Tóngzigōng

The physical exercise known as Virgin Boy Gong (Tóngzigōng 童子功) is a form of qigong exercise stressing flexibility. This art form is part of the curriculum of Shaolin Kung fu. It is very rare to find masters, however, this is one of the basics that is learned at the Shaolin Temple, and is learned very early.

"While some Shaolin masters also practiced “Tongzigong”, it is generally acknowledged as a Taoist art, and was important in Wudang Kungfu. The Shaolin grandmaster, Pak Mei, who was a Taoist priest although Shaolin was generally Buddhist in tradition, was famous for “Tongzigong”. “Tongzigong” was also generally passed down by words of mouth." - http://wongkk.com/answers/ans02a/may02-1.html

Characteristics of the style are the ability to be able to do varying types of flips, rolls, falls, jumps, and other Shaolin techniques. In order to do these styles, students must be very athletic, strong, and flexible. To achieve this peak of physique, young students are conditioned regularly and vigorously. Students must have great flexibility, so much so, in fact, that students are almost exclusively young children. "Tong Zi Gong" often translates in Chinese as "Child Kung-fu".

Not only is Tongzigong a style of flexibility, it is a style of strength. It is also meant to get advantage over your opponent by doing a variety of flips, tumbles, falls, jumps, dodges and sweeps. This variety of techniques, while complex, are practiced quickly and with impeccable style. The sweeps used by Shaolin monks often resemble modern break dancing moves. An example is seen in a trademark Shaolin sweep: the student spinning, on his head, whirls his legs in a circle at a constant level, knocking an opponent's legs out from under her. Others include hooks, spins, and ankle- or shin-level kicks at the opponent, using leverage, speed, and the opponent's own weight against her. Although the sweeps are made to bring an opponent to the ground while the student is, the sweeps take specific advantage of an opponent whose feet are not firmly connected to the earth.

Tóngzigōng is a flexibility-oriented style. Students practice a variety of stretches that build strength and take practice.

One reason to practice Tóngzigōng is for flexibility, in which there are a variety of very difficult postures, many that can only be done with, most importantly, the flexibility like that of a young child. Because of this, the art must be learned from a young age. Other parts of Tóngzigōng involve strength and the manipulation of Qi; this includes breaking of stones with various parts of the body. Another part is the ability to make a piece of hanging cloth move without touching it, but merely by pushing one's hands in the direction of the cloth; experienced artists are able make a noticeable bubble on the cloth.

There are very few masters of this highly required but difficult technique of Shaolin Kung fu. Modern day practitioners of this rare art include Shi De Li, the current abbot of the Shaolin Temple Da Mo Martial Arts Academy, where he teaches Tóngzigōng. Tóngzigōng is a style in which there is only one master for each generation, and De Li is the current master. Masters of this style should not marry, otherwise it is said they will lose some of their ability.