyone in Yao's lineage, but I have read his book (which I think is an excellent work). Yao's basic postures are very similar to the one's I was taught, although they are presented in a different order. The Shi Li are also similar, with many similar images. There isn't as much on technical application in the book, so I can't comment on that area. As far as I can tell, the basic practices seem very similar.


Rick, thanks for the links.

Tim,

The book written by Yao Zongxun you mentioned, there were some photographs of him and his son illustrating sanda and their postures show the elbows pointing outwards. However I find it curious the cover of the book show a young Yao Zongxun with a very closed and tighter hand placements. Anyway, I thank you for the answers you gave me, it has been very interesting.

Also, Thanx Rick for the sites =) .

Anybody know of english language materials on Taiki-ken, the Ichaun/hsingI variation taught by the late Sawai sensei. Every mention I know of regarding him is impressive. There is a web site by his successors but the few materials available are in japanese.

Mark,
There is an English language book called "The Essence of Kung Fu, Taiki-Ken" by Kenichi Sawai. It was published by Japan Publications (1976). The ISBN # is 0-87040-373-7

That book, unfortunately, is out of print. There is another one written by one of Sawai's students, along with Yao ChengGuang, a Beijing YiQuan teacher.

That book is names The Secret Techniques of Taikiken and YiQuan.

I have a copy on order, and would be happy to describe it, when it arrives.

As it is, it's an expensive one - about $72.

I found it at sasugabooks.com

Best Regards,

Rick Matz

One more question has anyone had experience with Yao ChengGuang's school in Beijing,or played with any of there students.I will be in Beijing for language study and was interested in training with them.I have contacted them but was interested in a outside veiw of there practises.Yuxian you might be interested to know that they are putting out an english VCD hopefully in the near future.

A good friend of mine visited China a couple of years ago, and spent something like a week in Beiing. There, he had several private lessons wiht Yao ChengGuang.

He thought Yao was the real deal. He had a very good method of teaching, and his students showed results in a fairly short time.

Best Regards,

Rick Matz

Yp¼ °i?
I am a beginner of Yiquan living in China. I had private lessons with Mr. Yao Chengguang and took part in his class too. He is a very dedicated and powerful teacher. If you have any specific questions connect me on my email, I will try to answer.

Hi Janet,

Thanx for informing me of the vcd. A friend of mine just got several Yiquan vcds by Yao Cheng Guang. Quite interesting. He had a couple of lessons himself with Yao but found it too expensive to keep on training with him. I had stayed and trained at Cui Ruibin's school for 1 1/2 day ( student of Yao Zongxun) and though I think he is quite impressive looking also found the tuition fee too expensive ( I am still a university student). I met Wang Hongyu (student of Wang Xuanjie) and trained with him for 2 1/2 weeks. He definitely have real skills. I liked his teaching which was very different to what I've seen and experienced of Yao and Cui. He is also quite considerate of the training fee. I think he is a nice teacher to anyone interested in learning Yiquan/ Tacheng Quan.

Hi Tim,
What would you / any others say are the respective merits of Yiqan / Xing Yi in terms of health / practical self defence etc. I realise a lot is down to teacher - in your personal opinion which are you more inclined to practice more? Am I right it's easier to learn self defence in these forms rather than say tai chi.

Cheers

Xing Yi is better. Yiquan spends far too long standing still and practicing strange methods.

Martin,
I'd agree that you may have a better chance finding a Xingyiquan teacher that can show you the martial aspects of the art than a Taijiquan teacher (since almost all Taijiquan is taught for "health" nowadays).

I'm more inclined to practice movement exercises (although I think stance keeping is valuable training when done appropriately).

cheers Tim for taking time to answer - always appreciated.
Martin

Mark asked about English language materials on Yi Quan.

The main one is the classic 1976 book, expensive used now.

Additionally, there are the following:

(1) Warriors of Stillness-Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts)
by Jan Diepersloot. This is on Amazon.

(2) Secret Techniques of Yi Quan and Taikiken by Yao Chengguang and Kubo Isato. This can be ordered from Kitensha Publications, in Japan. This is kind of a langmark book, in that it reconciles the two branches of Yi Quan (Beijing and Sawai's Taikiken in Tokyo). The two author/teachers are featured throughout, in parallel illustrations. All text is in Japanese with fully matching English translation on each page. About half the book is showing paried exercises and applications, not only standing.

I have trained a few times with Master Amano in Yokohama, a student of Sawai Sensei. The teaching involves long periods of standing, followed by subtle sensing slow movement work (shi li, mo ca bu, etc.) followed by full contact sparring. He's a very down to earth and impressive teacher, speaks only Japanese however.