China Arts Association

The movements of Zhang Style Xing Yi are compact and coordinated, complete and stable, fast and slow, with an obvious rhythm and form and spirit united as one. Zhang style Xing Yi is a combination of hard ferocious movements and soft, “silk spinning” movements, so that its characteristics are distinct from other styles of Xing Yi.

1. The Stance - the posture is correct, movements are complete

"As soon as the mind and qi are released, the body must follow"

Zhang Style Xingyi is based on the principles of traditional Lie He Quan (6 Harmonies Fist) and Xingyi Quan. Master Zhang searched through all available materials on Lie He Quan and Xingyi Quan and took what he considered to be the most effective techniques for fighting and developing kungfu.

Power is a term found in all types of Wushu, each having their own independent styles and characteristics of power. Xingyi, known as one of the three major Internal styles, has its own distinct style of power. The execution of Xingyi movements has to be done according to the style’s regulations: the head held erect and pushing upwards, relaxed shoulders, elbows pointed downwards, fists held up, wrists sunk down, the chest empty and the back raised up, the buttocks pulled back and the anus raised etc.

The 5 Elements fists are the fundamental or 'mother' fists of Xing Yi, and are based on the properties of the 5 elements in acient Chinese philosophy- Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. They are also rich in the characteristics of yin and yang- opposing, mutual, declining and growing, turning and transforming.

Each element has its own individual style of fist play.
Metal Splitting Fist (Pi Quan)
Wood Arrow Fist (Beng Quan)
Water Drilling Fist (Zuan Quan)
Fire Canon Fist (Pao Quan)
Earth Horizontal Fist (Heng Quan)