Origins of Dai Family Xinyiquan

Over the past few centuries, this martial art has been kept highly secret within the Dai family in Qixian, Shanxi province. It has a long history, rich content and rooted with Chinese metaphysics concepts. It integrates the practices and theories of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, making it a scientific martial art that practices both internal and external cultivation. Its techniques follow the objective laws of nature, emphasizing the balance of yin and yang, and the theory of the mutual generation and inhibition of the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth), which is the essence of D.F. Xinyiquan.

Simultaneously, Dai Family Xinyiquan is recognized as the foundational basis for many internal martial arts that continue to prosper in the modern era, including Xingyi, Yiquan, among others. Many of the originators of these subsequent styles were significantly influenced, directly or indirectly, by the training techniques of Dai Xinyiquan. If you wish to gain a deeper understanding and practice of these legendary figures such as Li Luoneng, Guo Yunsheng, Wang Xiangzhai, Sun Lutang, etc., and their renowned techniques like Zhan Zhuang, Santishi (Three Poles Standing), and more, learning from Dai Xinyiquan's approach can be beneficial.

Dai Family Xinyiquan is the ancestor of Xingyiquan(Form Mind Boxin) created by Li Luoneng who studied with Dai Wenxiong)  which is one of the three famous internal martial arts (Taijiquan, Baguazhang, Xingyiquan). Internally, it focuses on the unity of mind and intention, intention and Qi, and Qi and power (known as the triple union of internal cultivation). Externally, it focuses on the unity of hands and feet, elbows and knees, and shoulders and hips (known as the triple union of external movements).
Now Xingyiquan is one of the three major lineages originated from Xinyiquan。

Although this martial art enjoys a high reputation and attracts many enthusiasts in the martial arts world, it has not been widely spread due to its conservative transmission methods and strict requirements. It was previously only practiced in Qixian, and there are only a few hundred people who truly practice this martial art, with even fewer reaching a high level of proficiency. Influenced and restrained by the Dai family's motto of "only passing it down within the Dai family and not to outsiders," it has maintained the ancient and traditional style of Chinese Han ethnic martial arts.

The founder is named Dai Longbang, a descendant of the famous scholar Dai Tingxi. He was born in the 59th year of Kangxi period (1720) and died in the 14th year of Jiaqing period (1809) at the age of 89. He had a great passion for martial arts since childhood, was exceptionally intelligent, diligent in learning, and meticulous. Under the influence of his martial arts family, he studied both academics and martial arts, fully inheriting the Xinyiquan style passed down by his grandfather Dai Biaomiao, mastering its intricacies. He then learned the Xinyi Liuhequan created by the Ji lineage. He was also taught an ancient style of Xinyiquan by Master Cao Jiwu, the internal exercises of Heart training by Master Bo Shan. He combined also other various martial arts (such as Praying Mantis, Baguazhang, etc.) to create ultimately Dai Family Xinyiquan. He is revered as the founding ancestor of Dai's Xinyiquan in the martial arts world.

The characteristics of Dai Family Boxing

Dai Family Xinyi Quan is also called "Transforming Spear into Fist Boxing," which means it was derived from spear techniques. It is said to have been learned by Yue Fei. "The spear initiates linearity" Therefore, when practicing this boxing style, one must also walk straight back and forth. Dai Family Xinyi Quan advocates striking first and occupying the centerline. The boxing manual says, "View people like weeds, strike people like walking." "When practicing boxing, there seems to be somebody when there is in fact nobody. When sparring, there seems to be nobody where there is in fact somebody,."

During sparring, it is required to "treat the enemy as if they were burning fire, strike hard and relentlessly without obstruction," “Chain 3 punches as if you can only see its shadow but not being able to grasp it," "Rise like the wind, fall like an arrow, knock down your opponent and make he feels that you can accelerate much more" .

During sparring, it is required to "treat the enemy as if they were burning fire, strike hard and relentlessly without obstruction," “Chain 3 punches as if you can only see its shadow but not being able to grasp it," "Rise like the wind, fall like an arrow, knock down your opponent and make he feels that you can accelerate much more" .

Starting from its creation Dai Family Xinyi Quan has only been passed down within the Dai family, rarely to outsiders.(Occasionally it is passed to relatives, Li Luo Neng being the only exception.) One reason is that if the skill does not stay within the family, it couldeasily lose its meaning and due to its efficiency, it is quite easy to inflict death or severe injury. There is a saying in Qixian County, "Taiji does notleave the house for ten years, Xinyiquan kills a person in one year (of training)." The second reason is that, during this time, the descendantsof the Dai family were relying heavily on providing bodyguard service for merchants to protect their property and livelihood.

Even if there were transmissions, they could be only superficial. Li Luo Neng, the Xingyiquan creator from Hebei, initially sought to become Dai Longbang's disciple but was denied. Li then bought a piece of vegetable land near the Dai family's residence 

and daily deliveredvegetables to them for free. Finally, Dai's mother was moved and decided to pass on the skills to Li. However, the Dai family's body movements (monkeycrouching stance) and mental methods were not transmitted and only half of the techniques were taught for each move and style. The essence of Dai's Xinyi Quanremained completely undisclosed.
This is also the reason why the publicly transmitted Xingyiquan has the same names for techniques as Dai's, but theroutines are completely different. Because of its great power, Dai's disciples rarely engage in friendly matches. Even when practicing, they do so in placeswithout anyone around or late at night. There is a saying in Qixian County, "Only see the Dai family's fist strikes, never see the Dai family practicing boxing."

Dai Family Xinyiquan most famous routines

Among Dai Family Xinyiquan most famous routines you can find in:

Fist Category:
Five Element Fist routine , Four Handed Fist(Si Ba) routine, Ten Large Animals routine, 7 Small animals routine, Zha Shi Routine, Territory Routine, Double Handed Fist(Er ba) routine, Various forms of Cannon Fist routine, etc….

Weapons category:
Liuhe Dao, Liuhe Sword, Liuhe spear, Liuhe stick, Emei Blade, Iron chopsticks (Qiankun needle), etc….