Ma Shengli, Xinyi Liuhe Quan practitioner from Shanghai, has recently published an article in which he gave his own explanation of Guo (Wrapping), Jian (Stepping Forward) and Zuan (Drilling). He rejects the idea of Zuan - Guo - Jian as three fist techniques. Instead he explains that they are directly related to the way the body is used (so-called Body Method - Shen Fa) and footwork of Xinyi Liuhe Quan: "So-called "Wrapping" (Guo), is also called "Contracting" (Shu) or "Storing" (Cun); it is the method the force is stored (Xu Li) in every movement before it is released (Fa Li) (method, not specific movement!). We know that in any kind of martial art, if it has releasing of force, then it certainly has a process of storing of force, even if this process is very short. The method of storing of force is actually the way how to use the gravity and reacting force of the ground. Because these two forces are the necessary condition under which we human beings can release force. This principle was fully understood by old masters of Xinyi Liuhe Quan and they very clearly used it in teaching. Its detailed practice is as follows: prior to releasing power in certain movement, first shift the center of gravity mainly onto one leg (which becomes "firm"), then suddenly relax this leg, the body (buttocks) drop down, then immediately tense and press down with the foot, so that the reactive force of the ground is clearly transmitted to the back of the waist (so-called "Supporting Posture"); in this way the process of storing of force has been completed. Of course "Wrapping" cannot be separated from "Stepping Forward" and "Drilling"; here - because of language limitations - they have been described separately, but when actually performed there must not be any pause between them. So-called "Stepping Forward" (Jian) is taking a long step forward, but it also contains an idea of forcing one's way through. This is the method of "Advancing" (Jin Bu). So-called "Drilling" (Zuan) is the movement forward and upward accompanied by release of power. It requires that the head "leads" the force upwards, the neck straightens up, the back pulls up, "Middle Joint" (Zhong Jie, i.e. waist and hips) shifts forward, and in consequence the body "Drills" forwards and upwards; power is also released in the same direction. This is called the method of "Advancing with the Body" (Jin Shen). Releasing power while "Advancing with the Body" and releasing power while "Closing with the Body" (Jin Shen, both methods have identical pronunciation, but first characters are different) are not the same, and usually people confuse one with the other. So-called "Advancing with the Body" is the method of the body "Drilling" upwards, while "Close with the Body" simply means closing in on the opponent. It can be said that if one does not understand the method of "Advancing with the Body", he will not achieve the ability to strike the opponent like "pulling up weeds" (Ba Cao), and will not understand the meaning of "Striking the Opponent is like Kissing (him)" (Da Ren Ru Qin Zui). In practice "Wrapping", "Stepping Forward", "Drilling" cannot be separated; the whole process can be described as follows: first relax the waist and leg ("firm", supporting leg) to drop down the body ¢ press down with the foot so that the reactive force of the ground is transmitted to the waist ¢ simultaneously the "empty" leg (i.e. leg which does not support the body) takes a step forward ¢ the center of gravity shifts forward, head leads upwards, "Middle Joint" pulls up, the body moves forward and upward and hastens the release of power. As we know in Xinyi Liuhe Quan one practices "the Powers of Three Passes and Nine Joints" (San Guan Jiu Jie Jin); once the movements of the body in "Wrapping", "Stepping Forward", "Drilling" have been performed correctly, then "the Powers of Three Passes and Nine Joints" have been linked up, and so-called the "Complete Body Power" (Zheng Jin) has been developed." In Ma Shengli's opinion Guo - Jian - Zuan form basic pattern of collecting and issuing power in Xinyi Liuhe Quan. The order of these three movements/methods differs from that in other writings - Ma lists them as Guo - Jian - Zuan while in case of Dai Family Xinyi, Xingyiquan and Yi Quan the order is Zuan - Guo - Jian. It is important to point out that Ma Shengli's explanation corresponds with Contracting (Shu) and Opening (Zhan) with Tiger Step (Hu Bu, bow step) of Dai Family Xinyi - the basic pattern of releasing power in Dai Family Xinyiquan system. Ma also sees Guo - Jian - Zuan as basic method to release power in Xinyi Liuhe Quan. The main differences are more compact postures and more obvious way of storing in the body (contracting) in Dai Family Xinyiquan which is not so pronounced in Henan Xinyi Liuhe Quan.