Li Wen-Bin - Xiang Style Xingyiquan - The Foundations and Subtleties of Xingyiquan Training

eBook ISBN: 978-1-58394-774-6
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-58394-759-3

Copyright 2014 by Li Wen-Bin. All rights reserved. No portion of this book, except for brief review, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout written permission of the publisher. For information contact Blue Snake Books c/o North Atlantic Books.

Published by Blue Snake Books, an imprint of North Atlantic Books
P.O. Box 12327
Berkeley, California 94712

Cover and interior photos courtesy of Li Hong
Cover and Trade Paperback book design by Brad Greene

Shang Yun-Xiang Style Xingyiquan: The Foundations and Subtleties of Xingyiquan Training is sponsored and published by the Society for the Study of Native Arts and Sciences (dba North Atlantic Books), an educational nonprofit based in Berkeley, California, that collaborates with partners to develop cross-cultural perspectives, nurture holistic views of art, science, the humanities, and healing, and seed personal and global transformation by publishing work on the relationship of body, spirit, and nature.

North Atlantic Books publications are available through most bookstores. For further information, call 800-733-3000 or visit our websites at www.northatlanticbooks.com and www.bluesnakebooks.com.

PLEASE NOTE: The creators and publishers of this book disclaim any liabilities for loss in connection with following any of the practices, exercises, and advice contained herein. To reduce the chance of injury or any other harm, the reader should consult a professional before undertaking this or any other martial arts, movement, meditative arts, health, or exercise program. The instructions and advice printed in this book are not in any way intended as a substitute for medical, mental, or emotional counseling with a licensed physician or healthcare provider.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:

Wen-Bin, Li, 1918
Shang yun-xiang style xingyiquan: the foundations and subtleties of xingyiquan training / Li Wen-Bin with Shang Zhi-Rong and Li Hong, translated by Lu Mei-Hui.
pages cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-58394-759-3 (alk. paper)
1. Martial arts. I. Title.
GV1100.W46 2014
796.8dc23

v3.1

I t is a great privilege and honor to have been asked by Master Li Hong to be the translator of this highly regarded book, Shang Yun-Xiang Style Xingyiquan: The Foundations and Subtleties of Xingyiquan Training . This book is truly a treasure trove of information on Xingyiquan, equally rich and complete in theories, philosophy, practice instructions, and illustrations.

Master Li Wen-Bin was not only a great practitioner of Xingyiquan but also a critical thinker and researcher. His breadth of knowledge and analytical mind allowed him to delve into the history and development of Xingyiquan, solve many mysteries, and bring to light the essence of the art.

To faithfully convey the wealth of information in this book to the English audience, I was required to tap fully into my knowledge of Xingyiquan, the English language, traditional Chinese medicine, and classical Chinese language, literature, and philosophy. It has been a most labor-intensive experience and has been both rewarding and consumingrewarding because of the precious information I have gained from the book; consuming because of the scope and volume of the content.

It is my hope that English readers will now be able to benefit fully from Master Li Wen-Bins lifelong learning and understanding of Xingyiquan and be rewarded with the same gratification that I myself experienced while reading this book. I shall feel that I have made a contribution to the world of Xingyiquan and, indeed, Chinese martial arts in general.

Many quotations of common martial arts and Xingyiquan principles and sayings in this book are without the original source. Some are passed down from generation to generation; almost all practitioners of the art know without questioning their origin. This book can serve as a good instructional guide for beginning practitioners and valuable supplementary material for experienced practitioners.

I want to express my greatest gratitude to my dearest friend and wonderful student, Jean Wu, for spending countless sleepless nights in sharing my challenges throughout the entire translation process. Without her help, the completion of this work would not have been possible!

Lu Mei-hui

June 2014

X ingyiquan is one of the most famous boxing styles in Chinese martial arts, renowned both for self-defense and health cultivation. Master Shang, the originator of Shang-style Xingyiquan, was well known for his three spectacular techniques: Half-step Smashing Fist, Striking at Dantian, and Big Pole. His closed-door disciple Li Wen-Bin inherited his authentic heritage. Master Li was pronounced one of the top ten martial arts grandmasters in China. He used his unique methods and scientific theories to refine the content of Xingyiquan and developed the Shang style, which has become an important branch of Xingyiquan. Master Lis son, Li Hong, is ranked eighth duan and is famous throughout China.

Twenty years ago, Master Lialong with Master Shangs daughter, Shang Zhi-Rongpublished the first volume of Shang Yun-Xiang Style Xingyiquan . Master Li Hong subsequently published the second and third volumes of the book. These have been very popular and highly praised by martial arts practitioners.

This publication of the English edition of the book is a great event, here in China and overseas. I hereby congratulate the authors on their contribution to and achievements in Chinese martial arts, and I highly recommend this book to martial arts enthusiasts all over the world.

Cai Long Yun ()

Vice-chairman of Chinese Wushu Association

Professor at Shanghai Sports Academy

A s the name suggests, Shang-style Xingyiquan is the school of Xingyiquan that was passed down by renowned Xingyi master Shang Yun-Xiang. Shang Yun-Xiang had inherited the legacy of Li Cun Yi (known as Single Broadsword) and Guo Yun Shen (known as Half-step Beng Fist Conquers the World). Devoting his entire life to the study of Xingyiquan, Shang Yun-Xiang gained tremendous insight into the art and became a great master of it.

Li Wen-Bin, the last disciple of Shang Yun-Xiang, started his training under Master Shang at age fifteen and mastered his teachings. Li Wen-Bin was known for his uprightness and honorableness. He was brave enough to take on tough challenges, further promoting Shang-style Xingyiquan, and won the good name of Shang Yun-Xiang Junior in the Old Beijing martial arts ( wushu ) circle.

Li Hong began training in a variety of wushu styles around the age of four, under the strict guidance of his father, Li Wen-Bin. Li Hong carries forward the essence of Shang-style Xingyiquan with a high level of skill and morality. The two generations of the Li family always held their teacher in high respect and dedicated themselves fully to the promotion of Shang-style Xingyiquan.

Shang Yun-Xiang Style Xingyiquan contains the insights gained by the author through decades of hard practice and in-depth research on Xingyiquan. It contains the essence of traditional Chinese martial arts and is a tremendous contribution to the promotion of these arts.