The Five Elements (Wu Xing) are a conceptional model created by Taoist philosophers around 700–200 BCE from observing natural cycles in nature and cosmology.

The Five Elements are an abstract concept, often difficult to understand, and even more difficult to apply within a martial concept by academic study alone.

In this Five Element Fighting Seminar, Laoshi Paul Andrews, introduces Five Element Fighting from the Chinese internal boxing system of Xing Yi Quan.

The seminar will begin by looking at how to develop internal power through breath control and expulsion, relaxation and contraction of the body, flexion and extension of the spine and rotation of the body. These are natural body movements, observed from the forces in nature. There’s nothing mystical or metaphysical about inner power. Understanding how to apply these principles creates kinetic energy and martial power.

Laoshi Andrews will then introduce the Five Element Fist (Wu Xing Quan) of Xing Yi Quan. Five Element Fist is the most fundamental cornerstone of this internal system of Chinese boxing.

Five Element Fist reflect five distinct, instinctive forces, developed by aligning structure to create different types of kinetic energy. The objective of drilling these five basic techniques is to develop an instinctive method of force generation for martial application, and to assist in understanding the theoretical destructive (Ko) Cycle or generative (Shen) cycles of Five Element Theory.

Each of the 5 elements are expressed through five striking techniques, each of which are influenced by natural forces in nature. These five striking techniques includes:

• Metal (Pi Quan) or Splitting Fist. A downward, chopping movement that acts like an axe, developing inward-converging force. Similar to Gedan Shuto Uke often observed in karate kata such as Pinan Nidan.

• Water (Zuan Quan) or Drilling Fist. A diagonal, upward, drilling motion, similar to a vertical wave or flowing water. This is often observed in karate kata where it is described as Mizu Nagare seen in katas such as Pinan Godan, Naihanchi Shodan & Gojushiho Sho.

• Wood (Beng Quan) or Smashing Fist. A straight, rapid forward punch, the force here is described as the breaking or splintering of wood.

• Fire (Pao Quan) or Cannon Fist. A diagonal, explosive upward/inward strike utilising contraction followed by explosive expansion and said to reflect the observation of artillery fire. A common method of punching found in Shaolin boxing & Chen style Taiji Quan. Found in Kata such as Pinan Nidan.

• Earth (Heng Quan) or Crossing Fist. A diagonal/inward turning motion, acting as the foundation that connects and directs force, similar to bridging or crossing. Energy is drives from spiralling, transverse rotation often used to deflect an opponent’s energy away from the body. Similar to the Soto Ude Uke in Karate.

This seminar will introduce how to utilise the 5 Elements into your martial practice and to develop internal power through the natural movements of the body, teaching you how to utilise differs planes of motion to create kinetic power.

Understanding how to apply power in Kyusho Jitsu is as equally important as knowing which points in the body to attack.

Laoshi Paul Andrews has over 26 years’ experience in Chinese internal and external boxing systems and has trained in Xing Yi Quan in China.