Li Luoneng

李洛能
Li Luoneng
Born1807 (1807)
Hebei province, China
Died1888 (aged 80–81)
China
Other names"Divine Fist Li"
StyleNeijia
Xinyiquan
Tongbeiquan
Gongliquan
Teacher(s)Dai Wenxiong
RankFounder of modern Xingyiquan
Notable studentsGuo Yunshen

Li Luoneng (Chinese: 李洛能) (1807–1888) was a Chinese martial artist from Shen County, Hebei.[1] He was also known by several other names, including Li Feiyu, Li Nengran, Li Laonong, and Li Neng Jang, and was nicknamed 'Divine Fist Li'. Li learned the internal martial art of Xinyiquan (Heart and Intention Boxing) from Dai Wenxiong, the son of Dai Long Bang, and later modified the style into Xingyiquan (Form and Intention Boxing).

Luoneng initially studied local martial arts such as Bafanquan in his hometown of Shen County, Hebei, before traveling to Shanxi Province to study with his teacher.[1] By 1836, he had excelled in the martial arts of Tongbei and Gongliquan.[2] To study Xinyi, he journeyed to Shanxi to learn from Dai Wenxiong. Although Dai initially refused to teach him, Li convinced him by acquiring a plot of land and starting a farm in the area. Li grew vegetables and delivered his produce to the market daily, providing the Dai family with free produce. This act of goodwill led Dai Wenxiong to accept Li as a student. Li Luoneng trained with Master Dai for ten years and became one of the most renowned Xingyi masters of his time, helping to popularize the art.[3][4]

Luoneng introduced several modifications to the style he learned from his teacher. He replaced the piguaquan technique, which involves a splitting fist, with a palm strike. Additionally, he changed the name from Xinyi (Heart and Intention Boxing) to Xingyi (Form and Intention Boxing).[5] Later, he had a number of students, the most famous of whom was Guo Yunshen. Guo Yunshen became the teacher of Wang Xiangzhai, who later popularized the qigong exercise known as zhan zhuang (post standing).

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Xingyi Quan | 形意拳 – Taiping Institute". Retrieved 2024-09-30.
  2. ^ Wu Dianke and Cheng Suren. "Old Farmer Li". Retrieved August 30, 2009.
  3. ^ Li Guang Xiang (1895). The Essence of Xin Yi.
  4. ^ Frantzis, Bruce (August 7, 2007). The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi: Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing-I (Paperback). Blue Snake Books. p. 432. ISBN 978-1-58394-190-4.
  5. ^ "Legends surrounding the Origins of some of the Oldest Schools of Martial Science". Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2009.