Hsing-I    5 - "Fists"    Road      Linking     Form     連 環 

   Lian  Huan  Linking Together " Lien Huan "
(The Five Elements Forms in combination, linked together)
              FIVE ELEMENTAL PHASES CONNECT

aka: (Linkage/Connecting Fist) "Advance and Retreat Connected Fist"

Wu Xing Lianhuan Quan or Wu Shing Lien Huan 形 意 拳

or Oo (U) Hsing Lian Huan Chien  

Ready Position -Standing Posture -;   Bow N

Monkey Chi Training Stance R, Reeling Silk N

Sink into the San Ti Shi (3 Body / three leg) stance / posture (also known as San Cai)  LH & LF f 三 才 式

  1. Dash forward RH Wood
  2. 1/2 step back w/ RF Fire LH, then Wood RH
  3. Monkey side stance R
  4. Explode forward RH Fire LFf
  5. pull back in Monkey side stance Earth
  6. Hang the Print LH (crazy Hsing-I master) "He-he-he-he!"
  7. Golden Cyborg Smashes the Mortar
  8. Explode forward LH Water on 1 leg LF
  9. Step back with RF Water into 3 Body
  10. Step and Press down R Metal
  11. Backfist LH- LF Water
  12. Step up into Wildcat Backs Up The Tree Wood   RH up R Knee up
  13. Chicken Eat Rice RH Wood
  14. Turn crosswise 180º S
  15. Green Dragon Emerges from the Ocean RH- RF Water
  16. Chicken Eat Rice RH Wood
  17. Step back

Repeat all sequenced 10 movements S

Suddenly advancing, suddenly retreating, the form is continuous and penetrating.
Suddenly short, suddenly long, know clearly the details of the principles.
Chaos is combined into one Qi, its bounds are vast.
Cycling left and right like the sides of a wall.


 

Section 1 - Standing Straight Posture
The body holds fast. The heels of both feet are together and the toes are separate and open. This makes a Ba (/\) character form. Both knees are straight The lower abdomen contracts to the rear. Both shoulders level. Both arms hang down. Both hands are slightly bent and both palms stick next to the thighs. The head is pushed up from below. Both eyes gaze levelly to the front. The head must be plumb erect, with the chin slightly tucked in. Close the mouth. The tip of the tongue touches the upper palate. The chest is spread open. Breathing  is natural.

 

Section 2 - Xingyi Empty, Not Holding, One Qi
From the first section, using the left heel as a pivot, turn halfway (45 degrees) to the right.

 

Section 3 - Tai Ji Posture
Both elbows are next to the ribs. Both forearms rise up in front of the breast. The right hand covers over the back of the left hand. The middle finger and the right hand index finger, above and below, are opposite each other. The shoulders are relaxed, open, and hang down. The waist is depressed downwards. Breathing  is natural. The Qi sinks to the dan tian. Both legs slowly bend down. The body must not lean one way or the other. The heart and will must combine, the will and Qi must combine, and the qi and strength must combine.

 

Section 4 - San Ti Posture
Take one step to the front with the left foot. Slightly bend both legs. Slowly separate and open both hands. Push the left hand to the front. The elbow must be slightly bent. The left hand stands erect and straight with the palm slightly towards the right. The left hand doesn't rise past the mouth. The fingers are slightly separated, and tiger's mouth must be round. Pull the right hand back with the idea of tearing silk cloth until the right wrist is next to the front of the abdomen. The fingers are separated and the palm faces downward.

 

Section 5 - Beng Quan
Both hands, from being palms, make fists, with the tiger's mouths facing upwards, step to the front with the left foot. The right foot simultaneously advances to the front.  Both shoulders slightly bend. The left fist returns to the waist area with the tiger's mouth facing outwards. The right fist shoots out towards the front. From the shoulder to the elbow is a diagonal line, and from the elbow to the fist must be level and straight. The eyes look towards the front. The body turns slightly to the left.

Section 6 - Green Dragon Leaves the Water
Step back towards the rear with the right foot. The left fist changes to a palm. The fingers separate and reach to the front. When they arrive at their ultimate place, they change to a fist. Simultaneously the right fist returns to the waist area with the tiger's mouth facing outwards. The left foot retreats one big step behind the right foot. Both legs are crossed. Bend the knees and slightly crouch down. Bend the knees and slightly crouch down. The body faces right. The eyes gaze towards the front.

 

Section 7 - Black Tiger Leaves the Cave
The right fist shoots out towards the front with the tiger's mouth facing upwards. The eyes gaze at the right fist. The right foot steps to the front. The toe is placed straight to the front. The left hand returns to the waist area with the tiger's mouth facing outward. The left foot then does a heel step with the toe point diagonally to the front.

 

Section 8 - White Crane Spreads It's Wings
The right shoulder bends. The right fist arrives at the front near the bottom of the heart with the back of the fist facing upwards. The right foot moves to arrive at the side of the left foot. The toe hooks inward. The left fist, from the waist area, moves upwards until its height is equal to that of the right fist with the back of the fist facing upwards. Section 9 - White Crane Spreads It's Wings
Both fists move upwards and then separate and open towards the outsides. Bring both arms level with the backs of the fists facing downwards. The head turns towards the left. The left foot retreats to the left rear corner making a wedge step. Section 10 - White Crane Spreads It's Wings
Upon the command, the left foot heel turns towards the right. The body turns to the right. The right foot moves to arrive in front of the left foot. Both fists move to arrive in front of the abdomen. Both elbows are next to the ribs. The left fist opens up with the palm facing upwards. The right fist drops into the center of the left palm.

 

Section 11 - Lianhuan Pao Quan
Upon the command, the right fist rises to arrive in front of the forehead. The right arm crosses, and the back of the fist comes next to the right forehead. The right foot steps towards the front. The left foot also follows with a heel step. The left fist shoots out towards the front with the tiger's mouth facing upwards at about the height of the shoulder.

 

Section 12 - Pi Quan
Upon the command, the right fist changes to a palm and splits down to the front. The palm faces downwards. The height is even with the shoulder. The elbow is slightly bent. The body slightly turns left. The left fist moves to arrive at the waist area with the tiger's mouth facing outwards.

 

Section 13 - Pi Quan
 the right foot retreats one step to arrive behind the left foot. The left hand, from the waist area, moves up to the front and drills out. The thumb and index finger separate and open up. The middle finger, ring finger and little finger are bent. The right hand arrives at the front of the waist area. The fingers are similar to the left hand.

 

Section 14 - Wrap
Upon the command, the left and right hands move to arrive at the waist area with the palms facing upwards. The left foot moves to arrive by the front of the right ankle with the heel raised up.

 

Section 15 - Wrap
The left foot steps towards the front. The left hand, from the waist area, drills to arrive in front of the breast with the palm facing up and then drills out towards the front. When it arrives at its ultimate place, the palm overturns to face downwards, falls, and returns to the waist area. Simultaneously, the right hand, from the waist area, drills to arrive in front of the breast with the palm facing upwards. As it drills out, its height doesn't pass the level of the mouth. The elbow is slightly bent. The right foot does a heel step towards the front and the heel rises up.

 

Section 16 - Wild Cat Climbs the Tree
The left foot does a wedge step towards the front. The left hand, from the waist area, moves to arrive in front of the breast and then drills out. The palm overturns to face downwards. The right hand overturns to face downwards and drops to arrive in front of the lower abdomen. The right foot rises up towards the front and falls down in front of the left foot with the toes facing outwards.

 

Section 17 - Beng Quan
Both palms change to fists with the tiger's mouths facing upwards. The right foot does a wedge step towards the front. The left foot moves one step to arrive in front of the right foot. The right fist rushes out towards the front. The right foot advances with a heel step. It's distance from the left foot is about 4 to 5 inches. The left fist returns to the waist area.

 

Section 18 - Turn Back the Body and Cross Over Posture
The right foot doesn't move. The left foot turns towards the right. Face towards the right direction. The right fist returns to the waist area with the tiger's mouth facing outwards.

 

Section 19 - Wild Cat Climbs the Tree
The body turns to the right. The right leg rises up. The thigh must be level and the tip of the right foot rises up so that the bottom of the foot faces towards the front. The right fist moves to the front of the breast and drills upwards with the back of the fist facing downwards. The elbow must be slightly bent. The left hand is, as before, at the waist area.

 

Section 20 - Wild Cat Climbs the Tree
The right foot falls down in front of the left foot. The distance between the feet is about one step. The toes face the right. The left hand drills upwards towards the front. The elbow is slightly bent. The palm faces downwards. The right hand returns to the front of the lower abdomen with the palm facing downwards.

 

 

This form is based on the five elemental phases. It repeats itself back and forth with a short, compact, lively style. As the basic form in xingyi, it is very widespread in China.

1. Ready stance

The opening is exactly the same as for santishi. See the description of santishi (figure 1).

 

2. Enter with right driving punch

figure 2Form fists, drive the left foot forward from the right leg then bring up the right foot, keeping the weight back on the right leg. The heels are in line about 20-30 cm apart. Punch straight forward with the right fist, following the line of the left arm, and pulling the left fist back to the side (right fist eye up with the fist surface slightly tilted forward, left fist heart up). Look at the right fist (figure 2).

Main points: Hit with the left foot and the right fist at exactly the same time. Don't lift the foot too high. Keep the body steady and the lower back area flat and solid.

3. Step back, left driving punch Green dragon shoots out of the water

figure 3Without moving the left foot or right fist, draw the right foot a half-step to the back, then slide the left foot back along the same line as the right, dropping behind the right foot with the legs crossed, the left foot on line and the right foot turned out. The left heel is slightly raised, forming a half-squat sitting stance. As the left foot withdraws, drive forward with the left fist and pull the right fist back to the side (left fist eye and right fist heart face up). Look at the left fist (figures 3, 4).

Note: This movement is optionally done as a left wringing punch, in two different ways. Keeping the same footwork, either twist the fists into a wringing punch - left fist heart up and right fist heart down - or leave the leftfigure 4 fist eye up but swing the punch slightly in a circle, giving it a wringing force.

Main points: Don't move the body or turn the right shoulder as you withdraw the right foot. When you withdraw the left foot, first hit hard with the heel, then raise the heel to set into the stance. Put the knees tightly together (the left knee nestled in the hollow of the right). Punch at exactly the same time you stamp the left heel.

 

4. Aligned right driving punch Black tiger shoots out of its cave

figure 5Drive the right foot forward, and then follow in with the left. Drive the right hand out in the direction of the right foot to chest height (fist eye up). Bring the left fist back to the side (fist heart up). This forms an aligned driving punch, with both right foot and right fist forward. Look at the right fist (figure 5).

Main points: The right foot and fist hit at exactly the same time. Keep the shoulders settled. Keep the left forearm tight on the ribs. Keep the head straight and the lumbar area flat.

5. Step back, hold White crane flashes its wings

Draw the left foot back to the rear and a bit to the left. Flex the right arm and stab down near the abdomen (fist heart up). The left fist is under the right (fist centre down) (figure 6).

Turn to the right and circle the hands (right in a fist, left open) in front of the head, then separate and circle out and down, coming together in front of the abdomen. Nestle the right fist in the left palm. Draw the right foot back in front of the left. Look forward (figures 7, 8).

Main points: Stab the right fist down at exactly the same time that you withdraw the left foot. Keep the forearms tight to the sides, and make sure you don't shrug your shoulders.

When separating the arms, look at the right fist. Hit the right fist intofigure 7 the left hand at exactly the same time as you bring the right foot back, and make a sound as you hit. This sound shows that the whole body is working together - you don't have to make a sound, as long as you do the movement all together. Keep the head up, the shoulders set, and the lumbar area flat. Keep the forearms tight to the abdomen - don't let them move away. Settle your qi down.

 

 

 

figure 8

 

 

6. Enter with cannon punch

figure 10Stride the right foot forward and a bit to the right, then follow with the left. Form a fist with the left hand and punch forward. Drill the right fist up past the chest then rotate and block up to the right side of the head. This forms a reverse stance punch, with the right foot and left fist forward. Look at the left fist (figure 9).

 

Main points: Hit with the right foot and the left fist at exactly the same time. As the right arm blocks, the fist heart should follow the rotation of the body and roll in then forward, drilling first up then turning out - make sure you don't block straight up. Keep the shoulders settled and the lumbar area flat.

7. Step back, left splitting palm

figure 10

Lower the right fist in front of the body and bring the left fist to the left side (both fist hearts up). Draw the right foot back. Look at the right fist (figure 10).

 

Extend the left fist forward along the top of the right forearm, turning it over and opening to a palm to strike forward in a split. As the left hand strikes, open the right as well and press down in front of the abdomen. Look at the left hand (figure 11).

figure 11Main points: Do this all as one movement, without a pause. When lowering the right fist, first roll in the elbow. When extending the left arm, first turn the fist heart up then open the hand and rotate it. Keep the shoulders settled, the elbows dropped, and make sure not to over-extend the arms.

 

8. Reverse stance, right drilling punch

figure 12

Pause, then turn to the right without moving the right foot, and bring the left foot back to the right ankle. Lower the palms down the left side to in front of the abdomen, forming fists with the forearms stuck to the sides (fist hearts up). Look ahead (figure 12).

 

figure 13Turn left, drill the left fist up in front of the chest then step the left foot forward and follow a half-step in with the right. Drill the right fist out along the left arm to nose height. Turn over the left fist, rotate and bring it down in front of the abdomen (fist heart down). Look at the right fist (figure 13).

Note: This movement may alternatively be done as a wrapping posture  as follows: drill the hands out in a character eight palm, and change the stance to forward-weighted dragon-riding stance with the left leg bent and the right heel raised.

Main points: Bring the hands and left foot back at exactly the same time. Hit with the right hand and left foot at exactly the same time. Keep the lumbar area flat and the head up.

 

9. Hop, double splitting palm Leopard cat climbs up a tree

figure 15

Step the left foot forward with the knee flexed without moving the hands (figure 14).

Lift the right knee with the foot hooked up (figure 15).

 

Push off from the left foot to hop forward, driving the right to kick forward then down with the foot turned out to stamp the ground. Follow in with the left foot, heel raised, forming a half-sitting stance (right foot turned, left foot straight). Slide thefigure 14 left fist out alongside the right arm then turn it over and hit with a splitting palm forward and down, no higher than the mouth. Open and pull the right hand back to the abdomen. Look at the index finger of the left hand (figure 16).figure 16

Main points: As you lift and kick the right foot, don't over-extend the left leg - keep your balance. The left palm strikes exactly when the right foot lands. In the cross-sit stance the rear knee is nestled into the concavity of the front knee. Keep the head up, the shoulders settled and the lumbar area flat.

10. Enter with right driving punch

figure 17

Form fists and step the right foot forward, then take a further step forward with the left. Follow in with the right a half-step, keeping the weight on the back leg. Punch the right fist out along the line of the left arm (fist eye up) and pull the left fist back to the side (fist heart up). Look at the right fist (figure 17).

Main points: Don't change your body position as you take the first step forward with the right foot. The left foot should step a good distance, steady and fast. Keep the body steady - do not rise or drop suddenly.

11. Turn around Leopard cat climbs down a tree

figure 18

Turn the left foot in and pivot on the ball of the right foot. Turn around a full 180° and sit onto the left leg. Bring the right fist back to the right side (fist heart up). Look ahead (figure 18).

 

Drill the right fist up past the chest then out from under the jaw to drill forward at nose height. Lift the right knee with the foot hooked up then kick with the heel forward and down, land with the foot hooked out. Bring the left foot in a half-step with the heel raised, settling the knee into the hollow of the right kneefigure 19 - this forms a half sitting cross-sit stance with the front foot hooked out and the back foot on the line of action. Extend the left fist out along the right arm then open it and turn it over - strike with a splitting palm forward and down no higher than the mouth. Bring the right hand back to the abdomen. Look at the index finger of the left hand (figures 19, 20).

 

figure 20Main points: Turn around quickly without rising or falling. Keep your left leg bent as you lift the right knee, to maintain balance. Hit with the right foot and the left hand at exactly the same time. When sitting into the half crouch, settle the rear knee tightly into the concavity of the front knee. Keep the head straight, the shoulders settled, and the lumbar area flat.

 

Closing of the form

To get back to the starting place repeat the whole line of movements just described (movements 2 through 10). First step the left foot forward a bit then step the right foot forward and punch with the right fist as in the first advance right driving punch (movement 2). Then follow the rest of the sequence of moves in the opposite direction (movements 3 through 10).

When you get back to your starting place in a right driving punch (figure 21), turn around as in movement 11 (figures 22, 23, 24). Then close the form the same as the closing in the driving punch form described in chapter two (figures 25, 26, 27, and 28).

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