Why I Started to Learn Tongbei Pigua Quan

The following is an extract from various conversations and interviews with Yeung Sifu, carefully consolidated by his students and approved by him. It provides valuable insight into how he began his Kung Fu journey, detailing his relentless Kung Fu quest for mastery. Additionally, it sheds light on his deep appreciation for Tongbei Pigua Quan, as well as his experience with the many other styles he has encountered along the way.

Why I Started to Learn Tongbei Pigua Quan

When I first began practicing Tongbei Pigua in 2005, I knew very little about this renowned Northern boxing style. I was aware that it was promoted during the Republican era by Ma Yintu, the director of education at the Nanjing Central Martial Arts Academy, and that it was often associated with Bajiquan, with the saying "Baji incorporates Pigua, even gods and ghosts fear it!"

However, after just a few lessons, I realized that Tongbei Pigua was quite different from other martial arts I had previously practiced, such as Southern Praying Mantis, Judo, and Taijiquan.

Some key differences I noticed include:

1. A strong emphasis on footwork and power generation with a keen sense of distance.

2. A primarily offensive focus, with a heavy emphasis on striking techniques.

3. The engagement of the entire body, from the feet to the hands, with interconnected and balanced movements on both sides.

4. A greater importance placed on practicing individual techniques rather than forms.

5. A long history with a clear family lineage spanning nearly 300 years.

6. The preservation of a variety of ancient martial skills, including the use of long spears, the Fangtian halberd, whips, clubs, and long blades (Miao Dao).

7. A lineage of renowned masters throughout history, such as Zuo Deshan, Ma Yingtu, Guo Changsheng, Huang Linbiao, and Li Yunbiao, many of whom hailed from Cangzhou.

8. A well-defined training progression, moving from single techniques to partner drills, from forms to free sparring, and from unarmed techniques to weaponry, with each layer building on the previous one.

This last point is perhaps the most important for me as a practitioner.

One of the biggest pitfalls in learning martial arts is a sense of vagueness or ambiguity, but Tongbei Pigua's clear principles and techniques have kept me engaged and motivated to continue practicing for over a decade without interruption.

The distinct structure and progression of this Northern boxing style have been instrumental in my long-term commitment to its mastery.

Here is the version of Mo Mian Quan attributed to Li Yunbiao