TONG BEI CHUAN

TONG BEI or Through-the-Back Boxing has many branches. It is also an extremely influential style throughout the Kung Fu world. One might even say that Tong-Bei Jin (Through Back Energy) is an attribute of each and every style of Kung Fu - just like Reeling Silk Energy. This is another branch of this family. Please remember, though, it is almost impossible at this time to know which is the "authentic" or "original" style. What is important, though, is that Tong Bei has much to offer to any interested WuShu practitioner. All the demonstrations are by Zhao Jian-Guo, student of Zhang Ce one of Tong Bei's top teachers.

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Pai-Da Cao-Fa.
Many patterns for bag training with single and double palms. As in Pigua the training of the striking limbs is essential to get the specific characteristics of the style. Applications of the different strikes are also shown. This work is level one, not really iron palm but an excellent training for that .

Cao-Zhuang Fa.
This is a series of actions against any upright pole, such the tree trunk used for the exercise. Pole ( or as it is often translated "pile") work can be very useful because there are body strikes impossible to practice on the table top level one might use for Iron Palm. Like boxing bag work (which can easily substitute for some of the exercises) pole work allows a whole new series of strikes and skills.

Chai Quan.
A Tong Bei set with alternating hands and sections of Jin Bu interspersed with stationary sections. A good beginning fist from the Tong Bei repertoire but not an easy fist. Loose, fast, with many changes .

Xiao Lian-Huan.
A very nice set of intermediate length. How to describe Tong Bei? It is definitely a Northern Style with wide ranging arms and loose, almost elegant delivery. Also, in this set, there are just open running sequences where the practitioner covers a whole lot of ground. Probably the best description of the flavor would be a cross between Mantis and PiGua is you can imagine that. If you can't you need to expose yourself to more styles and more information.

Da Lian-Huan.
A major set from this branch of Tong Bei. Loose, powerful, fast, covering ground like a horse in its corral. A nice set to our eyes with difficult and flexible moves and truly representative of Long Fist energy.

Ying-Di Shi-Er Lian-Quan.
This VCD is solely applications with no form. Tong Bei, traditionally, is a style with a lot of fighting applications. As we see with Tzu Ran, Cjuo Jiao, Pi Gua and others there are actually a lot of style mantaining their fighting usage. These are mostly fist arts with emphasis on downward and upward cutting strike and combinations that can only be called "trapping" where the strike leads to a control or check and another strike. Single practices are also given.

Po-Men San-Shi-Er Zhang-Fa.
This VCD really lives up to its name. It is Tong Bei's specific training on Breaking open the door and entering with palm actions. Each movement is done as a separate series of actions often almost at a run. These attacking patterns accomplish two things at least, the first is that they engage the opponent and the second is that enter his door before laying down a strike (generally a palm action). This would be an excellent disk for partners to use as a practice structure . This is a Double VCD

Qun-Zhan Shi-Ba Fa.
A more advanced level of "basics" with combinations of arms and leg movements, mostly based on large circles and snapping strikes centering around multiple opponents. Each series is broken down. To our mind these intermediate exercises are essential to the understanding of a particular style. Those long sequences we now know as "forms" were probably developed from stringing together such sequences.
This is a Double VCD

Xin-YiLiu-Shi-Ba Fa.
Four VCDs all dedicated to the application of the Tong Bei style. Many gambits here. Even more than some of the demonstrations, this VCD shows Tong Bei's particular use of Yin and Yang. Almost a platitude when describing all Chinese Martial Arts this series of examples beautifully shows the idea of "one hand clear and one hidden" with many and varied changes penetrating but utilizing the Yin/Yang of both hands changing one after the other and straight mixed with round. Practice versions are also shown for group and individual practice. Tong Bei's most highly guarded set for this branch. This is a 4 VCD set.