Xin yi ba is highest level of secret skill of shaolin traditional gongfu. Many people might be curious about shaolin Xin Yi Ba, here I will try to provide as much accurate information as possible. The information written bellow has been translated from the copy of the original manual, and some are from Shi Xingxiao's own training experience at shaolin temple. Althrough the theory of Xin Yi Ba is very difficult to translate, I have provided a brief outline on the theory of Xin Yi Ba.

Xin Yi Ba is also known as Chu Jue Tou. It was` developed by Shaolin monks through using Gongfu movements while farming. The exact time of the founding of Xin Yi Ba can not be traced due to the several disasters in the history of shaolin temple, and many manuscripts were lost. However, Xin Yi Ba already became very famous during the Song Dynasty.

Xin Yi Ba consists only of a few main series of movements and some branch movements. When one can become proficient in mastering those movements, he can create infinite postures of their own. In fact, the study of Xin Yi Ba is to practice and fortify your Qi and your outer strength, the purpose is to manipulate your Qi to nourish your internal organs and enrich the muscles of the body. Then one can move the Qi out of the body as well, and the Qi can help your body avoid being injured in some situations. And helps Clam your mind, and prevent illness, make your body strong. The study of Xin Yi Ba consists of many aspects of different theories and practical training, such as: Understanding of the three sections (Ming San Jie)/the four sensations (Qi Si Shao)/guard the five elements (Bi Wu Xing)/Liu He and Three voids and so on.

Understanding of the three sections (Ming San Jie )

The body has three main sections of which the hands to shoulders (upper section) chest to waste (middle section) hips to feet (root section).

Then we analyze the three major sections there are another three sections to each one of the main sections.

Upper section: hands(Upper), elbows(middle) and shoulders(root).

Middle section: chest(upper) heart(middle) and lower abdomen(root).

Root section: feet(upper) knees(middle) and hips(root).

The relationship between the three sections has its own unique functions. For instance when a movement is performed from 1 of the three sections the other two sections must be in harmony to generate the power from the movement done, which means any movements must be supported by the power generated from the whole body. That's how important it is for practitioners to understand the San Jie.

Four internal sensations(Qi si shao )

For the original gongfu theory, all parts of the body are connected to the central nerve system for instance, the hair is assumed as being the ending of the blood, the nails is the ending of the ligament, teeth is the ending of your bones and tongue is the ending of your muscles.

When you are practicing, you should get the sensations like your hair is lifting your scalp, and your nails are like trying to penetrate the bones, and teeth are like biting through steel and your tongue is like trying to push your teeth out of place. Then the internal power can be generated. When the Qi raises from the Dantian, the Qi produces a sound with each movement, the sound follows the movements and work together as a whole. Then all the parts of the body are set into motion, and the internal energy can be generated completely.

Six combinations (Liu He )

Most people distinguish between external and internal martial arts and think that they are separate. But in truth, to train only internal or external are too unilateral of Gong-fu practicing. The hardest combination to train is the combination of Xin and yi. Xin is known as the heart, Yi is known as intent/mind, Liu He means the combination of six sections of the body, of which 3 are external and 3 are internal. When the six sections of the body are combined including the (Xin Yi) they can develop limitless power from their body.

The three external combinations

Feet and hands combined, knee and elbow combined, and waist and shoulder combined.

From the training of shaolin traditional movements, one would have learnt how to incorporate the three sectons of the body, and through constant practice, learn how to set them in motion as a seamless whole. Then, it would be difficult for your opponent to win from the practical aspects. Through practising the physical aspects of training and maintaining a vegetarian diet, one will build and store more Qi within the body, and thus will be ready for inrernal training.

The three internal combinations

Xin (Mind) and Yi (Intent) combined,Yi and Qi (Energy) combined, and Qi and Li (Power) combined.

The most important aspect of internal training is one's mind and intention. In other words, one's intention must be combined with the Qi and focused on each movement. As many people know that Qi-gong is the art of breathing, the majority of people who have read about Qi-gong will know that many theories are similar. However, the methods of practice may vary. Normally people's breathing is not fully completed, so the practice of deep breathing through the Dantian which is your lower abdomen can complete you breathing. In this way, your breathing can guide more oxygen to every organ and nerves, and activates the nerves to be more sensitive, which makes the immune system stronger and more resistant to viruses and illness. So the body can generate more internal energy. That's how some people who practice Qi-gong are able to be cured their own illness that conventional medicine cannot cure.

In traditional Shaolin training, there are some advanced methods and forms for internal training such as Yi Jin Jing and Shi Sui Jing, these forms enable you to manipulate the Qi and produce more physical power in fighting movements. The movements are led by one's mind, only when you can purify your mind, combined with your intent, and your mind can control the Qi to flow through all the nerves smoothly, then you can bring out the power generated through Qi in your movements. To follow the theory we explained above, your Mind, Intention, Qi and Power must be well combined, which are three internal combinations of Liu He.

Three voids ( San Kong)

The key points of practicing are about the"void" (also know as Emptiness). Which are"the emptiness of heart",the Emptiness of body , "the Emptiness of eyes" .

The emptiness of heart (Xin Kong) enable you to purify your heart calm your mind, which can make the practitioner thoughtless and fearless.

The emptiness of the body (Sheng Kong) makes you release any tightness of your body so you can move fluently and smoothly.

The emptiness of the eyes ( Mu Kong) makes you consider everybody and everything beneath one's notice, so that you can be supercilious, and show no fear when facing your enemy.

So when you practice gong-fu, first you must understand the theory behind the method. Also you have to understand every part of your body within the movements and what it is used for. Only when you understand these, your practice will be effective and efficient. The theories we have explained above are only a part of the requirements of the practice of Xin Yi Ba. There are much more theories which can not be put into words, but the practitioner must experience personally through training.

Xin Yi Ba is known as the highest level of Shaolin gong-fu, there are some certain postures and movements to practice with the requirements we explained above, by this practice you body can generate the most power and you can be proficient in the fighting strategy. And the practice can improve your gong-fu to the unlimited state. If one can reach the peak of the practice of Xin Yi Ba, then any movements performed can be called Xin Yi Ba.