~ A Next Step in the Integral Chuan Curricula: Xing YI Quan ~

As you all may know, and can see from the “Integral Chuan“ revised symbol on my shirt. Master Fong Ha’s center, where I trained for 40 years, was called The Integral Chuan Institute. The Integral Chuan includes Qigong  Tai Chi Chuan, Xing Yi Quan, and Bagua Zhang (Note: Spellings can vary due to Pin YI and Wade Guiles translation styles) and the synthesis of those three traditions is called Yi Chuan Qigong. So you can see on my shirt in the middle, the symbol, the familiar Tai Chi Yin-Yang symbol of the Dao, and then Xing Yi is the box around that, and then Bagua is the circle around both. The acronym for the Integral Chuan Institute, which is below the symbol, is, ”ICI,” which in French means to be here or to be present. So when you’re practicing Tai Chi you’re  trained to be present as you roll with the vicissitudes of life and embody all that Integral Chuan is — finding balance and your central equilibrium in the midst of the the ups and downs, yin and yang of life. The secret to Integral Chuan training which you learned in the last video series  is  based upon deriving Tai Chi from wuji; and thus we start each class with Standing Meditation,  Wuij Qigong. We carry that practice forward in this next Xing Yi series, following the pathway opened by Master Ha.

Xing Yi Quan (in Wade Guiles also spelled chuan) is considered to be the most powerful and martial of the three internal Chinese arts, emphasizing more linear movements. In the 4 video set that follows you’ll learn how it can also be a healing practice for tonifying the internal organs by activating the 5 elements: fire, earth, metal, water, wood. You’ll learn an East-West synthesis about how Xing Yi teaches you to be an initiate into, and an adept of, the 5 elements and to activate those powers for your bodymind healing.

Very often in Old China, when someone would  go to an acupuncturist, the traditional Chinese medical Doctor would tell the patient, for example “you’re out of balance with, say, the metal element, therefore I want you to go home and practice that, because I think that will help your energy to be more balanced.” So,  being an initiate into and adept of the elements is what Xing Yi  is about. Usually Xing Yi is practiced as a martial art, but from our Bodymind Healing post-modern* perspective, it’s also used for integral healing which includes physiological healing, psychological transformation, and spiritual unfoldment.  

After four Xing Yi classes we’’ll move on to Bagua training to embody and cultivate being an initiate into and adept of actualizing  the great circle of life  — to bring the macrocosm, the great circle of life, into the microcosm of our everyday lives.

So without further ado, in each class in this series we’ll just start like we usually do. We’ll start with some chi warmups from the Bodymind Healing Qigong set. So let’s get warmed up first.

* Mayer, M. (2012).Tai Chi Chuan: A Postmodern Metaphysical Point of View, Tai Chi Chuan & Oriental Arts.

There are 4 Videos in the Xing Yi Series

Learn an east-west synthesis about how Xing Yi teaches you how to be an initiate to the 5 elements
and activate those powers for your body mind healing.

For example in the first Xing Yi class you will learn:

• An introduction to Xing Yi Chuan: focusing on doing the practices of the metal, water, and wood elements.
•  Review of some of the healing methods of the Bodymind Healing Qigong set and how they can be integrated with Xing Yi Chuan to augment its healing and spiritual qualities: For example; cross cultural dissolving practices in Qigong and before any spiritual practice, shape shifting in Qigong (Zhan Zhuang- standing like a tree), and in Xing Yi). Shamanic secrets of Standing meditation qigong. Opening the Bird’s Nest in your armpits to open the heart meridian etc. Shamanic secrets of Standing meditation qigong.
• Beginning your training in becoming being present and becoming adept in activating the elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) for self-defense, healing, and spiritual unfoldment.
• An introduction to some techniques such standing meditation, energy activation, and specific movements such as the “dragon’s chi” and “bear posture.”
• When practicing Standing Meditation, the significance of the “bird’s nest” point for relaxation and reversing trauma,
• How to activate the “imaginal realm” in Qigong practice.
•  Practice the Xing-Yi movements, to change your  daily life, using it to make an “imprint” or put a “stamp” on one’s interactions and relationships.
• How does Xing Yi relate to shamanic traditions of shape shifting?
• Learn the benefit of practicing Xing Yi to the four directions, and using the cross-quarters of the zodiac to the eight directions.
• Enhancing the psycho-physiological transformative potential of Xing Yi practice by embodying the 8 directions and archetypes of the zodiac.
• Using the martial and self-defense elements of Xing Yi to enhance healing.
• Focus on the Metal element: Self-healing techniques for  lungs and spine. 
• Significance of Small Intestine 3 point for empowering the spine, self assertion, psychological empowerment, and healing trauma. (This is a common point used in Energy Psychology, as can be seen in my book by that name.)
• Psychological aspects of activating the metal element; Cutting through emotional and psycho- physiological blockages.
• Integrating the Tai Chi spirit into Xing Yi practice.
• Learn to become an initiate into the Water element through Xing Yi. Activate the associated organ: Kidneys. Emphasizing the feeling of moving through water. The importance of the kidneys and the feeling of moving through water is emphasized.
• Taoist Alchemy Practice: Transforming air into water to increase the healing power of chi
• Introduction to integrating the Western esoteric traditions concept of “squaring the circle, with Xing Yi. Practical embodiment of squaring the circle in reversing psychological reactivity to become more appropriately responsive to issues of everyday life..

• Using Xing Yi’s wood element practices to tonify and detoxify the associated organs— Liver/Gall bladder. 
• Using Xing Yi to cultivate self assertion  and develop affect modulation skills to modulate anger.
• Learn the esoteric meaning of “Chuan.” Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Bagua are all systems of Chuan, usually translated as “fist.” Discover how understanding the esoteric meaning of Chuan will change a martial practice into an “Integral Chuan”practice.
• Preview of coming attractions: The Bagua animals will be the subject of the next part of this Integral chain series. Learn how the walking of the Bagua circle around the zodiacal wheel can be integrated with Xing Yi to activate the healing element you ‘re missing and need from the great circle of life.
• How does the practice of Xing Yi add an important additional element to one essential practice of the BMHQ series— the Cultivation of the Golden Ball in the Western and Eastern Mystery traditions.

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For Dr. Michael’s background and contributions to the field of Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong click here.