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New York City I Liq Chuan

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (click here to view class times, locations & holidays)

I Liq Chuan (literally translated as "Mental-Physical Martial Art", Pinyin = Yiliquan) was founded by Chin Lik Keong and further evolved by his son Sam Chin. I Liq Chuan practice focuses on developing awareness of structure, relaxation, and energy. It blends the mindfulness of Chan (Chinese Zen) and the fluidity of Taiji (Tai Chi) principles, leading some to describe the practice of I Liq Chuan as "Zen Mind, Taiji Body".

We offer five different types of I Liq Chuan classes in New York City - please either scroll down or click on the links below for a description of each class:

I Liq Chuan: Basics
I Liq Chuan: Spinning Hands
I Liq Chuan: Sticking Hands
I Liq Chuan: Applications
I Liq Chuan: Introduction to Sanda with Sam Chin

I Liq Chuan: Basics

 Pre-requisites: None.
Links: Spinning Hands | Sticking Hands | Applications | Introduction to Sanda | Top of Page

I Liq Chuan foundation training is comprised of a series of fifteen basic exercises and two short forms. Each basic exercise develops specific physical coordinations and qualities of action that are then trained in both combination and sequence in the forms. Each stage of the process is designed to develop a specific skill set, which is then carried into the Spinning Hands, Sticking Hands and Applications phases of the training.

In this class we will also introduce students to Spinning Hands Cycle 1, a partner exercise designed to develop both intent and structure.

Level 1:
  1. Stance
  2. Relaxation - Absorption & Projection
  3. Horizontal Plane
  4. Frontal Plane
  5. Sagittal Plane
  6. Incorporating 3 Planes of Movement
  7. Condense & Expand
  8. Macrocosmic Orbit Flow
  9. Tu'na (condensed) Breathing
  10. North, East, South, West
 Level 2:
  1. Concave & Convex
  2. Weight Shifting & Hips Rolling
  3. Footwork
  4. Four Directional Kicks
  5. Throwing Hands
 Level 3:
  1. Twenty-one Form
  2. Applications of Twenty-one Form
 Level 4:
  1. Butterfly Form
  2. Applications of Butterfly Form


I Liq Chuan: Spinning Hands

 Pre-requisites: This class is open to students currently enrolled in the Basics class.
Links: Basics | Sticking Hands | Applications | Introduction to Sanda | Top of Page

Spinning Hands is a two-person partner practice designed to train efficient movement while learning to feel the gaps in your own structure and intent. Spinning Hands resembles Push Hands (Tuishou) but differs in that it begins with heavy pressure and, over time, is refined to light. Heavy spinning allows you to feel where your alignment is off and to feel the flow of force, both from the point of contact to the ground and from the ground to the contact point. If practiced over time, Spinning Hands will help you to develop relaxation, structure, root, connection, intent and flow while under pressure.

Students begin training by spinning their hands and forearms around each other, in a series of specific patterns, while using physical sensitivity and mental awareness of the reactions of both their opponent/partner and their own bodies to build the qualities the internal arts are known for. Through this practice you will begin to feel and act spontaneously, rather than thinking and anticipating. Initially the patterns are large, gradually becoming smaller as the principles are integrated. Power is generated from the ground through the feet and legs, transmitted through the waist, through the contact point(s) to affect the opponent's center of mass.

You will learn to control your opponent's center while protecting your own through the sophisticated use of angles and structure to dissipate incoming force while issuing your own. Over time you will learn to produce power with less effort, move in the three planes (see below), recognize the uses and limitations of movements in each plane and smoothly change from one to another.

Level 5:

  1. Eight Cycles: Stationary
  2. Eight Directions Power Training
  3. Five Elements of Application
Level 6:
  1. Eight Cycles: Moving
  2. Range: Upper, Middle, Lower, Further, Middle, Closer
  3. Section: Wrist, Elbow, Shoulder, Hip, Knee, Ankle
  4. Five Elements of Application
  5. Kicking: Outside, Inside, Mixed
 Lessons learned in Spinning Hands will inform the rest of your practice, regardless of style.

The Three Planes:

  • Horizontal
  • Frontal
  • Vertical

The Six Directions:

  • Up
  • Down
  • Forward
  • Backward
  • Right
  • Left

The Eight Patterns:

  • Cycle 1: Outside Circle Spinning
  • Cycle 2: Inside Circle Spinning
  • Cycle 3: Clockwise Circle Spinning
  • Cycle 4: Counter Clockwise Circle Spinning
  • Cycle 5: Alternating Outside Circle Spinning
  • Cycle 6: Alternating Inside Circle Spinning
  • Cycle 7: Alternating Clockwise Circle Spinning
  • Cycle 8: Alternating Counter Clockwise Circle Spinning


I Liq Chuan: Sticking Hands

 Pre-requisites: This class is open to students currently enrolled in the Basics class.
Links: Basics | Spinning Hands | Applications | Introduction to Sanda | Top of Page

Building on the foundation provided by Spinning Hands, you will now train to respond sponaneously to attacks. Whereas Spinning Hands teaches us to recognize, meet, absorb and project force, Sticking Hands teaches us to flow and to neutralize. The martial applications of I Liq Chuan are introduced through the following stages of training:
Level 7:
  1. Flow
  2. Fend
  3. Control
  4. Jam/Freeze


I Liq Chuan: Applications

 Pre-requisites: Instructor permission.
Links: Basics | Spinning Hands | Sticking Hands | Introduction to Sanda | Top of Page

For those students who have developed the coordinations introduced in both the Basics and in the Spinning Hands classes, our Applications class provides the opportunity to test them under progressive resistance. In addition to the increased intensity and various power training methods, the Applications class moves from the Spinning and Sticking range and introduces students to the concept of bridging.


I Liq Chuan: Introduction to Sanda with Sam Chin

 Pre-requisites: Student Level 2+ and Instructor permission.
Equipment: Mouthguard, groin protection, head protection, open hand gloves & shin protection (equipment may be purchased in class).
Links: Basics | Spinning Hands | Sticking Hands | Applications | Top of Page

In this special class, system co-founder Sam Chin will lead the group in learning the basics of Sanda. In this introduction to Sanda (literally "free fight"), you will learn to use I Liq Chuan basics to spar by recognizing the opponent’s limits and power - movement and direction of opening and closing, shoulder limit and centerline limit.

Concepts that will be covered include:

  • Rooting & Footwork to Maintain Readiness
  • Body Coordination for Issuing Power
  • Meeting Force
  • Enticing & Dictating the Action
  • Mirroring
  • Strategies For Bridging - Seeing The Lines
  • Distance & Timing

Note: This is an unique opportunity for beginners to train directly with Sam Chin, who will be dropping in on the program on random days. Students who register for this class must plan to attend all eight classes for each term. Students who miss two classes in a term will be asked to leave and will forfeit their deposit.

New York City I Liq Chuan ~ www.internal-arts-training.com ~ New York City Taiji Ball Qigong