Biography of Dong Yingjie (董英傑)
Dong Yingjie (董英傑, 1897–1961) was one of the most influential masters of modern Yang-style Taijiquan, known for his deep study with Yang Chengfu, his training in Yang small frame under Yang Shaohou, and his internal development through Wu/Hao-style Taiji under Li Baoyu (李寶玉). He played a decisive role in shaping the Yang Taijiquan practiced in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. His writings — especially Taiji Boxing Explained (太極拳釋義) — remain foundational texts in Taijiquan theory and practice.
Dong Yingjie's influence is essential for understanding the Shanghai-based Taijiquan tradition that later shaped Yue Huanzhi, Tian Zhaolin, Fu Qinglong, and ultimately the Taijiquan taught within Taoist-Lifestyle.
Training and Teachers — Yang Large Frame, Yang Small Frame, Wu/Hao Internal Method
Dong Yingjie trained in multiple Taijiquan systems that together created his characteristic synthesis:
Early Training (Hebei Province)
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Born 8 November 1897 in Renxian/Renze, Hebei (often misreported as 1898).
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First studied martial arts with Liu Yingzhou (劉瀛洲), learning Sanhuang Paochui and foundational internal strength methods.
Yang-Style Lineage
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Li Zengkui (李增魁) — connected to Yang Zhaolin, eldest grandson of Yang Luchan; Dong studied Yang-style form and structure.
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Yang Chengfu (楊澄甫) — Dong became one of his principal disciples and served as assistant instructor during Yang’s major teaching period (1920s–1930s).
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Yang Shaohou (楊少侯) — Dong trained Yang small-frame Taijiquan, characteristic of fast, compact internal work.
Wu/Hao-Style Influence
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Li Baoyu / Li Xiangyuan (李寶玉 / 李香遠) — disciple of Hao Weizhen (郝為真); Dong lived and trained with Li, learning the refined internal methods of Wu/Hao-style Taijiquan (small/middle frame, subtle internal mechanics).
This combination — Yang large frame + Yang small frame + Wu/Hao internal structure — became the hallmark of Dong Yingjie’s Taijiquan and influenced generations after him.
Early Career and Reputation
The Nanjing Challenge Match
In the early 1930s, Dong won a well-recorded public challenge match in Nanjing against a foreign boxer (often described as British).
The victory brought him national recognition and the name “Yingjie” (英傑) — meaning heroic and outstanding one.
Work with Yang Chengfu
Dong assisted Yang Chengfu in teaching in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. He contributed material to Yang’s writings, including Taijiquan Shiyongfa (太極拳使用法).
These experiences established Dong as one of the major transmitters of the “modern” Yang long form.
Expansion to South China, Hong Kong, and Macau
After Yang Chengfu’s death, Dong became instrumental in spreading Taijiquan to southern China:
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1930s – Guangzhou: taught widely and helped establish Yang-style Taijiquan in the region.
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1936 – Hong Kong: founded the Dong Ying Kit Tai Chi Chuan Gymnasium, one of Hong Kong’s earliest major Taijiquan schools.
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1939–1945 – Macau: relocated during wartime; further developed Dong-style Fast Form (英傑快拳) and taught Taiji, push-hands, and weapons.
Post-war, his family expanded the school network throughout Asia.
Teaching Systems and Written Works
1. Dong-Style Taijiquan (董氏太極拳)
A synthesis of:
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Yang large frame
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Yang small frame
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Wu/Hao internal frame
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Practical martial applications
It includes:
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Traditional Long Form (Yang-derived)
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Yingjie Fast Form — a powerful fast/slow sequence for martial development
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Sword, Saber, Spear routines
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Push-hands methods
2. Taiji Boxing Explained (太極拳釋義, 1948)
Dong’s most famous "red" book, still widely studied today, contains:
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expositions on Taiji Classics
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internal training principles
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the long form in photos
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fast form and martial applications
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weapons theory
It is one of the most authoritative written sources on Yang-style Taijiquan.
Influence on the Shanghai Tradition
Dong befriended and taught Yue Huanzhi and was a fellow practitioner of Tian Zhaolin. His technical influence was extremely strong in Shanghai, where:
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Yang-style Taijiquan was evolving,
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small-frame and Wu/Hao ideas were circulating,
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and teachers like Tian and Yue practiced in the same internal culture shaped by Dong’s synthesis.
Thus, the Taijiquan transmitted to Fu Qinglong — and later to Prof. dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen — carries clear structural elements traceable to Dong Yingjie’s innovations.
Lineage and Disciples
Dong Yingjie’s Taijiquan lineage continues through:
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Tung Huling (董虎嶺) — eldest son; major transmitter in Asia and the U.S.
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Tung Kai Ying / Tung Chen Wei (董繼英) — grandson; internationally recognised teacher.
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Dong Zengchen (董增辰) — grandson; influential in global Dong-style communities.
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Dong Jasmine (董茉莉) — daughter; taught in Hong Kong and abroad.
Today, Dong-style Taijiquan is practiced worldwide, with large communities in Asia, Europe, and North America. Alex Dong is the most prolific current transmitter.
Connection to Taoist-Lifestyle Lineage
A predecessor in the direct teacher line of Fu Qinglong and Prof. dr. Dan K.J. Vercammen, Dong Yingjie’s work shaped the entire technical landscape of:
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Shanghai Yang-style Taijiquan,
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the blending of large/small frames,
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internal method (neigong–neijin),
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and martial function.
This environment produced the Taijiquan of Tian Zhaolin, Yue Huanzhi, and later Fu Qinglong, who transmitted the method to Dan Vercammen.
Dong Yingjie is therefore an essential historical pillar in the Taiji lineage preserved within Taoist-Lifestyle.
Acknowledgment of Gratitude
Taoist-Lifestyle.Com honors Dong Yingjie (董英傑) as one of the key figures in the evolution of modern Yang-style Taijiquan. His synthesis of lineages, his technical clarity, and his written legacy continue to support the internal principles that guide Taijiquan practice within the Taoist-Lifestyle Academy today.
Faq
What is Taijiquan / Tai Chi?
Taijiquan (Tai Chi) is a Chinese martial art that took shape in northern China in the late 1800s, developed especially through the Yang and Wŭ families. It later came to reflect taiji philosophy (yin–yang) alongside fighting skill. In the 1900s, simplified “taiji gymnastics” (taijicao) spread widely, but this is not the same as traditional taijiquan and lacks many of its original martial and training characteristics.