The JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts & Culture offers instruction in Wushu, Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Xing Yi, Bagua, and Chinese Language Classes. Please read below about our school offerings.

Wushu

Wushu or "the art of fighting" - is the general term for all self-defense sports, some of which may be carried out with the fists or the legs, or with the help of swords or lances. It is a great martial art with roots dating back thousands of years in China, and has been recognized as an ancient Asian art for the self-discipline of mind and body. Westerners are more familiar with the term Kung Fu, which translates loosely into "skill," and was popularized by Bruce Lee movies and the TV show "Kung Fu."

Wushu has two main categories: routine exercises and free combat fighting as its forms. The practice of Wushu provides an excellent release of stress through self-discipline in meditation and breathing. The practice also demands skill, concentration, and consistent and dedicated effort. For those who persevere, the rewards are great: strength in mind and body, and the development of physical, mental, and spiritual resources.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi Translated, Tai Chi means "the supreme ultimate." In Chinese philosophy, Tai Chi is the mother of Yin and Yang. It is the theory of opposites, the positive and the negative. Tai Chi is one of the five Chinese accomplishments thought to make a superior person, in addition to painting, poetry, calligraphy and music.

The underlying theory of Tai Chi is that the mind, body and spirit must be unified for wholeness and complete health. The emphasis in Tai Chi is on being able to channel potentially destructive energy (in the form of a kick or a punch) away from one in a manner that will dissipate the energy or send it in a direction where it is no longer a danger. The art is practiced alone in forms, and with partners.

Tai Chi's original concepts are still intact today, teaching continuous movement, relaxation, solid stances, a straight body and the movement of chi from inside the body to outside. Many movements are from the natural movements of animals and birds, although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.

Wing Chun

Wing Chun Translated literally, Wing Chun means "beautiful springtime," or "radiant springtime." Wing Chun is also called "Wing Shun" or "Wing Tsun." According to Wing Chun, there are five ways of defeating the enemy: striking, kicking, joint locking, throwing and through weapons use.

Wing Chun is different from many of today's popular styles, such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, and Kung Fu. These styles block first and then attack. Wing Chun emphasizes self-defense, focusing on methods that allow a block and an attack in the same movement. The style is based on human biomechanics rather than animal movements, using primarily straight line, fast, direct strikes and sophisticated simultaneous blocking and striking techniques, redirecting the force of an opponent rather than attempting to meet a possibly greater force directly.

The way the art produces efficient fighters in a relatively short amount of time is by sticking to several core principles and by taking a very generic approach to techniques. Much training time is spent cultivating "Contact Reflexes." The student practices guarding various zones about the body and deals generically with whatever happens to be contacted or touched in that zone. This allows for a minimum of technique for a maximum of application, and for the use of an automatic or subconscious response.

Benefits of Wing Chun are stress control, discipline and improved concentration, confidence and overall well-being.

Xing Yi

As with most styles of Chinese martial arts the origins of xingyi quan (aka hsing-i chuan, xing-i, or hsing yi) are shrouded in mystery. This ancient martial art has been said to elongate the life expectancy and purify the morality of its practitioners, as well as greatly improving their self-defense capabilities. Xing Yi utilizes a full range of body motion incorporating strikes from the "Seven Stars"; Hands, Feet, Elbows, Knees, Shoulders, Hips and Head. Also employed are close range Grappling, Throwing, Trapping and Locking techniques, creating a highly adapt able, powerful, and overwhelming style of self defence. Hsing I's nature is succinct and economical. Due to its predominantly linear pattern of movement, Xingyi appears simple and direct, but it is not easy to master. Often referred to as a 'soft' style or internal martial art, it does not appear as such at first glance. Practitioners must seek to coordinate the motion of their entire body, along with their mind, into one focused action. There is nothing flashy about the style and there are few kicks. Most important is the ability to generate power with the whole body and to focus it into an explosive discharge.

The energy of Xing Yi has been described as that of a piece of Rattan. It will not flex very far before snapping back at you. Energetically, the art has a Yang exterior and a Yin interior. The practitioner seeks to create his own openings in attack and defense. It is extremely efficient in its expression of power. For more about Xingyi quan, please read the article written by Li Deyin from China Renmin University

Bagua

Bagua (also known as Pa Kua) comprises one of the major 3 internal styles of China alongside Xingyi (Hsing-i) and Taiji (Tai Chi). As with these other 2 internal styles, the practice of Bagua generates Qi (internal energy) for both health and combat purposes. Baguazhang features almost exclusive use of palm techniques, thus making Bagua uniquely distinct from the Xingyi and Taiji styles, both of which focus largely on fist techniques.

Bagua has rapidly became a popular style for both its effectiveness and even more so due to its health benefits.

The most distinctive trait of Baguazhang is that movement imitates the Taoist Bagua symbol of the I-Ching (Book of). Techniques are demonstrated and executed while walking low in a static circle. Bagua movements are intended to be smooth and co-ordinated, with the body employed as a whole. Reliance is not placed on the use muscle power generated from a single portion of the body, rather the source of power in Baguazhang is the Dantian, (considered the body's Qi centre located in the lower part of the abdomen two inches below the navel).

Bagua practitioners also practice with many weapons, ranging from small concealed weapons to oversized broadswords. Training with these weapons help teach the practitioner about the proper linkage and internal balance, as well as how to use the weapons effectively and, perhaps more importantly, how to defend against them.

Chinese Language Lessons

Chinese Language Lessons at the JING Institute of Chinese Martial Arts & Culture is appropriate for beginning students at the high school or college level, or for anyone seeking to communicate effectively in Chinese wherever it is spoken. This class is successful because it "integrates" all four language skills--listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The JING Chinese Language Lessons helps you understand how the Chinese language works grammatically, and how to use Chinese in real life—how to understand it on the street, speak it on the telephone, read it in the newspaper, or write it in a report. The materials within the class set of textbooks, workbooks, character workbooks, and audio CDs are divided into sections of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Two types of exercises are used: traditional exercises (fill-in-the-blank, sentence completion, translation) to help learners build a solid grammatical foundation, and communication-oriented exercises (speaking drills, discussion topics, etc.) to prepare them to function in a Chinese language environment. Frequently, authentic materials written for native Chinese speakers and realia (newspaper clippings, signs, tickets, etc.) are used. Notes on language use and Chinese culture are found throughout the textbooks.

Most people think that internal martial art (neijiaquan) stresses on slow movement or “static.” They also think that neijiaquan always utilizes softness to subjugate the hardness or act only when being attacked. In fact, it is not true. On the contrary, the tactics of Xingyiquan, as one of the major three neijiaquan, gives a direct and swift offence, and gains the initiative by striking first.

Xingyiquan and its history

Xingyiquan, Taijiquan and Baguazhang represent the three major internal martial arts. They are characterized as internal because the tactics of neijiaquan require deep concentration of inner mind and will-power in coordination with the outer movements using the full range of body and limbs. The external form and the internal will-power unite to its ultimate manifestation. Therefore, it is call “Xingyiquan” or “Form and Will-power Boxing.” It is also called “Xinyiquan”, or “Xinyi liuhequan.”

The legend tells that Xingyiquan originated from Yuefei ( 1103 - 1141 ), a patriotic general in the Song dynasty, or from Damo, an Indian monk at the time of Northern Wei (386 – 535). However, there is no solid evidence to support the legend. Modern wushu researchers, based on documentary, accredited a Shanxi resident as the originator in the late Ming dynasty. He is Ji Jike. Ji (also known as Ji Longfeng) was good at wushu, known for his skill in spear.

For the benefit of maintaining good health and the convenience of bare-handed fighting, he transformed his skill of spear into boxing. He emphasized that this art form was based on the integration of heart and will , will and qi, qi and strength; the integration of shoulders and hips, hips and elbows, hands and legs. The art required both internal mind-power and external moving form, hence it is called Xingyiquan. In the Book of Wushu, these are named as “Internal Three Integration” (nei sanhe) and “External Three Integration” (wai sanhe). As a whole, it is called “The Six Integration” (Liuhe.)

Xingyiquan first spreaded in the area of Yellow River in North China. It became very popular in Shanxi, Henan and Hebei provinces. Their representatives were Dai Longbang, Ma Xueli, Li Luoneng respectively. In the heart of wushu, Songshan Shaolin Temple, masters called Xinyiquan as “Xinyiba” and kept it as one of the secret forms. We believe that the concave floor in the training room inside the Shaolin Temple was created by the stomping feet of the wu zeng (martial arts monks) for years of practicing Xinyiba.

Ancient books Illustrated and described Xingyiquan very simply. The first six basic moves stress on strength and the last six moves stress on softness. The theory of Xingyiquan devotes mainly to the Six Integration (liu he), Five-Form Boxing (Wuxing quan) of pi, zuan, beng, pao, heng ( chop, drill, punch, cannon, sweep), and the agile transformation of strength to softness and vice versa. The core of Xingyiquan is mainly based on the imitation of dragon body, tiger head, bear arms, rooster legs, eagle claws, and thunder sound.

Variation of Xingyiquan

For the last few hundred years, martial artists have made great development and improvement in Xingyiquan. Now Xingyiquan is very popular in China. There is a subtle variation of Xingyiquan in the three major provinces. Shanxi’s Xingyi style is well knit and exquisite; Henan’s Xingyi style bold and fierce; Hebei’s Xingyi style firm and graceful. Contemporary renowned great Xingyi masters are Che Yizai, Song Shirong, Bao Xianting, Guo Yunshen, Liu qilan, Li Cunyi, Zhang Zhaodong, Sun Lutang, Shang Yunxiang, and Hao Enguang. Thanks to these masters who have contributed this wonderful and powerful art of Xingyiquan to the martial arts field.

Some of the most popular forms in Xingyiquan are Santishi (Three-Posture Form), Shi’er Xing Quan (Twelve-Animals Style Boxing) and Wuxingquan. Wuxingquan includes pi (chop palm), zuan (drill fist), beng (punch fist), pao (cannon fist), heng (sweeping fist); the Twelve-Animals Style Boxing is based on the movements of twelve different animals, imitating their special skill in fighting. They are dragon, tiger, monkey, horse, crocodile, rooster, sparrow hawk, swallow, snake, crane, eagle, and bear. Martial artists merge the animal skill into their fighting techniques. Examples, the animal skills are the dragon flies, the monkey jumps and climbs; the tiger is bold, the snake is soft, the eagle is strong, the swallow is swift. In some places, martial artists have only ten animals (dragon, tiger, rooster, eagle, snake, horse, cat, monkey, sparrow hawk, and swallow). It is not unusual to see some variation of animal forms in different styles and different areas. However, it is very important for martial artists not to act like animals but to apply the expertise of animals in a real fight. Xingyiquan can be practiced individually or in group. Xingyiquan can also be practiced with weapon: staff, spear, sword, broad sword, etc.

Xingyiquan’s special features

Here are some important features of Xingyiquan.

1. Precise and Practical: Take simple actions, go straight forward, focus on the target and strike hard, be real and avoid ornateness, attack with a direct and swift blow.

2. Strong and tight: quick movements, high power, small frame, speedy march. Concentrate on the target, hit at close range, extend limbs to strike at long range. Avoid any opening space.

3. Steady and firm: Relax the upper torso and strengthen the lower torso. Breath deeply and keep the chest upright. Don’t be sloppy or too soft; don’t be too stiff either. Step forward as a moving plow, root the legs as an old tree.

4. Internal and External Coordination: When the body moves, the limbs move together accordingly. We have to meet the Xingyiquan requirement: When moving, there is nothing that does not move. The regulation states, “ One branch moves, hundreds of branches all follow” (yi[1] zhi[1] dong[4], bai[3] zhi[1], sui[2]) Coordination and timing are crucial in every movement. At the same time, exert the qi (vital energy) to its maximum power. Hence the internal and external power will be fully utilized.

Xingyiquan for health

Xingyiquan is one of the best health exercises in martial arts. In practice, the arms constantly twist, grasp, rotate, such that they are in constant motion at different angles; the lower torso acts in speed of lighting and stays solid as rock, therefore muscles in the waist, back, and belly move in continuous stretching and vibration to exercise its mighty power for health benefit.

Training to combine the power and speed, we also train ourselves to achieve the agility and flexibility of sprightly animals’ movements. Animals are very patient for their prey, therefore, in practice Xingyiquan, practitioner will relax and be also patient. Hence the whole body’s muscles will relax and stretch respectively. Experts in Xingyiquan described this art as “root the base, strengthen the body” (zhu[2] qi[2] ji[1], zhuang[4] qi[2], ti[3].) In addition, Xingyiquan requires practitioner to concentrate the heart and mind internally, to guide the qi to flow smoothly, and to keep the spirit high. With correct postures, high spirit and the power of qi all in one, Xingyiquan will significantly improve the internal organs and breathing system.

The power of Xingyiquan

• Xingyiquan has a dual role that is defensive and offensive.
• Xingyiquan cultivates human boldness, and proves effective in the application of both defense and offence.
• In fighting, Xingyiquan practitioner is always ready to go forward with high spirit. Concentrates but fears not.

“Think ahead, hesitate not” (neng zai yi si jin, mo zai yi si cun), “confronting a strong opponent, think of no mistakes, worrying about mistakes, one will find it difficult to move even an inch step” (jiao yong zhe, bu ke si wu; si wu zhe, cun bu nan xing), “In practice, fight as if confronting a real enemy; in a real combat, strike as if no one being around” (cao lian shi, wu ren ru you ren, jiao shou shi, you ren ru wu ren). These are the fundamental rules in Xingyiquan. Next, Xingyiquan requires hidden and unpredicted movements. Be egocentric and make decision. Attack the opponent without his knowledge and preparation. “ It is unpredictable, else you are defeatable” (you yi mo dai xing, dai xing bi bu ying). Once it is in motion, the tactics is quick and direct , sharp and alert as if “swallowing” the enemy. Xingyiquan also advocates that, “To advance is to dodge, to dodge is to advance” (jin ji shan, shan ji jin), “rise as sweeping wind, strike as raining arrows” (qi ru feng, luo ru jian). Leave your opponent not a single chance to ward off and win the battle.

Xingyiquan emphasizes the use of all “Seven-fist” (qi quan) and acts immediately at the best opportunity. The “Seven-quan” are head, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees and legs. Extend the hands and legs at long range, use elbows and knees at close range. Kick at long range, stomp at close range. Strike wherever possible. Stay alert and utilize the whole body for an all-out attack, giving the enemy no chance to prepare himself. Another tactic of Xingyiquan is, never stick to the same technique or rule in fighting. Know your enemy and the situation, follow the opportunity and act as one thinks fit. Try to reach to the level as “fist or no fist, intention or no intention, where the intention not is the real intention”, (quan wu quan, yi wu yi, wuyi zhi zhong shi zhen yi.) That is the highest level of martial arts (gongfu).

There is no question that Xingyiquan is a practical combat art. Great masters always consider that a person attaining the six tactics ---gong/qiao miao (skill), shun/heli (rationalily), yong (bold), ji/kuai su (speed), hen/guoduan (venomousness), zhen (real, no way to escape)---is an excellent xingyi master.

A wushu family

I was born in a family of wushu. My grandfather Li Yulin formally acknowledged Hao Enguang, Sun Lutang as his masters to study Xingyiquan and taijiquan. My grandfather spent his whole life as a coach. He was the president of shandong province martial arts studio. My father Li Tianchi was a doctor. He treated his patients with qigong, wushu and massage. My uncle Li Tianji was the first national wushu team coach in the beginning of New China. The most popular 24-form simplified taijiquan was created by my uncle in 1956.

Since I was young, I was greatly influenced and trained in wushu. I remembered that my grandfather insisted that my younger brother and I practiced martial arts after school. Everyday, we had to repeat practicing the Wuxingquan. It was very boring. Our muscles were sore, our body felt tired. But we dared not to disobey and be lazy. Until the day we were grown up, we then realized that “patriarch” in our ancient culture have built us a very strong foundation for wushu. We have benefited from it in our lifetime. As a third generation master in the same family, and being one of China’s “100 best wushu masters” (Wulin bai jie) I deeply appreciate what my grandfather, my father and my uncle have taught me. In particular, it was my grandfather who first inspired me to practice wushu.

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