Jiang JianPing & XING YI Quan

Master Jiang Jian Ping has had an amazing exposure to some of the top teachers in many arts. See biographical information on this teacher. Here we have someone who has spent his life learning from top instructors and is showing, through teaching and commentary, the fine points of his art. Nicely spiced with comparisons about the different methods, Mr. Zhang breakdown this famous and sometimes rare forms with expert advice. Though somewhat infirm himself he shows, with the capable aid of his student, many salient points in the practice of this boxing form.

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New! #24259 Xing Yi Protecting Body (An Shen Pao)
$15.95,

If you have spent some time watching and/or practicing duet-forms in Kung Fu, you will quickly notice something about An Shen Pao, though it might not be immediately clear. Most two person forms are invented—let's be honest— for the audience. As in Ballet, the postures are over-extensions for the benefit of the people in the seats. In Kung Fu the story is the same, huge movements. I had a teacher who for a while choreographed martial fight movies. He was teaching one of the stars a sequence of the fight scene that ended with a hard driving elbow to the bad guy. The actor stopped and shook his head. “I can’t do that.” When the master inquired further he found that the reason the actor “couldn’t do that” was the elbow stroke obscured his face from the camera. He was sure that his fans would hate that. So the elbow strike was replaced with a huge slapping action that came from left field.

Unlike the above, this famous Xing YI fighting set blocks and counters with the least-wasted motion. The moves are short, immediate and realistic. This version is quite clear with two students demonstrating the form over and over. This is not a set best learned solo then translated to double. Jump right in and see how it’s done. Not fancy, formidable.

Bonus: Zhang JianPing’s disciple gives us a survey of his teachings including the 36 Chen Tai Chi, Xing Yi, Praying Mantis, Straight Sword, and Bagua.

English Subtitle, 74 minutes

#24253 Twelve Hong Fist

One of the best examples of Xing Yi forms. The 12 Flooding Fists combine the Five Elements with the Twelve Shapes in a simple by dynamic series with emphasis on power explosion and then holding stillness. The hand techniques, though all based on solid Xing Yi, are quite various and subtle. Zhang’s assistant, Wei ShaoTong, gives a nice demonstration. Zhang himself shows many of the sections then breaks them down with his student explaining key points one minute and making corrections on the student with the next. Applications are talked through in a casual but instructive manner.
$15.95, English Subtitle, 83 minutes

#24254 Five Flower Pounding

Or, more fully, The Creation and Overcoming of Rive Movements Sparring and Five Flower Pounding. Here are the classic basic sparring routines of XingYi all expressing the techniques found in the Five Elements. Here we learn the actions of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth in what is known as the Creative and the Controlling cycles. The first shows which moves come out of which and the second concentrates on which moves conquer or suppress which moves.
$15.95, English Subtitle, 50 minutes

#24255 Five Elements Fist

As everyone knows the Five Elements are the basis of Xing Yi fighting. It all starts here. First there is a demonstration by Zhang’s very good student. Then Zhang breaks down all five of the elemental fists. His instruction shows a very high level of understanding with detail clearly explained and their meaning also explicated. What makes these DVDs so unique is that Zhang’s wide study allows him to casually show variations in the same elements. He gives a few of these then shows his own method, informed by many years of practice.
$15.95, English Subtitle, 60 minutes

#24256 Ba Shi Eight Forms Fist Double Disk
BaShi Quan. This is the developmental phase of training where Qigong and external strength are balanced and combined. Simple, efficient techniques are shown with strong and swift motions. One might say that this stage of the training is focused on unifying a strong body with a lively spirit. It is taken from four of the five elements fists mixed with some of the Twelve Shapes. The requirements are essentially the same as the Five Elements. Theory talks about the Four Endings, Hair, Tongue, Teeth and Fingernails. The most popular version of this form is by Jiang EnQiao and there is another by Qian ShuQiao. This Double DVD series shows BOTH of them.
$27.95, Double Disk

#24257 Five Elements Linked Fist

Xing Yi Five Elements Forward and Backward Interlink Fist. One of the best examples of Xing Yi forms. The 12 Flooding Fists combine the Five Elements with the Twelve Shapes in a simple by dynamic series with emphasis on power explosion and then holding stillness. The hand techniques, though all based on solid Xing Yi, are quite various and subtle. Zhang’s assistant, Wei ShaoTong, gives a nice demonstration. Zhang himself shows many of the sections then breaks them down with his student explaining key points one minute and making corrections on the student with the next. Applications are talked through in a casual but instructive manner.
$15.95, English Subtitle, 50 minutes

#24258 Twelve Linked Fist

The full Twelve Linked Fist is rarely performed complete. It emphasizes subtle footwork and diverse punches such as Three Punches in One Step, Snake Form etc. According to Mr. Zhang this version is quite rare and hard to find in any Xing Yi area. It combines Snake movements, crocodile waist and monkey agility. It is a particularly strong set with some sections where the hands move at lightning speed.
$15.95, English Subtitle, 74 minutes