DVD Yi Quan

DVDs: Yi Quan page1

Yi Quan (Mind Boxing) is also known as Da Cheng Quan (Great Achievement Boxing). Though seemingly a simple system Yi Quan is subtle and deep emphasizing mental training as much as physical. Though originally derived from Xing Yi Quan, this style simplifies even more completely eliminating Tao Lu (forms). Rather than this traditional practice Yi Quan has a number of other methods. These include Zhan Zhuang (Standing meditation drills), Tui Shou (Partner Exercises), San Shou (fighting training), Fa Li (Issuance of Power), and others, Shi Li (testing force).

Yi Quan puts a lot of time into training mind, fist and strength. To accomplish this Yi Quan attempts to eliminate outdated practices and approach Quan Xue, that is to say the Science of Boxing. Yi Quan sees three main approaches to martial studies for self defense, health and the joy of study itself. By streamlining this process, it is felt, more people can safely and enjoyably study the arts. Students start with Standing exercises for health then progress to standing exercises for self defense. Then begins its other methods of single and partner practice.

Yi Quan Page 2 We also have some Yi Quan VCDS (video compact disks) unavailable otherwise

#21016 Keeping Fist Stance & Attacking Stance
Feng Hong Can Da Cheng Quan #1
About this instructor
41 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

This DVD shows the different stances of Yi Quan but also explains the fine point of the life preservation stance and the attacking stance. A lot of important details are given here with comparisons between the fighting and health application. Here it is called the HunYuan stance. Bear, Dragon, Independent, Holding, Walking, Swing, Tiger, Horse, As the stances progress the more advance movement patterns such as Tiger and Dragon are demonstrated.

#21017 Try Force and Cao Fist
Feng Hong Can Da Cheng Quan #2
About this instructor
43 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

This second in the series concentrates on the Da Cheng approach to force. He shows the most common but also more detailed and advanced methods of trying force. He explains the principles of the various forces by recalling their earlier existence from Xing Yi. He also shows Cao Fist work, Canon Fist, Crosscut Fist, Chop Fist. Good instruction.

#21018 Standing Stance and Life Preservation
Feng Hong Can Da Cheng Quan #3
About this instructor
83 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles/ Double DVD

Quantity $27.95

This DOUBLE DVD starts with an explanation of Da Cheng Quan Push Hands, a very dynamic approach. Partner methods are shown progressively. They start almost stiff but alter as the variations are demonstrated. Single hand pushing is also to strengthen stance and waist movement. Next we have the free steps known by many people as Vivacious Dance. This gives the large movements normally supplied by forms yet not drifting far from Da Cheng’s central theme of spontaneity. Next there is a long section on Feng’s particular insights into actual combat with the Da Cheng system. He gives a lot of advice. Life preserving and stance work is next (similar to information in #1). Then entire second DVD emphasizes life preserving stances and curing techniques. A very thorough presentation.

Our comments on the series below with Zhang Guang Yu and Yi Quan in general:

About Zhang Guang Yu.

#24201 Try Force, Seek Force, Whole HunYuan Spring
and Shoot Force of Canon Fist

This DVD works on the Springing and Shooting force along with the Seek and Trying Force with steps and short. medium and long distance applications. Spring and Shoot Forces are the basis of exploding power. All forces need to be united and fluid.

Around 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

See a different VCD series by this instructor

#24202 Whole HunYuan Spring and Shoot Force by Techniques of Fists, Elbows and Knees

This DVD shows the basics forces applied to punching, elbowing and kneeing. The movement are explosive and variable. The training goes immediately to the issues and shows individual students and group practice.

Around 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

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#24203 Try Force, Seek Force and Whole Spring and Shoot Force of Legs Technique

This DVD shows the basics forces applied to kicking and the footwork complimentary to that skill.

Around 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

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#24204 Actual Combat of Steps, Shivering Sword, and Swimming Dragon

This DVD explodes the footwork for actual usage. Also an interesting section on issuing power with the straight sword somewhat like Baji Sword. Zhang seems to be working with a well-trained contemporary Wushu player. It is interesting to note the differences between Zhang issuance and his. Also there is a short section of Swimming Dragon Bagua while applying Yi Quan intent.

Around 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

See a different VCD series by this instructor

#10118 Fa Li & San Shou
(Corresponds to VCDs #118 & 120)

This is a DVD on "Fa Li" or "issuing power" This phase of Yi Quan's (Mind Boxing) method concentrates on essential martial movements and the proper energy or power issued with their practice. A number of exercises lightly but definitely issue the correct actions for martial application. As is typical of Yi Quan the attempt is to strive for simplicity and motions that are natural yet truthful. This aspect of the training is more martially than health oriented but retains Yi Quan's directness and accessibility.

This aspect of the training, known as "San Shou" which implies "Free Hands" or applied self defense. This is a little more straight forward from the self defense standpoint that its sister method of "Tui Shou" or Push Hands. Yi Quan fighters surprised many people in the 1920's with their powerful showings in certain tournaments and, at the same time, their deceptively simple methods of training: right out of the heart of their mother system, Xing Yi.

See VCD versions of this series.

Around 120 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

#10119 Push Hands & Single Actions
(Corresponds to VCDs #119 & 121)

This aspect of the training, known as "Tui Shou" after its T'ai Chi inspiration, is a series of partner movements that are good exercise and yet safe for two-person practice. These movements emphasize body alignment and subtlety of perception. They fit into Yi Quan's overall scheme beautifully and give partner's a chance to help one another to progress

In this DVD the Yi Quan (Mind Boxing) is explored with single action movements. A number of exercises are given with details of structural considerations such as body and spinal alignment. Keeping to the Yi Quan philosophy of simplicity the actions are easy accomplished by the kind of essential movements that could be explored for a lifetime.

See VCD versions of this series.

Around 120 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

#10122 Standing Practice & Power Testing
(Corresponds to VCDs #122 & 123)

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The basis of Yi Quan's practice lies in a series of standing postures where the student "relaxes while practicing, and practices while relaxing". Recalling its basis in the internal martial arts, Yi Quan starts with stance training that is dynamic and helps develop internal strength for both self defense and health aspects. It is here that health, martial practice and meditation meet.

This is also a DVD on "Shih Li" or "testing power" This phase of Yi Quan's (Mind Boxing) method concentrates on utilizing the continuous movements of Yi Quan to open the cavities (acupuncture points) and increase health. In distinction to the Fa Li vcd this series of seven primary moves strive for smooth actions that, nonetheless, can "store and restore the Ch'i".

See VCD versions of this series.

around 120 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles

On Zhang Guang Yu:

Zhang Guang-Yu served as China head coach of Lung Fu Shan Institute of Taoist Internal Strength; Yi quan Research Association of Jiangxi Province; Yi quan Qigong Research Association, Anhui , Jiangsu Province. He also acted as head coach of the East Fight Club. Suqian City, Jiangsu Province. He also acted as adviser to Chinese Wushu Association, a private research group; researcher Chinese Wudang Boxing Research Association; visiting teacher Chinese Qigong Academy of Sciences, visiting professor at the Guangzhou Branch of the non-drug therapies, counselor for Hebei Province and others. He is currently Jiawang curator of the Oriental martial arts.

How do you review a system with very few “moving parts” but infinite variations? The problem of talking about Yi Quan is that it attempts to reduce Kung Fu to “essential boxing”. Certainly an admirable goal, anyone may agree. We can at least review the method of presentation for the material. An instructional DVD is, finally, an instructional DVD. If the information seems well and appropriately presented then the DVD is at least superficially successful.

This series breaks the essential into four sections seen below. The basic pattern is for Mr. Zhang, the instruction, to have student/s demonstrate the repeated drill as though an exercise tape you can follow. Then the other students are brought in and show their versions of the skills. Though applications are shown they focus more on catching the form and the feeling of Yi Quan than any exhaustive exploration of their details.

In this sense the series of DVDs seem forthright, clear and generally well-prepared presentation from a teacher who knows his subject.

But something seems to be missing in the Yi Quan DVDs we review, including this series. There should be a fuller discussion of why what seem kick basic boxing movements are Yi Quan, why standing is so necessary. I'm quite familiar with many Yi Quan texts and performers. But comparing for instance that classic Tai Kit Ken from Kenichi Sawai to many modern Yi Quan practitioners we feel that though the systemic basis such as standing training has been preserved there looks to be slippage in the actual manifestation of the skills. Do we have here an example of the difference when discussing a highly personal fighting style of Wang Xing Zhai's that has been transmitted with only partial success? Is this the inevitable and almost imperceptible decay of the style's “soul”? I certainly watched it happen with branches of Kenpo that quietly devolved into tap-and-touch. There are a lot of fine JKD coaches but I'm darned if I can understand what some studios are teaching in recent years. Some styles, like LimaLama and its “lama” derivative cousins, are so disparate quality-wise that it's shocking. Perhaps Yi Quan is too personal to pass on more than a generation or two. We've been seeing some truly mediocre showings (not by Mr. Zhang, certainly). All we want is for a DVD to have a solid explanation available to the public not of its promises and somewhat unsubstantiated claims such as winning all the contests in the 30's—a disputed proposition—but why moving like a rather untalented boxer and standing like a tree is by definition a Chinese art. In other words Yi Quan DVDs should more explicitly and clearly explicate their core principles.

Feng Hong Can is a disciple of Wang XiangZhai. He has been a practitioner of Da Cheng Chuan for many years. He has a full understanding of trying force, standing and boxing practice. The core of Da Cheng Chuan is strong attack. It also gives generous health benefits. Da Cheng is a blend of the essence of many styles of martial arts. One of its prime features is called “try force.” At the other end of the spectrum Da Cheng has a progressive method to teach healthful exercises and Qigong.