Tong Bei (Through the Back) Style
Tong Bei is starting to attract attention world wide. And rightly so. A complex, beautiful yet practical style it seems able to produce fighters with little trouble and adherents without effort.We've finally gathered enough material to have a Tong Bei page.We also have some other resources you will see below. Oh, and we just might have a friend who will be publishing an important work in ENGLISH on this style.
What we particularly like about Tong Bei is the clever overlap of "warm ups" and basics. One of the best ways to encourage people to "loosen up" is to tell them they are just arming up. Poof! All that tense, hurried energy just vanishes.
Zhao Ya Jun is a dynamic and experienced practitioner of the Tong Bei style. His movements are precise and clear. Many Tong Bei exercises could be applied to any style of martial arts with ease and profit.
VCDs: Chi Family TB 5 Element TB White Ape TB Tong Bei Quan What is the difference between Pigua and Tong Bei? TB English book
New Format: DVD#22022 Tong Bei Quan
36 essential moves
Narration and Demosntration by Jack Yan,
Comes with 64 page booklet, good photos, clear instruction
$29.95, DVD 60+ minutes
With instructions in English and a good breakdown of this well-constructed beginner's form, we have to call this DVD the first thorough English presentation of Tong Bei Boxing. Well-written and clear (Jack Yan having a Master's Degree in English and 22 years of English language instructional experience) this DVD gives a solid presentation not only of a Tong Bei form but also basic drills and the all-important Tong Bei warm ups (you will never feel your shoulders more relaxed).In addition, this DVD comes with a 64 page detailed text. Instructor Yan shows the key movements of Five Element Tong Bei, relatively rare outside China, which in this case have the characteristics of Throw, Thread, Arm, Slap and Drill. Offsetting the very circular moves similar to PiGua—which it may have absorbed— Tong Bei also specializes in fast, straight and snappy piercing strikes.
More from blog:
Jack Yan, martial artist, teacher and musician, is a disciple of the world-famous Chen Zheng Lei and also an obvious expert in TBQ, demonstrates a key 36 move form derived from the classical art. Tong Bei has the distinction of being the “back up style” of many practitioners with front styles like Tai Chi or Bagua. Master teachers like Wang Pei Sheng (Wu style Tai Chi), Luo Jin Hua (Jiang style Bagua Zhang) and many other famous instructors share a background in TBQ. A secret style for a number of centuries, Tong Bei encourages loose arms, whipping and snapping strikes, and soft but explosive power.
DVD#24280 Shaolin Arm Through the Back Actual Combat
by Shi De Yang
Single DVD, English subtitled, 37 minutes, $17.95
Tong Bei is a big and famous style, often ferocious too. It may go back as far and the Shaolin period. It may go back even further. This short form is the essence of the Shaolin version of this style. There are distinct differences here. Shaolin Tong Bei is not really a Long Fist method, more Middle Fist. It has a strong emphasis on Yang power. It's movements blend in with the classic Shaolin forms. The applications for this form are scattered through the DVD and interspersed with the breakdowns. There is also a section where Shi De Yang leads a number of other Shaolin students through the form. Our only gripe here is that Shaolin usage demonstrations overemphasize the ancient methods and actually show applications which, while the fit the form, are hardly creditable. At one point and assistant punches and Shi De Yang punches his punch face on. There is a strong attempt to show Shaolin as an ancient and therefore somewhat primitive style. Even if this were true this is not the Shaolin of fame without the benefit of centuries of development. Not only are the applications unsophisticated but they seem impractical in the extreme and do little to reflect on what really made Shaolin such a repository of martial knowledge. NOTE: The bonus here is an enclosed booklet showing the form in illustrations and describing it in English and Chinese. A neat package.
DVD#25122A Zhao Ya Jun Tong Bei Training #1
Each DVD in this series can stand alone. See a clip from this series
"Tong Bi Training Exercises with Master Zhao Ya Jun, from Beijing and the Zhonghua Wushu Wuxing Tongbiquan Association. This well-organized, comprehensive early morning practice for loosening and getting structurally connected can benefit anyone no matter what style or system you focus on. Master Zhao Ya Jun is very clear on what he’s doing in this comprehensive set exercises from the Tong Bi Quan style of martial arts. Tong Bi is like a pre-Chen style Taijiquan that emphasizes developing power on the back and using the arms more efficiently. In this three-DVD set, Master Zhao leads single-move drills that loosen the upper body and strengthen the lower. Follow along a few minutes, or a whole hour, at a time, as simple single moves progress to more complex: from loosening wrist joints, elbows, shoulders, hips, etc. to whole-body combinations. Throughout, Master Zhao gives numerous pointers on how to perform the moves more precisely and he demonstrates applications. The set also includes an excellent translation by Master David Leung who participates with Master Zhao in demonstrating moves and explaining details. Videotaped at the Tian Lun Hotel in San Qing Shan, Jiangxi Province, China."
Lengths: 59 min., 85 min., and 75 min., totaling nearly 4 hours
DVD#25122B Zhao Ya Jun Tong Bei Training #2
Each DVD in this series can stand alone.
Tong Bi Training Exercises with Master Zhao Ya Jun, from Beijing and the Zhonghua Wushu Wuxing Tongbiquan Association. This well-organized, comprehensive early morning practice for loosening and getting structurally connected can benefit anyone no matter what style or system you focus on. Master Zhao Ya Jun is very clear on what he’s doing in this comprehensive set exercises from the Tong Bi Quan style of martial arts. Tong Bi is like a pre-Chen style Taijiquan that emphasizes developing power on the back and using the arms more efficiently. In this three-DVD set, Master Zhao leads single-move drills that loosen the upper body and strengthen the lower. Follow along a few minutes, or a whole hour, at a time, as simple single moves progress to more complex: from loosening wrist joints, elbows, shoulders, hips, etc. to whole-body combinations. Throughout, Master Zhao gives numerous pointers on how to perform the moves more precisely and he demonstrates applications. The set also includes an excellent translation by Master David Leung who participates with Master Zhao in demonstrating moves and explaining details. Videotaped at the Tian Lun Hotel in San Qing Shan, Jiangxi Province, China. Lengths: 59 min., 85 min., and 75 min., totaling nearly 4 hours:
DVD#25122C Zhao Ya Jun Tong Bei Training #3
Each DVD in this series can stand alone.
Tong Bi Training Exercises with Master Zhao Ya Jun, from Beijing and the Zhonghua Wushu Wuxing Tongbiquan Association. This well-organized, comprehensive early morning practice for loosening and getting structurally connected can benefit anyone no matter what style or system you focus on. Master Zhao Ya Jun is very clear on what he’s doing in this comprehensive set exercises from the Tong Bi Quan style of martial arts. Tong Bi is like a pre-Chen style Taijiquan that emphasizes developing power on the back and using the arms more efficiently. In this three-DVD set, Master Zhao leads single-move drills that loosen the upper body and strengthen the lower. Follow along a few minutes, or a whole hour, at a time, as simple single moves progress to more complex: from loosening wrist joints, elbows, shoulders, hips, etc. to whole-body combinations. Throughout, Master Zhao gives numerous pointers on how to perform the moves more precisely and he demonstrates applications. The set also includes an excellent translation by Master David Leung who participates with Master Zhao in demonstrating moves and explaining details. Videotaped at the Tian Lun Hotel in San Qing Shan, Jiangxi Province, China.
Lengths: 59 min., 85 min., and 75 min., totaling nearly 4 hours: Regular price $90.00 PLUM prices for all three, $81.00
DVD#25127 Wu Mao Gui Lecture
Length-52:37 min. $24.95
Master Wu discusses
the importance of precision in executing form and the difference
between "he" tong bei quan and "tongbiquan"
and other internal martial arts. He shares his personal history
and how he started martial arts as a boy and how after years of
training he realized what it is to be internal and soft.
Translation
by his disciple Michael Belliveau.
DVD #25106 On Being a Predator
George Xu :Chen Tai Chi lecture
George Xu explains his theory of predator energy used in the practice of Chen Tai Chi but really in any Chinese martial arts. This is an extension of his concept expounded some years ago in print on "animal" qualities well distinguished from "animal imitation" boxing where you try to look like the animal. In this lecture, admittedly sometimes difficult to hear and with a little break up, George Xu lists his eight attributes for practice. His ideas are really important and worth a number of viewing. One of the best explanations of what is missing from so much contemporary practice. You'll go back to this one over and over.
Notes on this instructor...
About 60 Minutes
DVD #25120 & 21
China Camp '07 Form Demonstration
with various artists
Forty-six martial artists from several disciplines and locations in China, USA, Italy, Germany, Norway, and Denmark perform their forms in this prestigious event. Names and styles are provided in titles of each performance, so you get to know who these accomplished martial artists are.
See the list below of demonstrators in this series (including Tong Bei)
#1 about 69 Minutes #2 about 61 Minutes
see clipSome people might say that Shaolin TongBei looks too much like Shaolin and not enough like Tong Bei. This
#10584 Shaolin Small
Through-the-Back Form #1.About 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles, Click Picture.
This is a good example that Shaolin is actually a Middle Fist and not a Long Fist though it has some characteristics of the latter. The form combines Xiao and Da Hong styles and some Monkey Fist. Mostly the concentration is on finger strikes and elbow drops with some Monkey Paw movements employed. Nice moves with an archaic looking use of stances. The set stops as though part way through meaning it can be practiced separately or as a "road" of a larger whole. See later for Tong Bei #2. "Edited" by SuXi and demonstrated by Shi DeYang.
#10612
Shaolin
NanYuan Big Tong Bei #1
#10613 Shaolin NanYuan Big Tong Bei #2
A relatively short set with some fast Chin Nah moves. Jumping body turns and direction changes mix with some tight hands and the occasional long arm motion. Cross hands begin and end the form with could be linked to the other forms in this series. Demonstrated by Shi DeYang
About 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10614 Shaolin NanYuan Big Tong Bei #3
A short set but with a different series of movements than the other, non Nan Yuan, Tong Bei forms. Right from the first spinning crescent kick a number of angles are introduced that spin the body and off set attacks. Quick changes from one side of the body to the other with the typical transition stances that are distinctive to Shaolin. Demonstrated by Shi DeYangAbout 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#10617 Shaolin Big Tong Bei Boxing
Not a particularly long form. Faster hands than most. The classic Shaolin poses. More emphasis than general on stance changing and double striking actions. The entire Tong Bei series appears to be at the core of the Hammering Shaolin series but they are rather minor variations on the same theme. This one is more fluid than most. Said to be especially appropriate for teenagers. Demonstrated by Shi DeYang.About 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles
#18001
Shaolin Small
Tong Bei Boxing
Tong
Bei is not only a style but a principle. This "Through the
Back" energy is projected through the shoulder girdle and unifies
both arms was though they were attached to the same pulley. Tong
Bei is an ancient style which has been absorbed into the Shaolin
system and become one of its important forms.
Demonstrated by Shi De Ci.
About 52 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles
