Hsing I is a soft, or internal, style of fighting from China, akin to T'ai Chi, but apparently less complicated, as some masters prefer teaching kung fu students this style before going on to T'ai Chi and Ba Gua Zhang.

The style is performed with relaxed muscles that are never fully extended, meaning that all movements are slightly circular in their application even the ones that travel linearly.

Students are taught to always grasp an incoming limb in anticipation of a throw or to push or pull an incoming opponent into counter-blows.

There are 12 different styles based upon 12 different animals, two of these are the chicken and the swallow. Neither of which are commonly considered true fighting birds (with the exception of fighting cocks, perhaps), nonetheless they've inspired two styles of Hsing I.

The Chicken style is based upon the observation of ancient martial artists of chickens fighting on one leg, whilst pecking and grabbing the opponent with the beak, battering him with the wings and clawing at him with the feet and these movements are incorporated in the system.

The Swallow style is based not so much on direct fighting actions, as the swallow rarely fights, but more on the intimidation the animal attempts by swooping directly at opponents. This movement is very useful for evasion, if only by just a few inches, or for direct counter-takedowns.

(Synopsis courtesy of Rathryn Ramos)