10 Animals Xing Yi
Introduction
In April 2006, Wushu Scholar travelled to Shanghai to explore the martial arts of this sprawling city. We met a large number of Xing Yi practitioners, including Master Chen Ke Qiang, who practices Ten Animals Xing Yi.
Filming Master Chen performing each of the Ten Animal movements alongside specific applications proved a useful exercise (RELATED VIDEO: 10 Animals Xing Yi Pattern), as many of the animal movements do not immediately present martial applications. This article provides a detailed explanation of each animal movement with specific applications.
We were also privileged to film Master Chen and some fellow practitioners playing push-hands (RELATED VIDEO: 10 Animals Xing Yi Push Hands). Push-hands is a common exercise in many styles, and Master Chen studied push-hands from a student of the famous Ma Yue Lian. He finds it complements his study of Xing Yi and allows him to develop sensitivity and awareness of his opponent's body.
10 Animals
According to legends concerning the origins of Xing Yi, the creator of Xing Yi during the 17th century, Ji Ji Ke, was inspired whilst watching a fight between two cockerels at the Henan Shaolin Temple. Their direct, fast and linear attacks laid the foundations of Xing Yi in his mind. As the art developed, and no doubt due to the influence of other Shaolin styles, many other principles of animal movement were incorporated into Xing Yi.
The development of Xing Yi is in this respect very similar to other Chinese martial arts styles, as it makes extensive use of animal imagery to express particular fighting principles. Depending on the lineage and also the region of China, Xing Yi can feature either ten animals or twelve. In Shanghai the predominant style is Ten Animals, whereas in Shaanxi for example, they favour the Twelve Animals styles (see our May 2006 Silver issue for more on Dai's Xin Yi).
1. Dragon
The dragons of legend were reptilian and had snake-like scaled bodies. They could twist and spiral their waist and wrap their wings to create massive power. This movement shows use of the waist and 'wings' to rotate about the body's centre line. In the application, Master Chen demonstrates against a punch - he twists his arms one way to defend and block, and quickly unwinds his coiled arms in the opposite direction to return the attack.
2. Snake
In the snake movement and application, the principle is similar to the dragon - the snake is not a large animal in many cases, but does have the advantage of a flexible body. Here, Master Chen uses his palm to divert the attack and enters quickly to strike with his elbow.
3. Bear
The bear, by comparison to the snake, is a large animal easily capable of using its bulk to fight. The bear movement shows both hands rolling downwards before rising together in front of the body. In the application, Master Chen uses this rolling movement to neutralise the attack before delivering a single-handed strike to the face.
4. Chicken
The chicken movement, Master Chen explained, is not a directly martial movement, but is used to train the legs to build strength and mobility. Whilst he does not show an explicit martial application, the tight linear stepping is intrinsic to all of the other animal movements.
5. Monkey
Monkey style patterns often involve acrobatics or extensive ground work - not so in this style. The key principle here is the use of fast hands and a distinctive hand position to strike and block. The movement is quick and snappy, fitting for a light and agile monkey.
6. Yao (Sparrow-hawk)
In this movement, Master Chen keeps his hands tight to the body, both moving downwards and then rising together to head height. In the application, he shows how this can be applied against a grab to release the hold and subsequently attack to the throat, face and body.
7. Horse
In full gallop, a horse has a unique body motion, with it's head bobbing up and down to augment the steam-train of the back legs. In this movement, that aspect is replicated, along with a shuffle of the legs. The hands, held together as a fist, represent the power of the head moving upwards. The application shows how this movement can be applied against a grab of the wrists.
8. Swallow
The swallow is known for sharp diving patterns, quickly changing its flight path to dive in for its insect prey. Here, that idea is applied to the human body, and Master Chen shows how the swallow movement is used to take out the legs following a high attack
9. Eagle
The eagle movement is performed standing still and doesn't feature any footwork like the other animal movements. The key feature is the use of the eagle's claw to gouge - in the application, the claws home in on the vulnerable eyes and then follow up by raking down the exposed midsection. To use the eagle claw effectively, a practitioner must have exceptionally strong finger tips, capable of ripping skin and flesh.
10. Tiger
The final animal movement, the tiger, expresses not only the physical dynamics of a tiger, but also its towering spirit. Master Chen moves not only forward, but to the sides and behind him - the application shows how this is used to defend against two opponents. After blocking an attack from behind, he literally leaps into the opponent in front of him, forgoing any niceties such as blocking, and attacks the face and body immediately.
