<--- | --->There
are three main branchs of Xingyiquan, all named after the location they were
concevied in: Shanxi, Henan and Hebei.
If we consider that modern Xingyi began with Ji Long Feng during the early 1600s,
then the original style is from Shanxi.
Ji then taught his system to Cao Ji Wu & Ma Xue Li. Ma left Shanxi and took
his teaching to Henan, thus creating the Henan style which to this day only
consists of the 10 animal forms.
Cao transmitted his entire art to Dai Long Bang. Dai Long Bang
further developed the art introducing the 5 elements to the art. He was famous
for Xinyi (Heart-Mind), not Xingyi (Form-Mind), and their boxing is still called
Dai Family Xinyiquan to this day.
The majority of Northern style Xingyi still practiced today, however, can be
traced back to one of Dai's best students, Li Lao Neng (also known as Li Neng
Ran) who was nicknamed "Divine Fist Li". Li is considered one of most
famous exponents of the art.
Li Lao Neng refined the whole style and varied the use of the elements. Many consider him the "father" of Xingyiquan. He also added the following forms to the style : Wu Xing Lianhuan, Wu Xing Sheng Ke, An Shen Pao, Za Shi Chui and two additional animal forms bringing the total to twelve: the Water Lizard (Tuo) and Tai Bird Forms.
Li later returned to Hebei and began teaching there resulting in the modified Hebei style.
The Henan style is still very rare to this day, while Hebei remains the most common style, especially here in the West. The Shanxi style is more fluid and it's animal movements are a bit more complex with emphasis placed on the type of internal energy you're trying to generate. Shanxi is generally practiced very smooth and softly at first. Hebei is more straightforward and simplistic, concentrating on gang jing or "hard power," which is later refined to hidden power.
Because of the nature of the art, there isn't much bickering among Xingyi practioners as to whose branch is the best or more effective. Mutual respect is generally held between the camps, for all branches of Xingyi utilize the same internal principles and same modus operendi - to take the enemy down hard, fast and without mercy.
<--- | --->
