Tong Bei Quan

          METHODOLOGY

Tongbeiquan practice can be broken down into 8 key aspects:

1. Huo Fa (Mobility Methods)

These are conditioning exercises that develop flexibility and strength across the various parts of the body. These include the various joints (wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees ..etc) and the body frame itself with particular focus on the back, the rib cage and the waist.

This stage is the most important, since without the right body development, some of the techniques and methods of Tongbeiquan cannot be done properly and most importantly the power generation will be lacking. Therefore depending on the pre-condition of individual students and their progress thereof, this stage itself can take quite some time (up to 3 years). Many of the exercises are also techniques/methods, or directly associated with techniques.

The most identifiable mobility methods are those with regards to the shoulder and back, here the tendons, ligaments and muscles are stretched and strengthened. Although known for generating power from the back, when we practice tongbequan at the more advanced levels, those power bursts require the smallest of movement, so it does not mean that the back is waving in huge motions, but that it is co-ordinated, flexible and strong enough to allow power to pass, generate momentum and burst out. Thus the practice of these methods cannot be understated.

• Zhong Jia Jian - Stretching the Shoulder

• Fan Jia Jian - Opposite Stretching the shoulder

• Shang Jia Jian - Upper Stretching Shoulder

• Zheng Huobi - Forward rotating arms

• Fan Huobi - Backward rotating arms

• Feng Lun - Windmill rotations

• Heng Huobi - Horizontal Swings

• Jiao Cha Huobi - Crossing Swings

• You Dai - Overhead folding swing

• Yao Shen - Body turning with swings

• Bai Yao - Waist Swings

• Ce Yao - Stretch and Turn Waist

• He Shou - Joint Swings

• Kai Shou - Opening Swings

• Nei Xuan Wan - Inwards wrists

• Wai Xuan Wan - Outward wrists

• Ying Shou Wan - Vertical wrists

• Kan Shou Wan - Horizontal wrists

• Chun Kua - Rising and sinking hips

• Huan Kua - Shifting hips

• Zun Huo Xi - Knee rotations

• Yao Tui Fa - Swinging legs

There are many others but the above are some of the ones we most regularly practice.

 

The exercises and the understanding of Power generation - Huan Jing (Exchanging Power) - soft, pliable and of varying speeds, Fa Jing (Exerting Power) - explosions of power at will at the appropriate time. As well as the Lianhuan aspect (continuity and linking Development) form the core or the Gong Fu of Tongbeiquan

 

3. Dan Cao Fa (Individual Techniques)

Traditionally, in Tongbeiquan we refer to 108 Cao Fa (36 Tian Gang and 72 Di Sha). However, these do not refer to simply 108 techniques, but rather 108 principle methods on which there are many variations to each (these can be when combined with footwork, or for different ranges, angles or combinations) .

The 108, methods include the so called 5 Element Palms (Wu Xing Zhang):

• Shuai Zhang - Throwing Palms

• Pai Zhang - Patting Palms

• Chuan Zhang - Thrusting Palms

• Pi Zhang - Splitting Palms

• Zhuan Zhang - Drilling Palms (although Zhuan is applied more for Fist Strike)

The 108 methods, include the famous hands of Tongbeiquan including:

• Yin Shou - Enticing/Leading Hands

• Yun Shou - Cloud Hands

• Quan Shou - Circular Hands

• Zhan Shou - Chopping Hands

• Dan Shou - Brushing Hands

• Chuan Shou - Piercing Hands

The 108 methods, include the Continuos canons (Lianhuan Pao) of Tongbeiquan including:

• Pi Shan Pao - Splitting Mountain Cannon

• Chuan Xin Pao - Piercing Hard Cannnon

• Wu Hua Pao - 5 Flowers Cannon

• Qi Xing Pao - 7 Stars Cannon

The 108 methods, include the skillful methods of Tongbeiquan including:

• Ye li Cang Hua - Flower hidden in the Leaf

• Xian Ren Zhi Lu - Immortal Fairy points the path

• Bai He Liang Chi - White Crane Spreads Wings

• Yuan Hou Ru Dong - Apes enter Cave

• Bai She Du Xin - White Snake Expels Poison

• Fei Hu Lan Lu - Flying Tiger Blocks the Path

• Li Mao Pu Shu - Wild Cat Pounces on Mouse

The 108 methods, include the 4 Mountains of Tongbeiquan:

• Pi Shan - Splitting Mountian

• Tiao Shan - Lifting Mountian

• Jiao Shan - Disturb Moutain

• Tui Shan - Push Mountain

Many Tongbeiquan practitioners spend a lifetime only mastering the 108 Cao Fa since it contains such depth and requires such great skill to master. In Tongbeiquan the practice of forms is not as important as the Cao Fa.

As an example of the sub methods, if we take the Pi Shan (Splitting Mountain) it can have a multitude of variations such as relating to footwork: Shan Bu Pi Shan (Flashin Step Split Mountain) and Gen Bu Pi Shan (Following Step Split Mountain) or with some basic hands like Yin Shou Pi Shan (Enticing hand split Mountain) or by changing angles such as Fan Pi Shan (Turning Split Mountain) and by combination like Pi Li Cang Hua (Split Moutain find the hidden Flower) and many others.

As a further example Zhan Shou (Chopping Hands), could be practiced as Xing Bu Zhan Shou (Moving step Chopping Hands), Ti Xi Bu Zhan Shou (Lifting Step Chopping Hands) and as combinations such as across the various plains Heng Zhan Shou (Horizontal Chopping Hands) or in combination such as Chuan Zhang Zhan Shou (Thrust Palm Chopping Hands).

The wonder of Tongbeiquan is found within the 108 Cao Fa, as long as the basic exercises and appropriate flexibility and power have been developed, these 108 Cao Fa are the heart of Tongbeiquan.

4. Lian Cao Fa (Linked Techniques)

These are natural extensions to the Cao Fa. Basically after understanding each Cao Fa and its variations, these are now combined with others forming links or chains of simultaneous attack and defence. Some of this practice may have already commenced during the process of practicing the Dan Cao Fa. These are sometimes short and at other times long. The intention is not define the exact ones to practice (although there are some traditionally taught), in as much as developing the ability to pick, mix and change the Cao Fa to suit conditions. Thus this is an important stage in the development of combat abilities with the Tongbeiquan skills.

5. Lian Tangzi (Linked Sequences/Forms)

Once the Cao Fa have been mastered and the combination abilities achieved, the practice of forms may commence. The practice of forms is not so important in Tongbeiquan, in ancient times there are only a few handsets in existance these are Mingtangquan, Lao Jiazi (Old Framework) and Chaiquan (Pull apart boxing). Chaiquan had many variations since each generation would change modify and add according to their experiences. Many great Tongbeiquan masters have existed and lived without ever having studied forms.

The Old Qi Pai sets practiced include:

• Ming Tang Quan

• Lao Jiazi (Old Frame)

• Chai Quan (Pulled Apart Boxing)

Additionally from Zhang Ce descendants, there is

• Ye Ma Gui Chu (Wild Horse Returns to Stables)

Also from Xiu Jianchi descendants, there are

• Xiao Lianhuan (Small Continuous)

• Da Lianhuan (Large Continuous)

• Tongbei Gong (Tongbei Skill)

• Tongbei Zhang (Tongbei Palm)

• Tongbei Quan (Tongbei Boxing)

• Yuan Peng Qi Shi (Ape Bird Mysterious Postures)

• Tongbei Qi Shi (Tongbei Mysterious Postures - also known as 54 Hands)

6. San Shou (Combat)

The development of combat commences only once the correct principles have been mastered. This is a long and gradual process but once the awareness is made the abilities are almost instant. There are many 2-man drills and combat based methods that trained from early on but these would only give a superficial understanding. Once the Cao Fa have been mastered to an appropriate level, then the real skills can be obtained. Although it must also be noted that this does not require all 108 Cao Fa. In fact just a few Tongbeiquan technques can be combined into an effective combat system.

The approach with Combat is thus one of consolidated with the various techniques and methods practices. Applications are introduced, drills are undertaken and some free hand combat practiced. However, it is equally important not to over rely on the techniques as one progresses or the ability to gain further insight and skills could be hampered by the combat emphasis of only a few techniques.

Tongbeiquan is however deadly practical and its techniques renowned in China as many of its Masters were undefeated or held in high regards for their combat skills. This is mainly because every method is directly combate applicable and the angles allow for very agressive penetrating attacks whilst simultaneously maintaining defense.

7. Weapons

Essentially there are two key weapons in Tongbeiquan

• Spear (Often practised as the Staff, spearhead removed)

• Broadsword

Similar to the process of mastering the fists, the weapons are also based on key techniques which are mastered in parts, then in continual linkages and sometimes as forms.

8. Qigong (Internal Practice)

Throughout there are methods of Standing Posture (which are actually moving) and the practice of Ming Tang Quan is also considered one of developing internal strength. In Tongbeiquan, one practices dynamic power development supported by Qigong internal skills.