Tongbei Quan | 通背拳

Tongbeiquan is also known sometimes as Baiyuan Tongbeiquan (白猿通背拳, White Ape Through the back boxing), is a famous martial art from North China which specializes in large opening and closing movements that rely on the exertion of energy through the body and to the limbs often whipping in power and with continuous actions.

Tongbeiquan has been feared in history for its powerful and highly efficacious combat fighting techniques. Whether long distance or short distance, with specialized striking hands and unique power generating methods, whether striking or wrestling, Tongbeiquan is a no nonsense traditional Chinese Martial Art. The Taiping Institute practices Qi family Tongbeiquan as passed on by Qi Xin and his descendants. 

History and Development of Tongbei Quan

Dissemination of Tongbeiquan

Resultant from the effectiveness of Tongbeiquan in combat many of its practitioners throughout history have been involved in substantial confrontations from military, logistics security and rebellion uprisings. Thus, each generation has contributed greatly to the style and there are a number of key Masters that have especially made great efforts to consolidate the great body of knowledge held within Tongbeiquan. 

Tong bei (通背, through the back) has had many influences and thereby evolved into a few different braches of the style. The two key branches of Tongbei Quan are Qi Pai and Shi Pai. Most of the others are derivatives thereof or are different styles altogether with only the name in common. We present the key lineages and their most representative practitioners below. 

Taiping Tongbeiquan 

Taiping Tongbeiquan is integrated with the Qi Family (Lao & Shao) and Zhang Ce Tongbeiquan. In recent years we have on bi-annual intervals traveled to the Niujie area for Baiyuan Tongbeiquan but have not considered this into the curriculum as yet. Our Tongbeiquan (通背拳) curriculum consists of eight aspects of development. 

1. Huo Fa ( 活法Mobility exercises)

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 tongbeiquan 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 Shan – Body turning with swings Yao Shen – Circular Waist Swings Ce Yao – Stretch and Turn Waist He Shou – Joining 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 – Swinging legs Chuan Tui – circling legs

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

2. Dan Cao Fa (单操法, 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 ( 五行掌, 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 :

• 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 (连环炮, Lianhuan Pao) of Tongbeiquan:

• 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 (四山, Si Shan) 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 (连操法, 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 (连趟子, 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 existence 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. Most forms are attributable to the great effort of GM Xiu Jianchi who systematized all the curriculum and created a specific structured set of forms within that effort.  Many great Tongbeiquan masters have existed and lived to achieve incredible skills without ever having studied forms

Ming Tang Quan 明堂拳 Lao Jiazi (老架子 Old Frame) Chai Quan (拆拳 Pulled Apart Boxing) Ye Ma Gui Chu (野马奔槽Wild Horse Returns to Stables) Xiao Lianhuan (小连环 Small Continuous) Da Lianhuan (大连环 Large Continuous)

Tongbei Gong (通背功 Tongbei Skill) Tongbei Zhang (通背掌 Tongbei Palm) Tongbei Quan (通背拳 Tongbei Boxing) Yuan Peng Qi Shi (猿鹏奇势 Ape Bird Mysterious Postures) Tongbei Qi Shi (通背奇势 Tongbei Mysterious Postures)

6. San Shou (散手, 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 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. Qi Xie (器械, Weapons) 

Essentially there are two key weapons in Tongbeiquan

• Spear
• 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. Qi Gong (气功, Internal Cultivation) 

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.