Xingyiquan book by Mike Patterson

[RickMatz]

Mike Patterson is a well regarded senior Xingyiquan teacher. He has competed successfully in full contact tournaments in Taiwan and has also trained several of his students to compete successfully in those tournaments.

He has a new book out: Xing Yi: A Means to an End. I just ordered it.

[RickMatz]

Mike Pattersons’ Xingyi: A Means to an End is an excellent reference for a Xingyiquan student.

It was a pleasure to read a well thought out and produced book on the theory and practice of Xingyiquan.

Besides going in depth on just what is taking place with each of the Five Elements and Twelve Animals sets, Mr Patterson describes his own system of how to teach his students to actually fight with what they’ve learned from Xingyiquan practice. Not just applications or examples, but a theoretical, systematic and practical bridge from the classical exercises to combat.

He also recounts the history of xingyiquan in general and the Tang Shou Tao school of xingyiquan in particular. I particularly enjoyed his storytelling and anecdotes.

The margins of my copy will soon be filled with notes. This is the Xingyiquan book I’ve been looking for.