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The heart of Xingyi training lies in the five element fists, or Wu Xing. Externally, they appear to be simple linear movements, but actually contain subtle hidden circular movements within. Pi Quan is usually taught first since it is the same stance as San Ti.

The Five Element Fists are based upon the five forces of Splitting (Pi), Drilling (Zuan), Smashing (Beng), Pounding (Pao) and Crossing (Heng). They are designed to follow the cosmological sequence in which metal generates water, water grows wood, wood generates fire, and so on. In this way, Xingyi moves from the semipractical study and imitation of the natural world into a corporeal performance of the combinations and separations of the basic elements of the world. Not only does Xingyi exhibit a fundamental congruence with the ancient Taoist philosophies, but it also has special martial qualities as well.

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