I read with interest Joseph Crandalls translation of Shang Ji article about the pan gen (twisting root) exercises. I also read the description of it in the Xing Yi Nei Gong book, where it is mentioned in connection with the xing yi written transmissions. I had a few questions about pan gen, as I have never actually seen it performed.

One: is it for all intents and purposes, xing yi's version of pa kua?

Two: is the walking done in a circle or more along the lines of a step, then a turn (45 degree) a second step, a second 45 degree turn, third step, third turn¡Xwhich would make the circle actually consist of a three step triangle where you end up at the same spot you started with.

Three: Shang Ji did not mention in his description any follow step when one is doing pen gen. Is there one? The follow step is so much a part of xing yi that I would be surprised if it was not part of pan gen.

Four: any and all information on the exercise is welcome and appreciated.

As one might guess I am about to try and teach myself the exercise based on the article. Wish me luck, I know learning from book is considered by many a taboo, but I like to live on the edge.

Take care and thanks,
Brian

Brian,

Two days ago, you wrote that your Xing Yi "stunk" and you were going to start "rebuilding from the ground up," or something like that. I do not actually practice Xing Yi, but the same jing are used in the Gao style. Anyway, I doubt that the Pan Gen exercise is considered a basic practice. What gives?

I thought that you were going to try the Tru Balance program for a while.

I am doing both. I don't view it as an "either/or proposition.

I got busy yesterday and didn't have a chance to say "thanks" for your reply. It was quite informative and much appreciated.

take care,
Brian

Hi Brian,
One of my teachers taught a version of the 'Pan Gen' stepping. It was basically as you described. It is a three step pattern (toe out, toe in, toe out)that causes you to turn a full 360 degrees. The version I learned had no follow step, just the three steps. My teacher explained it was a drill designed to teach the mechanics of moving behind an opponent quickly (much like the Ba Gua Zhang).

Hello Tim, or anyone would be kind enough to describe pan gen a bit better? Like which foot goes where, which way to turn, what static hand position is held? After reading about it in the xing yi nei gong book,page 43, I have been searching for these answers with no luck. Thank-you for your help! cjs

There was a site on the net which described stance holding and pan gen. I have been trying to find it again.

Thank-you Mark
I hope to hear from you again.Anyone else, maybe even Tim, more info about pan gen,twisting root-di long jing,earth dragon?
Thank-you,Great site! cjs

I explained the basics of the Pan Gen stepping above.

The Di Long Jing are the rudimentary ground fighting techniques of Xingyiquan. I only had one teacher that still knew any of the techniques. The Di Long Jing movements are primarily ways to defend yourself if you are thown, and how to take an attacker to the ground if you are on the ground and he is standing.

Although the Di Long Jing techniques wouldn't help much if you were on the ground with a trained grappler, they are sufficient to save you from a stomping if you find yourself on the ground and your opponent remains standing.

Carl

http://users2.ev1.net/~stma/pangen.html

Mark McYoung puts out a book called Ground Fighting about how to keep from getting stomped while you are down there. I would be interested in Tim putting some of this stuff into print.

Tim and Mark,
Thank-you both for your response!

Mark, that is an excellent article, I sure do appreciate that you posted it. Thanks again!

Hope everyone had a good week-end
cjs