Yi Xin Gong, Yixingong, 意心功

The earliest forms of Chinese martial arts evolved from crude punching, kicking and throwing methods into sophisticated combative skills using a high level of knowledge based on bio-mechanics and anatomical pressure points. In time these arts moved into many branches. Some became know as the external methods, or Waijia 外家, while a few others like Taijiquan, Xingyiquan and Baguazhang branched off to become the Neijia 內 家, or internal family, of martial arts.

 

These Neijia methods at first were simple and direct but over time the evolved into very complex systems focusing on not only physical skills but also concepts that involved mind body synthesis. As time moved on the mind body methods based on Daoist naturalism became enmeshed in Daoist religious mysticism, further complicating and rendering these arts devoid of truly functional martial skills.

 

During the 1930's in China a new internal system arose, Yiquan, also known as Dachengquan. Yiquan is a martial art system founded by the Chinese martial arts master Wang, Xiangzhai (王薌齋). Master Wang wanted to return the simple concepts of mind body energy to the muddled classical mess that had ensnared the Chinese martial arts of his day. He introduced a method of standing exercises called Zhan Zhuang 站 樁, or standing like a post. Master Wang's methods revolutionized Chinese martial arts and helped to return the martial methods to a place of scientific skill and martial prowess.

 

Today there are many variations of Wang, Xiangzhai's Yiquan. One of these is Intention Palm, or Yizhang 意掌, created by Dr. John Painter's Shifu, Master Li, Longdao of Sichuan Province. Yizhang is a close cousin of Yiquan in that it shares many of the same exercises like standing at post and some of the movement methods, yet it is a unique system that offers some amazing benefits not found in traditional Yiquan.

 

Yizhang has been taken to a new level by John Painter, PhD. ND.. In applying his 40+ years of study in mind-body research to these methods, Dr. Painter has developed a such a clear and deep understanding of the scientific principles underlying Yizhang and Yiquan that students are able to learn and develop skill at the methods faster than ever. Due to these studies, he chose to re-name the Li family method Intention Heart-Attitude Skill, or Yixingong 意心功. As a naturopath and former professional medical hypnotherapist plus having been a long time student of Master Li, Longdao, Dr. Painter is able to explain in simple, easy-to-understand terms exactly how these methods can produce amazing results in both internal and external power for martial applications in a very short time and how these methods can be used to enhance health, vitality and longevity.

 

With Yixingong you can change your neurological system in such a way that your solo martial arts practice or martial forms come alive, helping you to understand exactly which muscles to employ for force and which ones need to relax so as not to inhibit movements.

 

With Yixingong you can develop a high level of sensitivity and awareness to possible physical danger from attack or understand your attacker’s intent through even a light touch.

 

With Yixingong you can learn how to enhance your immune system to improve the production of antibodies for healing and become aware of impending illnesses invading your system long before symptoms manifest.

 

Yixingong is the core principle of all the martial systems practiced in Daoqiquan arts of the Li family.

 

• Friday: The Mind Methods of Whole Body Power 

  • We will learn exactly how to influence the internal and external body with mental imagery.

 

• Saturday: Explore the Dongtai duli lilang 動態對立力量 Dynamic State of Opposition. (DOF)

  • We will learn how to feel these states of energy through a series of easy to understand exercises.

 

• Sunday: Exploring the Liu-bu 六步 with Yixingong

  • We will explore the basic martial art stances and movements used in all styles of martial arts and how to use these with the Yixingong methods.

 

Shigong John Painter will present this three-day program at Orchard Kung Fu’s wu guan. (4-404 33rd Street West, Saskatoon, SK)

 

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