Jochen Wolfgramm
19-07-2005, 15:08
A Brief Introduction to Tongbeiquan
Tongbei is generally considered to be one of the oldest Chinese martial arts in existence. When and how Tongbei was developed is unclear, but the name of the style can be found within historical records dating back to the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). For centuries, the style of Tongbeiquan was passed on in Hebei province. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Tongbei became the most treasured martial art of the Muslim community residing in the imperial capital of Beijing.
The style of Tongbei as practiced by the Beijing Muslims was called Baiyuan Tongbei. Baiyuan means "White Gibbon", because the style imitates the long arm movements of the ape. Tongbei means "Connecting Back", the practitioner generates his power from the legs and brings this power to his arms by connecting his back. Hence, Baiyuan Tongbeiquan is a style which emphasizes long arm techniques and body structure to develop connected power.
The Chinese Muslims were warriors of renown. The fierce fighting abilities of the Islamic citizens were so feared and infamous that, according to Qing Dynastic Law, three armed Muslims walking together are punishable by death. The Muslim style of Baiyuan Tongbei is an extremely vicious, aggressive martial art, relying on fast movements, brutal techniques and crisp power.
In the past, Baiyuan Tongbei was considered a secret martial art and was only taught to the Hui minority (those with Arabian blood or followers of the Muslim faith). Only after the establishment of the Republic did the style accept non-Hui students. Grandmaster Zhang Guizeng is one of the first Han-Chinese people to inherit the complete system of Muslim Style Baiyuan Tongbei. Grandmaster Zhang has many students, and one of his top-ranking disciples is Master Zhang Xinbin.
Master Zhang Xinbin
Master Zhang was born in Beijing in the year 1954. In his late teens, he became a student of Master Zhang Guizeng and started his training in Baiyuan Tongbei. In addition to Master Zhang Guizeng's teachings, he also studied Chinese wrestling from Master Yang Guozhen, pushing hands from Master Jiang Qimin and Yiquan from Masters Li Jianyu and Yu Yongnian. Master Zhang is the Chief Instructor of the Beijing People's Martial Arts Association and Vice-President of the Beijing Traditional Muslim Martial Arts Association. He is known for his excellent methods of building martial power and also for his superb fighting skills.
Seminar in the Netherlands
I am happy to announce that Master Zhang Xinbin will be conducting Tongbei workshops at the Hong Ying Chinese Martial Arts School in Leiden, the Netherlands from 15 - 25 August 2005. Master Zhang will be teaching various skills from the Tongbei system, including Tongbei Power Generation Methods, Tongbei Fighting Applications and Double-Handed Sword.
For more information please contact:
Hong Ying School of Chinese Martial Arts
Koppenhinksteeg 4
Leiden, Holland
Tel 0031 623 901 055
email:hongyingkungfu@yahoo.com
Tongbei is generally considered to be one of the oldest Chinese martial arts in existence. When and how Tongbei was developed is unclear, but the name of the style can be found within historical records dating back to the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty (960–1127). For centuries, the style of Tongbeiquan was passed on in Hebei province. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Tongbei became the most treasured martial art of the Muslim community residing in the imperial capital of Beijing.
The style of Tongbei as practiced by the Beijing Muslims was called Baiyuan Tongbei. Baiyuan means "White Gibbon", because the style imitates the long arm movements of the ape. Tongbei means "Connecting Back", the practitioner generates his power from the legs and brings this power to his arms by connecting his back. Hence, Baiyuan Tongbeiquan is a style which emphasizes long arm techniques and body structure to develop connected power.
The Chinese Muslims were warriors of renown. The fierce fighting abilities of the Islamic citizens were so feared and infamous that, according to Qing Dynastic Law, three armed Muslims walking together are punishable by death. The Muslim style of Baiyuan Tongbei is an extremely vicious, aggressive martial art, relying on fast movements, brutal techniques and crisp power.
In the past, Baiyuan Tongbei was considered a secret martial art and was only taught to the Hui minority (those with Arabian blood or followers of the Muslim faith). Only after the establishment of the Republic did the style accept non-Hui students. Grandmaster Zhang Guizeng is one of the first Han-Chinese people to inherit the complete system of Muslim Style Baiyuan Tongbei. Grandmaster Zhang has many students, and one of his top-ranking disciples is Master Zhang Xinbin.
Master Zhang Xinbin
Master Zhang was born in Beijing in the year 1954. In his late teens, he became a student of Master Zhang Guizeng and started his training in Baiyuan Tongbei. In addition to Master Zhang Guizeng's teachings, he also studied Chinese wrestling from Master Yang Guozhen, pushing hands from Master Jiang Qimin and Yiquan from Masters Li Jianyu and Yu Yongnian. Master Zhang is the Chief Instructor of the Beijing People's Martial Arts Association and Vice-President of the Beijing Traditional Muslim Martial Arts Association. He is known for his excellent methods of building martial power and also for his superb fighting skills.
Seminar in the Netherlands
I am happy to announce that Master Zhang Xinbin will be conducting Tongbei workshops at the Hong Ying Chinese Martial Arts School in Leiden, the Netherlands from 15 - 25 August 2005. Master Zhang will be teaching various skills from the Tongbei system, including Tongbei Power Generation Methods, Tongbei Fighting Applications and Double-Handed Sword.
For more information please contact:
Hong Ying School of Chinese Martial Arts
Koppenhinksteeg 4
Leiden, Holland
Tel 0031 623 901 055
email:hongyingkungfu@yahoo.com