I Liq Chuan System

I-Liq Chuan is an internal Chinese martial art system based on principles of Zen and Tai Chi. Literally translated, the name means "mind-body fist" or alternatively "mental-physical boxing." Often referred to as the "Martial Art of Awareness" due to its emphasis on mindfulness training as the foundation for achieving martial skill. Training in I Liq Chuan improves mental focus, calms the mind, improves balance, heightens body awareness, increases range of motion and develops powerful and graceful movement.

I-Liq Chuan training is two fold with solo/individual training teaching fundamental developments for an understanding of efficient movement with power and balance. This foundation is accomplished through the 15 basic exercises of I Liq Chuan and is the beginning process in harmonizing one’s self and unifying with a partner or opponent. As, a person develops through the art gaining more proficiency in self-awareness and maintaining body unity, more partner exercises are incorporated into training to develop an ability to harmonize or unify with a partner.

I Liq Chuan cirriculum outline offered:

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Spinning Hands

I Liq Chuan basics:

Develop foundational skills through a series of fifteen basic exercises. Spilt into two sections, Level 1 consists of exercises 1 through 10 and Level 2 is exercises 11 through 15. These exercises develop specific physical intent and coordination with a balanced quality of movement. The fifteen basics are the needed pre-requisites for the I Liq Chuan system with no experience needed.

Level 1

Standing
Absorb & Project
Horizontal Plane
Frontal Plane
Sagittal Plane
Incorporate all Three Plane
Condense & Expand
Macro-cosmic Orbit
Tu'na Breathing
North, East, South, West

Level 2

Concave & Convex
Shifting Weight
Footwork
Kicking
Throwing Hands

Level 3

21 Form
Application of 21 Form

Level 4

Butterfly Form
Application of Butterfly Form

Spinning Hands

Spinning Hands is a two-person partner practice designed to train efficient movement while learning to feel the gaps in your own structure and intent. Spinning Hands resembles Push Hands (Tuishou) but differs in that it begins with heavy or grinding pressure and, over time, is refined to light touch. Heavy spinning allows you to feel where your alignment is off and to feel the flow of force, both from the point of contact to the ground and from the ground to the contact point. If practiced over time, Spinning Hands will help you to develop relaxation, structure, root, connection, intent and flow while under pressure.

Students begin training by spinning their hands and forearms around each other, in a series of specific patterns, while using physical sensitivity and mental awareness of the reactions of both their opponent/partner and their own bodies to build the qualities the internal arts are known for. Through this practice you will begin to feel and act spontaneously, rather than thinking and anticipating. Initially the patterns are large, gradually becoming smaller as the principles are integrated. Power is generated from the ground through the feet and legs, transmitted through the waist, through the contact point(s) to affect the opponent's center of mass.