XING YI 12 ANIMAL FORMS

CHICKEN FORM: JI XING

Ji Xing is the Chicken Form, and it is indeed pretty awesome. Sun Lu Tang asserts that the Chicken (or Cock) is the most useful animal to all mankind, for it announces the dawn. It is able of standing on a single leg, it shakes its feathers, and it's brave enough to brawl (p.188). 

The Chicken Form promotes a healthy brain and healthy legs when practiced correctly. It is related to heaven, and it is the beginning of moving Yin in the body (p.188).

Ji Xing has many movements; indeed, it has more than most of the other 12 animals.

• The Golden Cock Stands on One Leg: 
• From the trinity, the right hand stretches out from under the left. The waist, hips, and shoulders follow the right hand. The right leg bends and lifts the heel. The right hand draws back the elbow to the side of the body. Then the right foot steps forward but doesn't touch the ground. Then the right hand pulls back and the left comes up. The left foot lifts as the right foot steps down. Then the left hand pushes downward.
• The Latter Golden Cock Stands on One Leg:
• A forward step with the left then the right as the left hand is extended and the right is held back.
• The Golden Cock Pecking Rice:
• The right fist hits as in Beng Quan. The left hand hooks on the right wrist.
• The Former Golden Cock Shakes its Feathers: 
• Both hands cross, left under right, in front of the chest. The legs are in a horse riding stance.
• The Latter Golden Cock Shakes its Feathers:
• The right hand lifts as in Pao Quan while the left hand pulls down towards the left side. The body turns toward the right side.
• The Golden Cock Stands Up on a Frame:
• Both fists turn into palms. The right twists inward until the hand goes under the left arm. The left hand and covers the right shoulder. The right leg lefts up.
• The Golden Cock Announces the Dawn:
• The right hand lifts up from below in an arc. The left hand draws back to the side. The right foot steps forward.

Afterwards, the form employs splitting fist twice, then "Golden Cock Stands on One Leg," then "The Golden Cock Pecking Rice," then close.

I really like this form. Below are some examples of the Chicken Form being practiced. Notice the variations.