Differences between various styles of Xing Yi

[TigerMantis]

This is a question to all of you out there that have studied two or more styles/lineages of xing yi. I am curious as to the differences/similarities that you have found between the lineages that you have studied or are currently studying.

[Guo_Xing_Yi]

I can only comment on shanxi and hebei styles:

taking a hebei hit feels like you've been hit by a freight train.
taking a shanxi hit feels like you've been hit by fah jing.

Movements are very similar.

[TigerMantis]

Guo, how would you describe the feeling of getting hit by fa jing? I am assuming that the feeling of being hit by a freight train is the force spread over a longer time period and being hit by fa jing is having the force spread over a much shorter time period. So the fa jing would be more instantaneous and explosive. Just a guess there but please educate me if I am way off track.

[Guo_Xing_Yi]

getting hit by fah jing generally winds you for a few minutes, unless you know how to take them and ready for the blow. the contact between hand and body is short in time, and hard in power.

the hebei stylist, is still using fah jing, but with a slightly longer time span, and the same, if not more power. Hence, when you get hit (even if ready for it) you tend to go down, cursing why you thought it'd be good fun to take the hit, preying that your family jewels are still in one piece...

As it is now, I can take approx 3 bengs (essentially stomach punches) or 4 pi's (strikes to head/chest/neck) before i need to sit down and cry ;-)

[TigerMantis]

Thanks for the explanation. Its cool that you can take some punishment. I really try to avoid getting hit but sometimes it is just not possible.

My teacher would explain Xing Yi as being like falling off a building. You dont get hurt until you stop. The sudden stop is when/where the power is generated and thus the pain produced (on the receiving end anyway). Of course there is more to it than that but I always liked the explanation as a good way to get a general feeling about it.

[Guo_Xing_Yi]

Would be a good explanation for a beginner, but it would need revision pretty quickly :)

[TigerMantis]

Agreed.