Hsing-I is an old battlefield martial art from northern China. It is said to be descended from the Sung Dynasty hero Marshal Yue Fei. Hsing-I is characterised by the application of a broad range of subtle fighting methods based upon the Five Elements of Chinese philosophy as well as twelve different animal Hsing (characters or strategies).

As might be expected of a battlefield style, Hsing-I has extensive weapons methods in addition to barehand practice. These include spear, straight sword, broadsword, staff, halberd and others. We practice the Hebei style of Hsing-I, passed down from Master Guo Yun Shen, which is characterised by the use of the piercing “dark jin” combative energy. Dark jin originally derived from the use of the spear, but is now applied to all Hsing-I weapons as well as bare-hand practice.

We cover virtually all aspects of this art: five elements and twelve animals across bare-hand and several different weapons. The main animals studied are Bear-Eagle, Snake, Tiger, Dragon, Chicken, Horse, Swallow, Crocodile, Goshawk, Flycatcher, Monkey and Turtle. Other aspects of Hsing-I covered include both types of Jiaoshao, An Shen Pao, Niu Da, Yan Yi, Yuan Cheng and many different Lian Huan.