CompleteMartialArts.com - Hsing-I: Chinese Mind-Body Boxing
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Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books
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Binding: Paperback Dewey Decimal Number: 796.8155 EAN: 9781556434556 ISBN: 1556434553 Label: North Atlantic Books Manufacturer: North Atlantic Books Number Of Items: 1 Number Of Pages: 175 Publication Date: 2003-04 Publisher: North Atlantic Books Release Date: 2003-05-01 Studio: North Atlantic Books
For one not familiar with the direct simplicity of Hsing-i as a martial art, it is paradoxically simple and complex. The five fists, a set of forms linked with the chinese concepts of the five elements, provide a base template of techniques that the hsing-i practitioner turns into an effective combat meditation. Through mindful repetitiveness, one "becomes," attaining a state of unforced being through which martial arts techniques flow. Also included in this book are quotations from the ancient Chinese masters that detail the mental disposition of the boxer, along with ample photographs and illustrations. This primer about Hsing-I has been widely sought by collectors since the book's first publication almost 30 years ago.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: This is a Keeper Comment: This book was one of the earlier books on martial arts that I purchased. Not knowing a thing about martial arts at the time, I couldn't get my mind around much of what was presented. On the other hand, I loved the stories within and the "advice of the masters" segment right away. I remember staring intently at the pictures of Yuan Dao, Paul Guo and especially the little section featuring the five elements done by Wang Shu Jin. Taken in an unposed mid-action way, they really convey Wang's dynamic actions. Having since studied both Xingyiquan and Baguazhang for more than a decade, I have come to realize what a goldmine was presented here. This book still lays, beaten and tattered, littered with highlighting and notes, on my bookshelf. This is because the book presented Xingyi postures by highly skilled practitioners along with excellent guides to its meaning and practice. Newer books may show more material, or translate large tracts of key points, but this book still has the goods: first rate practitioners showing their art. Recently when giving a gift to a person I wanted to get interested in Xingyi, I still chose this book. Customer Rating: Summary: Two out of five ain't bad. Comment: There are five pieces to Xing Yi: Wu Xing, Lian Huan, the first two-man forms, the 12 animal forms, and the later two-man forms. This book includes the first two: the five fists and their linking form. And it spells them out without any mystical nonsense or other garbage. Mr. Smith was more or less a collector of Chinese Boxing and threw some not-so-xing-yi things in here too. But that's okay because he also includes excerpts from Sun Lutang's True Boxing Stories (loose translation of title.) This book is certainly worth your time and its price. Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent book on Hsing-I Martial Art Comment: This is one of the best books available on the subject of Martial Arts.
The book is on a specific subject - Internal Martial Arts (of China) known as Hsing-I. The illustrations with pictures are lucid. The book covers basic principles, basic techniques, philosophies, all the 12 style forms, brief history and biographies of masters, masters' advices, applications to self defence and a lot more. It very clearly explains why Hsing-I is known as Mind-Body Boxing. The author has put his heart into writing about Hsing-I. The scientific approach of a western mind combined with the author's expertise in the oriental subject make the book complete, thorough and interesting. The book is complete in itself on the subject. It also explains importance of Chi (Energy or Pran) cultivation that is the basis of all the internal martial arts including Hsing-I.
The book provides a complete and thorough knowledge on Hsing-I.
It is a complete reference on the subject.
Very rarely have I seen a martial arts book so interesting, lucid and complete. Customer Rating: Summary: A Classic Work Comment: What it lacks in detailed illustrations, it makes up for in character and detailed instruction. I agree that this one is far and away better than the version which Mr. Smith and Mr. Pittman co-authored.
It's an excellent book for anyone who's really curious about this wonderful art as well as for Xingyi neophytes. Customer Rating: Summary: 5 fists & advice from the masters Comment: For one not familiar with the direct simplicity of hsing-i (pinyin: xingyiquan) as a martial art, it is paradoxically simple yet complex. The five fists, a set of forms linked with the chinese concepts of the five elements, provide a base template of techniques that the hsing-i practitioner turns into an effective combat meditation. Through mindful repetitiveness, one *becomes*, attaining a state of unforced being through which martial techniques flow.
I like this book. Early in my martial career, personages, lineages and other such nonsense were antithetical. I thought: "why should those things be in a book about kicking butt?" I'm older now and greatly value what my teachers and my teachers teachers pass on to me. This book is steeped in that same sense of reverence. The author provides a thoughtful balance of basic techniques with quotes from famous hsing-i masters and a look at his own hsing-i lineage, which are very interesting and well done.
This is mainly a reference material, as Books and DVDs do not make good primary instructional material for martial arts, so plan on attending a seminar or finding a good local school to get the most from this book.
