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Title: Hsing Yi Chuan: Theory and Applications (Chinese Internal Martial Art) by Shou-Yu Liang, Jwing-Ming Yang, Alan Dougall ISBN: 0-940871-08-4 Publisher: YMAA Publications Pub. Date: July, 1991 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.62 (8 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: buy this book only if you like to think
Comment: The reason I especially like Yang's books is that they force the student to think outside of the "box." Yang realizes full well that a martial arts book can only enhance - not replace live instruction. As a former university teacher he is used to forcing his students to think outside of the "box." If you have been through enough college texts, then you know that they will solve the simpler problems up front and leave the more complex ones for the students to solve, thus forcing them to think outside of the "box." At the introduction of Yang's "Hsing Yi Chuan" he also describes Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua Chang, and the ultimate combination of all three internal styles, Liu Ho Ba Fa. At appendix A containing "Yeuh Fei's Ten Important Theses" the concept of inserting the other internal styles is implied in certain concepts: For example, in the "Thesis of Stepping," the concept of "hern," to enwrap the opponent's attack to the side, is integral to the practice of Pa Gua Chang. Another example is in the passage, "If your opponent remains calm for a long time, you may want to do something to make him move first. Then you have to borrow a technique. This means that you temporarily `borrow` a technique to use it as a fake - it is not your actual attack. Such techniques cause the opponent to move and break down his concentration on his defense..." This tactic implies the "listening" of Tai Chi Chuan.

In essence, the text forces the student to think outside of the "box" of Hsing Yi Chuan. That's what all the old songs, sonnets, and original Chinese texts are for throughout Yang's books; they force the readers to think outside the "box." The same can be said for "Liang Zhen Pu Eight Diagram Palm" by Li Zi Ming which is clearly for advanced students. This book consists mostly of translations of old songs and philosophy up front with a few pictorials at the back, but the purpose is clear; it's meant only as an enhancement to live training that forces the reader to think and translate those those thoughts externally to his practice. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not like being forced to think because they are too convenience oriented, so they poo poo on books like these.

Rating: 5
Summary: Probaly the ultimate Hsing Yi book
Comment: This is probably the best and most lucid book available on
Hsing Yi (Xing I). Although Hsing Yi doesn't seem to be the
core art of either of the authors, the writing is reasonably
straightforward, and there are translations of Yueh Fei
and similar texts.
The 5 fists are described, with one form tying them together and
another form from master Lians Shou Yu, incorporating the 12
animals. The two man form, Ann Shan Pau is shown, and a double
deer hook set is demonstrated by dr. Yang. There are also 12 Chi
Kung exercises included.
The setup of this book is that the ancient texts are first shown in
Chinese, then literally translated (in boldface) and then briefly
interpreted and discussed.
There's also an accompanying video available seperately.

Rating: 4
Summary: Hsin-Yi Chuan Theory and Applications
Comment: This book is an invaluable resource as far as the translated writings of Yeuh-Feah. It covers all the bases regarding the basic movements. The only criticism I have is that like other books on hsin Yi it fails to present the style as it was orginally taught (e.g. military training). That fact aside, the amount of knowledge contained within is certainly the price.

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