Hsing-I means the shape a person takes.  In Hsing-I, a person becomes a predatory dinosaur and attacks its prey until the prey falls and the dinosaur can feed.   Hsing-I is a mental state akin to self-hypnosis and the attacker becomes a Tyrannosaur until the prey succumbs.  The form of mind is an attacking system and as such is defective against a system based on defense.   An attacker eventually gets tired and the system does not work so well in a defensive mode.  D’Amato taught Mike Tyson Hsing-I and the only way to beat him was to stay away until he tired.  The form of mind is a system revered by the Chinese and they do not teach it in the West.  The Japanese tried to imitate the system with Shotokan, but it is not the same.  In the form of mind, the six simple actions require very little thinking, and this is why the system is so efficient.  From practical aspects, the form of mind works best for small people because its actions are based on vectorial footwork and big people don’t move as well and are better suited to Tai chi.   As in Tai Chi, the footwork is the all.  Accelerating the body mass coincident with the punch produces a devastating effect and the six simple movements are all designed to stun with one punch. A tyrannosaur must stun its prey before it feeds.  

Footwork

Walking step

Conservative step

Modified step

Flying step

Step to the side

Inch step

In the walking step you step forward, revolve your torso, and punch with the other hand.    The Conservative step is the step of a killing dinosaur.  A boxer steps forward, revolves his torso, and strikes with the same hand.  It is the most powerful but makes a practitioner walk like a robot.  The modified step is stepping forward and bringing the rear foot into horse posture to punch.  A boxier uses this step when the prey is close.  In the flying step, a boxer lifts his lead foot and turns it 45 degrees out, leaps forward, and punches in the conservative step into an archery stance, then follows the step.  The side step is to counteract another attacking dinosaur.   A boxer steps to the side and then begins to advance with one of the steps.   Inch step is used with crossing and a boxer uses it to measure an opponent when in guard to begin an attack.

As in all the internal systems, the steps are all and power derives from accelerating the body mass.

The forms

Crossing (heng)

Crushing (peng)

Pounding (Pao)

Splitting (Pi)

Drilling (tsuan)

Decking (Zhuang shi ban )

Crossing is the mother of Hsing-i.   All forms derive from crossing.  When in doubt use crossing, then begin the lien chuan (combinations) to overwhelm the opponent.   When attacked, side step then use crossing and begin the combinations.  Heng is earth and is the beginning and the end.  Heng is the same as bending the bow in the white crane and Kun bui,  the backhand.   Heng is done with any step but boxers prefer the inch step transiting to the modified step.   

Crushing is the mainstay of Hsing I.     All combinations utilize crushing.   Crushing focuses on the solar plexus although a person can use it to the face.  An expert like Mike Tyson delivers crushing to the body and then finishes with pounding or the hook.   In a fight crushing can stop the heart or bring the hands down in preparation for pounding or decking.   

Pounding is the long hook and the same as horizontal flying in a white crane or return tiger to a mountain in Tai chi.   Pounding can be delivered with any step but is taught with the Z step because an attacker is usually close when they deliver pounding.  Horse, step to the diagonal and deliver a hook with the arm outstretched, then follow the step to the horse.  Pounding is fire and a boxer does this as fast as they can. 

Drilling is the same as the spear hand in shoaling boxing and is used extensively in commercial prizefighting because professional boxers are big, and fast, and to survive a boxer must keep their hands up in front of their face.  Using any step and the hands in front of the body and lower face, a boxer drill outwards their hand using the flat fist. Drilling is the fastest of the forms and this is why boxers use it extensively in the ring. 

Splitting is the same as the hookercut.   It is a vertical hook delivered to the groin.    If a boxer has a reach advantage they use splitting to soften up an opponent.  In prizefighting,   splitting is delivered to the lower ribs or liver, but it is defined as a punch to the groin only. 

Decking is the overhand right or brush knee and press in Tai chi.   In a drilling stance, a boxer pulls a hand up above their shoulder and strikes downward like a hammer.  Remember to move the body forward as you deck someone.  Decking is the sky and unifies with the earth and water.   This is the way of saying you deck someone using the right cross and hookercut.  

In your living room, go through the forms and link them as you please, this is your persona or lien chuan.

Crossing combines with anything,   pounding combines with splitting,   and drilling combines with decking.   Heng becomes peng, then pao into drilling or decking.   The turning step links the forms and is used to confront an attacker from behind or to attack a boxer who dodges out of the way. This is the seventh combination.  Hsing-I chuan Hsueh is a unique and prime number.  

This is Hsing-I in a nutshell delivered to the west.  Hsing-I originated in the Luhan province of China where dinosaurs used to roam.  Southern Shaolin is part of Hsing-I and can be taught separately. These static forms are:

Komodo dragon

Sparrow

Hawk

Phoenix

Turtle

Horse

Mantis

Bear

Eagle

Monkey

Tiger

                There are two more that I cannot remember.

The internal systems are to be practiced every day for exercise until a boxer dies.   When a boxer wants to die they stop practicing the internal systems.  They are above all a means for health and self-defense if necessary.   If a person thinks he or she is tough, go to a boxing gym and show them what you got.  This is the way of the Tao.