The Six Harmonies of Xing Yi Quan (形意拳六合) from The Illustration of Xing Yi Quan (形意拳圖說)

形意拳六合

形意拳最重要之點，在一“合”字。動作合，則姿勢正而獲其益；動作不合，則姿勢乖而氣力徒勞。不可不知也。

凌善清

"In Xing Yi Quan, the most important point is in one word – coordination. If the movements are coordinated, then the postures will be precise and gain the advantage. If the movements are not coordinated, then the postures are irregular and the vigour will be futile. One must not ignore this."

所謂合者有六，身無偏倚，心平氣和，意不他動，動作自然，謂之心與意合，意與氣合，氣與力合。此內三合也。

"What is called coordination includes six topics. The body is not leaning, the xin is peaceful and the chi is harmonious, the yi is not concentrated on other matters, the movements are natural. This is called the coordination of Xin and Yi, coordination of Yi and Chi, and coordination of Chi and Li. These are the three internal coordinations."

動作時兩手扣勁，兩足後跟向外扭勁，是曰手與足合；兩肘往下垂勁，兩膝往里扣勁，是曰肘與膝合；兩鬆開抽勁，兩胯里根抽勁，是曰肩與胯合。此外三合也。總名之曰六合。

"During the movement, when both hands have grabbing Jing and the heels of the two feet have the external twisting Jing, it is said that hands and feet are coordinated. When the two elbows are sinking and the two knees are locked internally, it is said that the elbows and the knees are coordinated. When the shoulders are relaxed and open in drawing the Jing and the two hips are firmed internally to draw the Jing, it is said that shoulders and hips are coordinated. These are the three external coordinations. The total is called 'the six harmonies'."

學者能熟知六合之法，則練習時自能觸類旁通，而一舉一動，無不合法。蓋內六合之外，還須心與眼合，肝與筋合，脾與肉合，肺與身合，腎與骨合；外三合之外，尚須頭與手合，手與身合，身與步合也。

"If the student is able to become familiar with the techniques of these six coordinations, then when practicing, he will automatically understand others which belong to the same category. Then, every movement cannot avoid being in the right way. In addition to the three internal coordinations, one still needs xin and eyes to coordinate, liver and tendons to coordinate, spleen and muscles to coordinate, lungs and body to coordinate, kidneys and bones to coordinate. In addition to the three external coordinations, one still needs head and hands to coordinate, hands and body to coordinate, body and stepping to coordinate."

觀此可知形意拳動作之間，無論內外，莫不有陰陽之分，即莫不寓有互相聯合之理，學者當體會及之。

"If one observe these, it is clear that from the movements in Xing Yi Quan, no matter if it is internal or external, there is none that escapes the discrimination of Yin and Yang. That is, there is no movement that does not intrinsically have each other (Yin and Yang) combined. Students ought to realize this point."

By Líng Shànqīng (凌善清), based on the translation Based on the translations by Yang Jwing Ming (楊俊敏) and Liang Shou You (梁守渝) in