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Xing Yi Master Shang Ji shares his profound insight into the art of Xing Yi. In this excerpt from his book Xing Yi Fighting Skills he discusses the subtleties of the form and internal Jin of Pao Quan (P0unding Fist/Cannon Fist).
Pao Quan Poem
The two hands turn over and release from the heart,
The liver is the root and assists fire’s power.
Oblique and straight, walk freely to change,
The heavenly circuit revolves and turns like the tide.
Twisted Step Cannon Fist (拗步炮拳)
This is the most common training method. Starting in San Ti Shi, the right hand extends forward to the left hand so that they are together. Immediately both hands make fists and circle to return, the left hand going to the umbilicus and the right hand under the right armpit. The hands are even and the fist centers face upward. Simultaneously, quickly step forward with a treading step: take an inch step with the front (left) foot, and then the rear (right) foot goes ahead of the front foot and is substantial. The forward (left) foot quickly lifts and steps immediately behind the rear (right) foot just along inside the anklebone in a level step. Stop and look leftward (Fig. 2-44). Inhale. The left fist rises along the right side of the chest and drilling and lifting upward, twisting and turning over at the front of the forehead with the upper arm making semi-circular shape and the fist heart facing the upper left. The right fist strikes out straight forward similar to Beng Quan (Bursting Fist).
The right fist is level with the Heart Mouth (solar plexus), and the fist center faces left. At the same time the left foot advances with a large stride to the left front. The right foot follows the left foot half the distance and stops. The waist twists following the shoulder and the right fist. Exhale and the Qi of the whole body is integrated and entire (Fig 2-45). This is the left side Pao Quan (Cannon Fist) form.
Follow Step Pao Quan (顺步炮拳)
Begin as before. The two hands make fists at the umbilicus with the center of the fists facing upward. The left foot advances and as before the right foot is inside the left foot with the tip of the toe touching the ground Empty the left foot and the right foot becomes substantial. The eyes look forward (Fig. 2-46). Inhale and then immediately the left foot advances with a large step. The right fist drills upward from the chest and turns over ending at the front of the forehead with the fist center facing upward. The left fist comes out from under the ribs to strike straight ahead as you exhale. The eyes look at the left fist. This is similar to the following step Beng Quan (Fig 2-47).
Inhale again as the right hand stretches forward to reach the left hand. The two hands separate to become fists with the center of the fist facing upward. Together they return to the front of the lower abdomen, turning over and combining (coming together) with the fist centers (fist hearts) facing upward. Simultaneously the right foot goes forward to reach the inside of the left foot, with the tip of the toe touching the ground. The left foot becomes substantial and the right foot empty. Exhale and the eyes look forward. The left fist drills upward and turns while the right fist strikes straight forward as the right foot takes a long step forward. The eyes look at the right fist. Train like this with the right and left side exchanging continuously and in alternation.
Turning Body Action
When turning from the follow step Cannon Fist, is the same as the turning action in Splitting Fist. Twisted Step Cannon Fist begins with the right striking form (right foot forward and left fist striking). First the two hands gather and return to the lower abdomen with the fist hearts facing upward. Simultaneously, the right foot hook steps (Kou Bu) leftward with the tip of the toe turning inward. The left toe tip makes a curving step to the left rear. The right foot is substantial and the left foot steps close to the inside of the right foot. The right foot is substantial and the left void or insubstantial. The body turns leftward and the left hand drills upward and turns over as the right fist punches out straight. The left foot steps forward. Above and below are coordinated. This is the left form of Cannon Fist.
If you wish you can turn the body back to the right. The two hands gather and return to the lower abdomen with the fist hearts facing upward. Simultaneously, the left foot hook steps (Kou Bu) rightward with the tip of the toe turning inward. The right toe tip makes a curving step to the right rear. The left foot is substantial and the right foot steps close to the inside of the left foot. The right foot advances and the body turns rightward as the right hand drills upward and turns over and the left fist punches out straight.
Now step forward with the left foot. The left hand stands and the right hand touches the pulse [of the left hand] as the hands split forward, becoming a left Splitting Fist (San Ti Shi. Then both fists gather the form (close).
Requirements for Employing Jin
The head presses upward (Ding) like Mount Taishan. This is like a hungry tiger contending for food. The tongue props up and the teeth clamp as if biting flesh and sinew. The pores of the whole body are tight. Like a rolled up flower about to burst open. The shoulders loosen and open with withdrawing, shrinking Jin. The outside is loose and the inside is full and tight. The hand and foot rise and drill, fall and turn over. As you advance the waist twists. Everything is unified and correct. It is like firing a cannon. All at once all four sides explode open, swiftly and violently. As the form begins, the left foot goes forward and the hands stretch. Right foot treading step lands on the ground. Left foot raises and lifts. The two hands return and stroke to simultaneously make fists and the two feet awaken the internal Qi. Gathering together at Dantian.
When performing the left form of the Cannon Fist, the left fist rises as the body turns going upward for the chest to wrap (Guo), Drill (Zuan), twist (Ning) and Overturn (Fan)
There is internal wrapping force in harmony with upward drilling force, and outside opening combined with upward, twisting, turning overturning force. Don’t have the arm horizontal and straight. One draws the Zheng Qi to rise and merge in Chong Mai (Thoroughfare Vessel) and go up to the eyes. From the armpit the power rises and rushes upward. This power cannot be stopped. The right side goes forward in a straight strike. The left foot goes forward and lands in good order. Hand and foot arrive together; foot falls and hand reaches. It is like a cannon shell exploding. Heaven bursts and splits the earth. If it hits the target it is invincible. The fist’s power is regulated by the waist. Pressing down the rear heel aids the waists twisting power. The waists twisting Jin (follows the step) and urges the shoulder forward, which urges the elbow forward, which urges the hand.
