Hsing-I: Chinese Mind-Body Boxing

I've read through this book quite a few times since I got it almost ten years ago. It's a very concise read; the book totals out at just a little over 100 pages. What it provides though is very valuable.Admittedly, I am not a trained practitioner of Chinese Martial Arts, but I am definitely an enthusiast. I was exposed to Hsing I back in college, and devoured as many internet videos describing the practice as I could find. There are not as many books devoted to Hsing I as you might find on more well-known martial arts, so I was really excited when I found this. It describes the major five forms or "fists", and the twelve animal styles. There are many pictures to attempt to describe the motions, but if you are completely unfamiliar with the forms, videos will still help you picture them.The book starts with a history of Hsing I, and attempts to describe the internal arts and the idea of internal, full-body power. After that, there are the descriptions of the forms as discussed above, and after each of those are descriptions of practical uses of each form (against an opponent). The book is wrapped up by quoting advice from several Hsing I masters, to gain their perspectives in your practice.All in all, this book is not a voluminous read, but contains a wealth of good information on Hsing I and internal Chinese martial arts. Definitely recommended.

Firstly, I am not experienced in Xingyi but I do have a background in Northern Shaolin Long Fist and Seven Star Praying Mantis. The descriptions and proverbs in this book are much easier to follow than in other written works, likely because it was written by a native English-speaker. There are numerous photos that show important steps throughout the five element fists. I would prefer more detail on the twelve animal styles and the linking form, but this may be due to my unfamiliarity with Xingyi specifically. Overall, I rate this as an excellent addition to any martial artist's library.

A nice reference when exploring Hsing I.

*Hsing-I: Chinese Mind-Body Boxing* is just that ~ based on Five Fists of Boxing to just about match the sheer streamlined directness of the six [numbered] fist-blows of Western Boxing ~ especially when moderate variations of the few fist-blows are compared via approximate count across both Arts. But, Hsing-I also includes kicks and palms ~ making it oddly parallel to [older] Savate [an Art of Kickboxing-plus from France]. But, Hsing-I ALSO includes Twelve Animals, and is based on Internal Energy, and is very organically co-ordinated via moves in sub-Arts that group into larger sub-Arts to compose the whole Art of Hsing-I. All the above is evident via this excellent book by Robert W. Smith ~ that is as direct, concise and precise as the Art it presents. Some have commented on the older photos used within this book ~ but, I find them just fine to aid in understanding Hsing-I Chuan ~ matching the other input via CLASSIC *Old-School Hsing-I Boxers*. I also admire the practical modesty of this author ~ who is indeed succeeding in presenting a great look-see at Hsing-I Chuan ~ that remains one of the best works on this *Art of Boxing* ~ that is one of the best such Arts in my view. Get it while copies still exist for under a hundred dollars ~ as it is still uniquely valuable ~ even with more works available nowadays on Hsing-I Chuan / Xing Yi Quan ~~~

I have been doing Hsing I for over 20 years so I wasn’t interested in the picture instructions but more on the essence and philosophy of the art. I found tid bits of information very interesting and thought provoking. The photography is good but I am not sure if any one can learn a martial art from a book.Overall I recommend this book for people serious about Hsing i , I suggest that older people do Hsing I every day to remain healthy and vital

The content is a bit messy. Too much focus on history rather on the real training. Lots of misprints.

This book specifically addresses the main elements that make up Xingyi chuan.

I had not bought a book by Robert W. Smith. I must say that if you are interested in how things were applied in the Hsing-I system at an earlier time, I recommend this book as well as other books he wrote. I have been training in classical combat Ju-Jutsu and have been learning and researching Krav Maga. I can tell you how the simple demonstration in the self defense moves applied in this old style has much that can be associated with the more modern systems. There are elbow, palm, knee and low kicks which is what is being taught as effective defensive moves today. Look into it as a form of history and simplicity. As someone once said, simplicity is genius.

Bought this for my Nephew (2nd Dan black belt ?) for Christmas and he was really pleased with it, he and his dad (4th Dan Black belt) spent ages flicking through it.From a none karate point of view it's a book of black and white pictures of little old dude on the front cover doing moves, with text to explain...

Ein absoluter Klassiker, den ich immer wieder zur Hand nehme und wenn ich nur noch einmal nachschauen möchte, wie die Ausführungen alternativ zu meinen gemacht werden können, oder aber um mich in den sehr informativ geschriebenen Texte zu verlesen. Das Werk kommt mit einer Fülle von historischem Hintergrund und schönen Texten daher.Dazu werden die klassischen fünf Fäuste beschrieben und dazu mehrfache Anwendungen demonstriert - zugegeben: Nicht gänzlich der Realität auf der Straße entsprechend ABER wenn ich mir das Datum der ersten Auflage anschaue (1913), dann gibt es hier nichts zu meckern. Es folgen die 12 Tiere - ebenfalls ausführlichst dargestellt - und auch hier zahlreiche Anwendungen (mit den besagten Abstrichen).Fazit:Klare Kaufempfehlung!

Un livre de très grande qualité, très instructif, que je recommande à toutes celles et ceux intéressés par le sujet. Arrivé en parfait état.