<span class="chinese-post-title">燕形學</span> The Study of the Swallow Form from <span class="chinese-post-title">形意拳學</span> The Study of Xing Yi Quan

燕形學

燕形者。燕之最靈巧者也。有取水之精。在腹內即能採取腎水上升。與心火相交。易云。水火旣濟。儒云。復其真元。在拳中即能活動腰氣。又有躍身之靈。其拳順則心竅開精神。足而腦筋亦因之而強。其拳謬。則腰發滯。身體重。而氣亦隨之不通矣學者於此。尤當加謹焉。

孫祿堂

"The swallow is the nimblest of animals and is good at taking up water. Within the body, it can get the kidney water to ascend for it and the heart fire to link together. The Book of Changes calls it “water and fire assisting each other” [as in hexagram 63 – “After Completion” (made of water ☵ on top of fire ☲)]. The Confucianists call it “restoring your true original state”. Within the boxing art, it can exercise the energy in the waist and give the body a nimble lunging ability. If it is practiced smoothly, your mind will be clear, your spirit will be abundant, and your brain will be strong as a result. If it is practiced with excessiveness, your waist will be sluggish, your body will be heavy, and your energy will be obstructed. You should be especially careful of this."

From the book The Study of Xing Yiquan (形意拳學), by Sūn Lùtáng (孫祿堂), translated by Paul Brennan