Yiquan is rooted in the practice of standing meditation postures, which are known as “Standing posts” in China. These “posts” are specific postures that open, heal, realign and strengthen both body and mind. It is not just standing in the posture but what is done with one’s mind that is essential. As a mind/body practice, Yiquan uses an exact alignment and a relaxed mental environment in which specific connections are made with intention on physical, mental and energy/environmental levels. This can take your Yoga, Meditation, Martial Arts or Sports to entirely new levels.

A complete system of martial arts, Yiquan starts with the healing, and strengthening of the body. Some people are happy to focus on the extraordinary health building aspects of Yiquan and not pursue its martial aspect. In fact, Yiquan has been used and scientifically studied in rehabilitation and recovery from an impressive list of ailments. It is important to note that its benefits include improving mental as well as physical well-being. It is a more dynamic form of meditation because holding a posture is a mild form of stress, which increases circulation without straining the heart. You train to relax in the midst of that challenge. This may be one reason it helps to fortify one in daily life. 

Originally, Yiquan was developed as a method of developing martial arts power. Its creator, the martial arts genius and legend, Wang Xiangzhai, realized that there are limitations to physical strength and skill but none to the mind. All “internal” martial arts seek to integrate the power of the mind in a more direct way than simply training the physical level. Master Wang took the study of mind to deeper levels in realizing the detailed relationships of exactly how the mind and body interact and how to precisely develop and channel that infinite power. His realization was not just a scholarly dissertation but honed from a lifetime of challenges and exchanges with accomplished martial arts Masters. At one point, he issued an invitation in a popular newspaper, for all martial artists to come and “discuss” the martial arts. Soon, challenges came from Europe, Russia, Japan and throughout China. Master Wang or one of his four main students successfully answered all challenges. He was able to defeat others without hurting them, which resulted in many of his challengers becoming students.

Wang Xiangzhai , like some “Renaissance men” of the west, explored a vast range of knowledge and interaction. He conferred with leading artists, poets, engineers, and other outstanding thinkers of his time. He put his intensive research to the test of real combat and he never stopped researching, evolving or learning from his experiences. Master Wang ultimately discovered underlying principles of the human condition. This is why, if you are fortunate to have a wise teacher, Yiquan can take you beyond the martial arts to a life of freedom. Like “Zen”, it can help one realize who you truly are and awaken dormant aspects. You discover that the physical body is like the very tip of an enormous iceberg. Learning what each layer of the iceberg is and how to make it function is part of the training process. Layers of tension melt in both your body and mind with dedicated practice. You feel entirely different, alive in a new way. Circulation increases. Everything is better. Perhaps it can be seen as incarnating more of your spiritual dimension into your body and into your life, merging the insubstantial with substantial. You may notice that Awareness always is. You may understand that this means you are free right now and the potential to express that freedom is the joy of living. More of you is present.

Yiquan can give you extraordinary power, so the cultivation of ethics is required for personal balance and relational harmony. This is not just because some ancient way dictates it, but is part of the science of living. “Don’t injure yourself and don’t injure others” is one of the core guidelines in Yiquan. If you are grasping for power you may be destroyed by it like someone holding on to a surfboard in the pounding surf…let go. The art of letting go yet paying attention to the subtleties of mind is a key often missed in practice. If we are motivated by fear or power it is difficult to see clearly because we are stuck in unconscious survival mechanisms. Can we discern when and where to cooperate or what degree and kind of control is appropriate?  All this takes time, self-study and honest practice.

Discovery, exploration, experimentation keeps the practice alive and rewarding. Applying the fruits of practice in drills, (shili, push hands etc.), is a reality check and feedback mechanism. It is fun and interesting on many levels.  With proper instruction you’ll find Yiquan can improve your entire life.

Dr. Jiusong (James) Kan is a highly accomplished practitioner of Yiquan, Taijiquan, Baguazhuang, and Xingyiquan as well as an excellent Acupuncturist and Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine who was formally a top Surgeon in China. As a meditator and practitioner of Buddhism, he has unusual insight into the spiritual dimensions of martial arts and life.

 After meeting various Masters for over twenty years, I can say that Dr. James Kan is refreshingly authentic. He is an inspiring person who actually “walks his talk”. He has boundless passion for martial arts and can readily demonstrate various levels of internal achievement. Dr. Kan has been generously and passionately sharing Yiquan with a small group for over four years in New York. He clearly delineates the fine points of internal development to those who practice properly with the correct mindset. If you don’t have these prerequisites he may say it, but you won’t “get it”. You don’t get it with the logical mind only. It is a “whole body” intuitive discernment arising organically from skillful practice. “You must empty your cup, but you must also lower it so it may be filled”.

Dr. Kan is an “indoor disciple” of Mr. Bao Yong Gang who was in turn, an indoor disciple of Grand Master Yao Zhongxun. Bao Yong Gang has a profound understanding of Yiquan along with incredible skill. He generously shared his Yiquan expertise with us for three months in 2007. This was a rare and extremely precious gift. Grand Master Bao (he actually is too humble to accept any title) embodies the higher reaches of Yiquan, although he might say, there is no end to learning. 

Wang Xiangzhai had many highly accomplished students who each contributed to the growth of Yiquan (which is also known as Dachengquan or “Great Achievement Boxing”). In recognition of his extraordinary ability, Yao Zhongxun was given the official lineage successor title by Wang Xiangzhai.

Grand Master Yao developed a complete and systematic method of Yiquan with applications for health, sports and martial arts. He was pivotal in popularizing Yiquan in China. His two sons continue that work today.

Dr. Kan is part of this great lineage and will now be opening his class to highly qualified students in New York.