Hi Tim,

again I'd love to hear your opinion about a problem I have, due to different informations I've received over the time from different teachers. Maybe you can light it up - best if you'd have a kind of general rule.

Is there a such a general rule in Xingyi for the direction the navel (which defines the torso's facing) has to point when doing the five fists or other forms? Some teachers told me, always to point the navel the same direction as the front foot, wether it's full or empty. Others told me to use the back foot as the reference and the navel has to face the direction of the backfoot toes. I also think to remember the advice, always to use the weighted foot's toes as the reference for the navel's direction. I've noticed these different meanings already for Santi-standing-instructions. Assumed left foot is in front to East -beside other differences, i.e. channel between heels or left foot is pointing straight forward or a little bit inward- I've been told a version where the torso (i.e. the navel points to) SE (as the backfoot toes do) and also the version, where the navel faces fully East as the the fronttoes do. What is correct in YOUR oppinion and how do you teach it? Do you again have a small formula that helps to decide where the correct position for the torso is in forms?
Do you think that the differences are due to different styles or due to wrong knowledge of teachers?
My best
Hans-Peter

Hans-Peter,
I think there can be some latitude in the 'rules' of alignment. As long as there is a sound and practically applicable reason behind the particular way one person lines up their body, it should be as valid as any other method that works.

I usually don't use the navel as a reference point. I recommend the old Xing Yi Quan directive of "Three Points on a Line" (San Dian Xiang Zhao). The three points are the nose, lead hand and toes of the lead foot. For example, if you are standing in San Ti Shi, when viewed from the front, a vertical line drawn from the tip of the nose should pass directly through the front hand and toes of the front foot. The torso may be turned more to the front or more to the side (so there is no absolute rule for the position of the navel relative to the rest of the torso) as the posture/situation demands. Three Points on a Line helps to focus your whole body power into one point, and can be applied to just about every movement and posture in the Art.