I've been trying to add some diversity to my WC training, and in doing so have become vary interested in the 5 phases of Hsing I. It's simularities, I think, will make it a great compiment to my excisting training routing. I do have the problem though that there are no Hsing I / Xing Yi schools any where near me.
So my 1st question is, how important is having a sifu to learning the energy in the
5 phases. In WC, chi sao is impossible w/o an experienced player. Would it be impossible or just difficult. I have a great book by Dr's Luang and Yang called
appropriatly "XingYiChuan" and it has all the movments and alot of the associated
poems. Again, I only want to study the 5 phases and not all the amimal forms.
And also, since from what I have read via other sorces, the real importance is the energy, and each phase can be translated into many techniques. So when practicing the phases, is it ok to substitue some of the movments so long as you stay true to the energy and syncronization of limbs.
For example in Pi, when you finish the movment, the forward arm leg are the same side, can you do it so at the end of the movment, the opsite are is forward than the forward leg.
Also, in Pao, can I use a forward block instead of an upward one.
Basicly, in general, can you make changes and still get the same energy out of the
practice.