Description

Yi Quan can be thought of as a combination of Tai Chi and western boxing as well as hsing yi. Long forms have been removed and the style has been stripped to the essentials for health and self defence. It is very similar in concept to Bruce Lee’s jeet kune do in adapting western boxing’s training methods and equipment to internal kung fu, but was actually created in the 1930’s by master Wang Xiangzhai.Yi Quan is also known as Da Cheng Chuan in China and Taikiken in Japan. Although it has a strong focus for martial effectiveness it retains the soft approach of Tai Chi in training. Cardio conditioning is encouraged but not viewed as particularly essential, Yi Quan conditioning focuses on standing in still postures for extended periods of time, called Zhan zhuang. Yi Quan can be practiced at any age and practioners do not necessarily look like athletes. Sparring practice is encouraged but not at full power and force as this can harm your training partner. Nevertheless some yiquan people enter san shou or kickboxing events and do quite well.Although this is a documentary and not an instructional video, every aspect of Yi Quan training is shown. For more information go to yiquan.com