Yi means Imagination, or the power of the mind; Quan means fist, and is often for martial arts or boxing.

Yiquan is a inner martial art system, or neijiaquan, and is also a great way for to cultivate health and mind. In its methods Yiquan continuously cultivates the human body and its mental skills. Besides its great development of power and fighting skills.Yiquan was founded by Wang Xiangzhai (1885-1963), one of the greatest masters of Chinese martial arts. Master Wang learned Xingyiquan from famous Master Guo Yunshen. In his time master Wang was famous for his martial arts, qigong and skills in chinese medicine. He dedicated his life to search for the essence of the inner martial arts. Master Wang was the opinion that themost martial art systems put toomuch valuein the movements of the body, instead or the development of the innerforce. He also was convinced that the knowledge has to be taught freely and without any mystirious secrets. After Guo Yunshen`s death, Wang travelled extensively around China looking for different masters of mertial arts. As a result of his research he became convinced that far too much time and effort was spent on learning pretty movements and empty forms. He based his teaching on Xingyiquan but kept simplifying and modifying it to put greater emphasis on mental training rather than outer form. He therefore decided to drop 'xing' (form) - from Xingyiquan and called his new system Yiquan.

1939, after moving to Beijing and perfecting his system, Wang Xiangzhai issued an open challenge to all other masters of martial arts to "come and exchange experiences and ideas". Many came to test their skills but none succeeded in defeating Wang Xiangzhai nor the four top students he designated to take challenges. Wang Xiangzhai`s system became very famous and he had a lot of students. But his desiganted successor has been Yao Zongxun. Master Yao Zongxun carried on his teachers work, and made major steps in the development of Yiquan.

In Yiquan there are 6 basic training sections. *Zhan Zhuang - Standing Plole *Shi Li- Testing the force, which also includes Shi Sheng - Testing the Voice * Zou Bu- Walking patterns, where the basic is the Mocabu- friction step *Fa li- releasing force *Tui Shou- Pushing Hands *San Shou- Free fight.

The training is mainly focused on two aspects 1 Health and increasing strength 2 Fighting Skills.
As mentioned above, ZhanZhuang is the basic exercise in Yiquan (more about this in the ZhanZhuang area), where the focus is on the use of the Mind, and the coordination between Body and Mind. This Mind is called Yi in chinese and means Imagination, Spirit. Through the process of exercising we will develop an understanding of Song- Realxed and Jin- Tight, and how they interfere in our force, our moving, our balance, our agility and our state of mine. The training of Yiquan helps to understand and balance the contradiction of Jin and Song. Their is a saying "Song er bu xie- Jin er bu jiang", that means "Relaxed but not soft - Tight but not hard". Which can be interpreted as the balance of Jin and Song, a state of art, where Body and Mind can develop their greatest force, are still flexible and in balance.

As through the training the Body and Mind come more in Balance, this balance also reflects on our life and health. Your health will increase and your Mind will stay more relaxed and focused during your all day life

Yiquan
Terminology