hsingi kung fu

Hsing-I Kung Fu

This is a short history of the art of Hsing-I Kung Fu

Kung Fu is indigenous to China. It is agreed on by most historians to be approximately 4,500 years old. The term "Kung Fu" by itself means the ability to do a job and alone does not refer to the martial arts. The correct term and the one which is most often used in China is "Wu Shu." However the term "Kung Fu" will be used in this book in referring to the martial arts so as not to create confusion and because we have become accustomed to hearing it applied in that manner in the West.

The history of martial arts in China is long and somewhat obscure. There are many different theories which account for the origin and lineage of Kung Fu and historians have not always been able to agree on any particular explanation.

Undoubtedly, when dealing with the past, facts and legends may become intertwined and the job of sorting out the whole truth becomes near impossible or at least very complex. The task becomes more difficult the further back in time one goes. So, to account for nearly 5,000 years of Kung Fu history would take a great deal of time and effort. That task can be handled infinitely better by those more qualified than myself. This book will not deal in any great detail with the history of martial arts since it is not within the scope or purpose of this publication. I would merely like to present a general overview of the subject so that the reader may have some basic idea of Kung Fu before delving into the heart of this book which is H’sing-I.

There are over 365 different styles. Out of all these styles, which are still practiced in China and abroad, there are in reality only two main divisions. One is the Shaolin style which is of the Buddhist school of thought. Buddhism originated in India and spread to China. The other is the Wu Tang style which is of Taoist origin, a philosophy which is native to China and one which was practiced before the arrival of Buddhism.

Under the heading of Shaolin Kung Fu there are well over 360 styles. Shaolin Kung Fu developed from various fighting techniques which had already evolved in China. Within these temples the martial arts were cultivated and refined. The essence of the Shaolin style is the 18 hand techniques. Bodhidharma, the 20th patriarch of Buddhism, introduced the Chan, or Zen in Japanese, aspect of this philosophy to China. Chan is the art of health nourishing. This addition increased the popularity of the already famous Shaolin Temples.

Chinese history celebrates Ch'an San Fung, a Taoist born during the Ming Dynasty, as the founder of the soft school Wu Tang. Unlike the Shaolin styles, the Tao styles did not place great importance on physical strength. Through the practice of this soft style they hoped to relieve tension and stress on the internal organs and promote a healthy body.

Through diligent practice the internal art of the soft styles helped to soothe the nervous system, produce internal heat, to regulate the transition from old to new and to regenerate the function of the degenerated internal organs. The spiritual aspect of doing nothing and yet getting everything done was instilled in the Wu Tang School. The internal styles were still linked to the Shaolin styles because most students or Kung Fu began their training with Shaolin and progressed to Wu Tang.

Taken from the Masters Manual of Hsing-I Kung Fu

Shen Lung Lineage

Yue Fei
(Legendary Founder of Hsing-I)
Ji LongFeng
(Probably the actual first practitioner)
Cao Jiwu
Dai Longbang
Li Luoneng
Gao Yunshen
Chang Chun Feng
Hung I Hsiung
Hsu Hong Chi
John Price

Shr Fu John Price

Biography

John Price is the senior American student of the late Master Hsu Hong Chi.   John initially began his training with Master Hung I Hsiang in 1967.   When Hsu Laoshr opened his own school in the fall of 1967 most of the American students went with him because his English was much better. There were two classes per day 9 - 12AM and 7 - 10 PM. Shrfu Price attended both of these classes several times a week. Structured this way it was easy to train 30 hours per week. This intensive training improves a students performance greatly. Training continued for the next 3 1/2 years.
     Upon returning to the United States, Shoufu Price began teaching Hsing-I to a few select students and requested Master Hsu to come to the United States and help and to continue study. Janet Price (also a senior student of Master Hsu) wrote twice a month requesting our teacher to come to the United States and help teach at the new school. This continued for the next five years from 1971 -1975 when he finally came to the United States for what was to become the first of a twice a year trip here to teach the medical, herbal and bone setting arts. During his stays Shrfu Price continued to refine Hsing-I and learn the art of Bone Setting and manipulation of the bones (chiropractic).
     In 1977, John was named the head of the Tang Shou Tao Association in the United States and he also served as Vice President for the International Tang Shou Tao Association. This same year Shrfu Price published the Masters Manual of Hsing-I Kung Fu.

Master Hsu and Shrfu John Price 1977 Master Hsu

Shen Lung Tang Shou Tao Association