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Tai Ji relates to the earth. It relates to the spleen in the human body, and to "crossing fist" in Hsing Yi. Xin means form, and Yi loosely translated, means mind. Being inside, the mind acts on everything around it, and objects being on the outside, have their principle in the mind. At the beginning, the body status transitions from rest, to moving. Any leaning; forward or backward, to the left or right, is wrong. Each part is in harmony with the other parts. The left foot is in front of the right foot. The left heel closes to the right of the shin bone. The two feet form an angle of 45 degrees between them. Relax, and let the shoulders hang. Both elbows are close to the flanks. The two hands are held up in front of the heart, left hand below the right. The left index finger, and the right middle finger; stretch forward horizontally, the later is on the former, and both fingers coincide with each other. The top of the head presses up. The neck should be straight vertically. The waist settles down. Both hip bones; roll inside, and draw strength in balance. Both heels twist strength outside. The two legs bend slowly down, in a rounded fashion. The mind should not hold any anger. At the beginning, the mind is like a rod standing on plain ground. When the rod has been put vertically straight and stable, the mind is naturally going to calm and settle down without any inclination. At this time, the heart coincides with the mind, the mind coincides with the Chi, and the Chi coincides with the force. This is called the "Three Internal Harmonies". If the Three Harmonies do not coincide, any small deviation at the beginning, will lead to a distance of a thousand miles from the principle. �While Taijiquan emphasizes power that is soft as a whip, Xingyiquan uses power which is like rattan � soft at the beginning and hard at the instant of striking. While Taijiquan emphasizes using defense as an offence, Xingyiquan emphasizes using offense as the defense. While Taijiquan focuses on the middle and short range fighting techniques, Xingyiquan concentrates on short range fighting.� 1Many of Hsing Yi�s forms use two successive moves to respond to an attack. In Earth the downward block of the front arm, pushes with it a mid-body reverse punch. In Fire, the front arm upward block, drives in the reverse high punch. In fighting; those who practice these forms as two step moves, loose the advantage of Hsing Yi�s nature, and momentum. When practiced together, this adds to the carrying effect of the �inch-step�. The two arm moves can be initiated and propelled by the feet, and can carry the body as whole after they are launched, the legs with them. One can push themselves into the opponents space, and through his initial response. Longer propulsion is hosted by the carrying effect of Dragon, Monkey and Chicken. For responding to strong sidekicks; some forms can be adapted to follow an advancing cross-arm block, such as Metal, Water, Earth, Sparrow, Dove and Horse. In practicing forms however; show no power, keep everything soft. This lets the chi build up in the body and will able one to reach a higher level in the art. Focusing on the martial applications of a move, is only a part of the practice. When concentrating on the martial application of a move, a lot is ignored. It is also good to practice the moves separately, to develop their specific intrinsic strength, energy and form essence. 1) Xingyiquan: theory, applications, fighting tactics, & spirit, by Liang, Shou-Yu and Yang,Zwing �Ming, page xxi.
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