When Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng was asked what his favorite boxing was, he said, “Hsing-I, because it’s DIRECT”. Master Lin spent about 7 years learning Hsing-I from Grand Master Wang Shu Jin (Big Wang). Master Lin emphasized over-and-over using “whole body”, natural and relaxed movements, (“true gung-fu like walking, no special do”).
Master Lin also concentrated on the 5 basic movements and did not teach the animal forms often, only commenting on them as part of the forms. He said the basic 5 were all that were needed. He demonstrated how Hsing-I was effective for entering into Shuai-Chaio throws.
For class-time demonstrations, he’d ask me to throw a punch to illustrate Hsing-I applications. The direct counter of Hsing-I never allowed a second strike or kick – I was always compromised, without the ability to correct my position. “Boxing come…., boxing over”
He felt Hsing-I was very “high” as a martial art. Although not pretty, it is very effective. He also though it is very healthful, strengthening the body and chi. For many years, he did Hsing-I every morning.
