Real Shaolin Kung Fu: Shaolin Arm-Through Boxing VCD
Performed and demonstrated by Shi Xinglin
Explained by Shi Deci
Language: Mandarin Chinese
Published by People's Physical Education Publishing House
ISBN 7887210437

Tongbei Quan or back-through boxing, also called Tongbi Quang or arm-through boxing, is one of the schools popular in north China. Due to its long history, tongbei quan boasts of various names in different places, such as the Wuxing (five elements-metal, wood, water, fire and earth), six-combinations, five-monkey, axe-hitch and the Shaolin. Although there are different names, the different styles of Tongbei Quan are all based on the same boxing theory and have the same origin.

Originally Tongbei did not refer to a school of boxing but to a way of exercise. Tong (through) means to pass through and reach, Bei (back) means the human back. When the exercises are done, power is generated from the back to pass through the shoulders and then reach the arms. In this way, heavy blows can be delivered at the arm's length to control the opponent. Tongbei Quan emphasizes the combination of inner core and outward application. Back-through boxing takes the five elements of traditional Chinese philosophy as its basic theory.