Re: Pi Quan - “Splitting fist” or “Chopping fist”
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 2:19 am
Please take in consideration that I know very little about xingyi, but here are my two cents
Pi has a main downward component because it is driven by a downward dantien rotation. Same way, tzuan is mainly upward because it is driven by an upward dantien rotation. These two are linked so they create a circle in the body, Rising and falling. I dont see it as a swing, I think it's more like a radial arm saw, recycling the force in the circle instead of letting it go.
I see also a minor horizontal component from kua rotation in both of them that enhances splliting and drilling, so we could say they can also be diagonal motions. Fine for me provided that horizontal doesnt take over the main vertical force (that would be Beng, a main side to side dantien rotation with a minor vertical component.) I would dare to say that Pin also mainly uses an opening the back force, while tzuan focuses on opening the chest. The stance isnt really important for me, as we can find many examples of the same force used in san ti stance or crossbody variations(same side pi in san ti, crossbody pi in eagle or dragon, same side tzuan in san ti, crossbody tzuan in bear, crossbody pao quan, same side pao quan in hawk...)
Pi has a main downward component because it is driven by a downward dantien rotation. Same way, tzuan is mainly upward because it is driven by an upward dantien rotation. These two are linked so they create a circle in the body, Rising and falling. I dont see it as a swing, I think it's more like a radial arm saw, recycling the force in the circle instead of letting it go.
I see also a minor horizontal component from kua rotation in both of them that enhances splliting and drilling, so we could say they can also be diagonal motions. Fine for me provided that horizontal doesnt take over the main vertical force (that would be Beng, a main side to side dantien rotation with a minor vertical component.) I would dare to say that Pin also mainly uses an opening the back force, while tzuan focuses on opening the chest. The stance isnt really important for me, as we can find many examples of the same force used in san ti stance or crossbody variations(same side pi in san ti, crossbody pi in eagle or dragon, same side tzuan in san ti, crossbody tzuan in bear, crossbody pao quan, same side pao quan in hawk...)