Chinese martial arts / Kung-Fu Books

Book SynopsisWinner - 2009 Eric Hoffer AwardFinalist - 2009 IP'S Highlighted Title AwardFinalist - 2008 Book of the Year Award by ForeWord MagazineFinalist - 2008 USA Best Book Award Tai Chi Dynamics is intended for intermediate and advanced tai chi students.The author Robert Chuckrow, PhD, is a tai chi practitioner of more than forty years and holds a Ph.D. in experimental physics. He applies logic and basic scientific principles* Anatomy* Physiology* Physics In order to create a deeper understand of * Muscular action* Breathing* Alignment in tai chi movement and push-hands He clarifies, in depth, many perplexing concepts such as correct force" by utilizing detailed explanations, illustrations, and photographs. * Sayings from the tai chi classics are quoted throughout, and exercises are provided to give readers a chance to confirm their understanding.* Over a dozen self-defense applications of the basic Taiji movements are illustrated* The effectiveness and completeness of Taiji as a martial art today is candidly analyzed. * A chapter on Zheng Manqing (Cheng Man-ch'ing) sheds light on Zheng and his students. One chapter deals extensively with aspects of self development from a personal perspective, discusses how doing Taiji correctly is a precursor to spiritual growth, and compares religion, science, and spiritual teachings. A detailed chapter on health, self-massage, and healing discusses fasting (including the author's own experience with a twenty-eight-day fast), differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, and provides exercises and methods of self-massage for head, legs, feet, and back. There is even a section on how to make your own footwear suitable for practicing Taiji. The book includes personal anecdotes and stories and has over one hundred photographs and illustrations drawn by the author.Trade Review...thoughtful, perceptive, open-minded. Robert's book provides Tai Chi practitioners with many fascinating avenues of practical exploration as a way to discover for themselves the truth Robert writes about. -- ...thoughtful, perceptive, open ...if you are interested in T'ai Chi Ch'uan and want to become informed, you should stop reading this review, and run, don't walk, to the book store and purchase Dr. Chuckrow's book. -- ...if you are It is with great pleasure that I recommend this notable work. This book is an important contribution to the body of Tai Chi literature. -- It is with great pleasure that I recommend this notable work. Th Using simple tools of physics...to explain Tai Chi movements makes the healing and martial value of Tai Chi more understanding to the modern mind. -- Using simple tools of physics...to explain Tai C

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Book SynopsisProfound - In Depth - Taijiquan Theory In the last seven centuries, many songs and poems have been composed about Taijiquan. These have played a major role in preserving the knowledge and wisdom of the masters, although in many cases, the identity of the authors and the dates of origin have been lost. As lifelong pursuit, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has translated many of these documents and according to him, believes many are incomplete for reasons relating to: forgotten oral secrets, the original authors personal understanding being too narrowly focused, and many documents that have gone missing could help unify Taijiquan theory. In response, his book Taijiquan Theory of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is an attempt to join the various theories on Taijiquan in one complete text. This book is structured with treaties, songs, and poems, followed by the original Chinese text and interpretations of the passages. Contents include Regulating the body, breath, mind, Qi & spirit Analysis of Jin, pushing hands and sparring Taijiquan’s long range and short range fighting strategies The relationship of Jin and Qi The unification of the internal Qi and external physical manifestations of Qi "Based upon my personal background and understanding, I have tried my best to compile the Taijiquan Theory and practice concepts in this book. I have attempted to make this effort as complete as possible”. —Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming This second edition includes Updated pīnyīn that includes diacritical tonal marks (for proper pronunciation of Chinese words). Updated Chinese text character font (providing better readability). Table of ContentsForeword by Grandmaster Li, Mao-Ching Foreword by Grandmaster Abraham Liu Preface Part I. General Concepts of Taijiquan About Taiji The Meaning of Taiji in Taijiquan Taijiquan Yin-Yang Illustrations Yin-Yang Theory of Taijiquan Yin-Yang Theory of Taiji’s Xin and Yi Yin-Yang Theory of Movement and Stillness in Taijiquan Lao Zi’s Thesis of Using the Soft to Subdue the Hard General Theory of Taijiquan Thirteen Postures Practicing Procedures of Taijiquan Three Heights and Three Postures of Taijiquan Yin-Yang Practicing Theory of Taijiquan Theory of Taijiquan and Health About Qi Primary Channels, Secondary Channels, Vessels, and Dan Tian Thesis of Taijiquan’s Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow/Brain Washing Part II. About Regulating the Body Importance of Regulating the Body Stationary Postures (The Postures of Central Equilibrium) Moving Postures (The Postures of Four Directions) Part III. About Regulating the Breathing Secret of Regulating the Breathing Theory of Normal and Reversed Abdominal Breathing Secret of Embryonic Breathing (Wuji Breathing, Girdle Vessel Breathing) Secret Knacks of Regulating the Breathing Part IV. About Regulating the Emotional Mind Importance of Regulating the Emotional Mind Thesis of Monkey Xin and Horse Yi Thesis of Mutual Dependence of Emotional Mind and Breathing Thesis of Comprehending the Human Nature through Taijiquan Part V. About Regulating the Qi Theory of Using the Yi to lead the Qi Secret of Small Circulation Secret of Grand Circulation Yin-Yang Taiji Ball Qigong Part VI. About Regulating the Spirit Returning the Essence to the Brain for Nourishing Through Marrow/Brain Washing Thesis of the Unification of Spirit and Qi Thesis of the Mutual Dependence of Spirit and Breathing Thesis of Wuji Spirit Thesis of the Spirit of No Spirit Part VII. About Jin Thesis of Jin Theory of Internal Jin Theory of External Jin Theory of Hard Jin, Soft-Hard Jin, and Soft Jin Theory of Long Jin and Short Jin Secret of Jin Theory of Storing Jin Secret of Hen and Ha, Two Qi’s Part VIII. About Pushing Hands Practicing Methods of the Four Directions and Four Corners (Eight Doors, Eight Trigrams) Practicing Methods of the Five Steppings (Five Elements) Practicing Methods of Central Equilibrium Method of Rooting Method of Uprooting Practicing Methods for Listening, Following, Attaching, and Adhering The Practice of Yin-Yang Taiji Circle Six Turning Secrets of Taijiquan Part IX. About Sparring Taijiquan’s Kicking, Striking, Wrestling, and Na Taijiquan’s Attaching and Adhering Taijiquan’s Kicking Taijiquan’s Striking (Cavity Press) Taijiquan’s Wrestling Taijiquan’s Na Taijiquan’s Long and Short Fighting Strategies Strategy of Attacking Timing Fighting Strategy of Sun Zi Strategy of Hard and Soft Strategy of Fast and Slow Strategy of Advancing and Retreating Theory of the Fight of No Fight Part X. Conclusion Theory of Reaching Enlightenment Discussing the Song of Taijiquan’s Real Meaning References Appendix A. Translation and Glossary of Chinese Terms Acknowledgments About the Author Index

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Book SynopsisA rare in-depth look at the history, teachings, and wider implications of Wing Chun Wing Chun In-Depth offers an historical overview of the art’s development, it examines how to properly approach training for fighting skills that give you an edge in street defence and it presents Wing Chun’s underlying principles and strategies as a way of life for health and happiness. This work traces the lives and legends of the great masters of Wing Chun, it reveals their training techniques and philosophies, and shows the reader how they can be applied in all aspects of life. Written in an enjoyable and readable way, Wing Chun In-Depth shares profound insights, training drills and martial techniques that will improve your fighting foundation; it connects you to the great masters of Wing Chun—their lives, their martial teachings, and their philosophies. In the end, it is intended to inspire and enrich readers with history, practical skills, and a winning mindset for all of life’s challenges. Contents include Part 1: The Lineage The origins of Wing Chun from its legendary past. Its historical development and its present evolution from Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung. Insight into Bruce Lee’s relationship with Wing Chun, Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung. Part 2: The System Forms, training drills, and techniques that can be used to develop oneself into a skilled fighter. Part 3: Up Close Master Class Training to fight without fighting Master Class Avoiding a stand off Master Class No technique as technique Part 4: Strategies for Life Explores the strategic and martial fruits of Wing Chun as a practice which provides both skills for combat and strategies for life. Startling truths that enrich life inside and outside the training hall (kwoon). Ip Man’s senior student, Wong Shun-Leung was the man who made Wing Chun famous in Hong Kong’s challenge matches. He was also a close friend and mentor to Bruce Lee. Sifu Loukas Kastrounis, one of the few active teachers of this lineage, is a highly respected Wing Chun teacher who has spent his life honing and developing Wing Chun. “Written at the request, and in collaboration with Sifu Loukas Kastrounis-a third generation master of the Wong Shun-Leung lineage, it is the fruit of over 5 years of my careful observations and research into Loukas’s teachings as both his student and as a professional historian.”—Munawar Ali KarimTrade ReviewAristotle once said, “the most difficult thing in the world is to discover and know yourself.” One way to do this is to interact with a real friend who will play the role of a mirror and help you “see” yourself and assist you in achieving self-realization, self-confidence, and self-control. Reading Plato’s dialogues, we often cannot recognize who is the true author (Aristotle the mas- ter, or Plato the student). This matters less that the content itself. Something similar is happening in this book. What really matters is that Wing Chun is preserved and transferred to future generations. Like Plato, these authors invite you to question and analyze yourself by accepting current circum- stances and remaining focused to find your own truth and to deal with the complexity and chal- lenges of your own life. This book will help you discover your inner self, allowing your skills and abilities to be revealed and your imagination explored. Wing Chun In-Depth begins with the origins and history of the Wing Chun system. It explores the contributions of Ip Man and Bruce Lee through the social and political environments of their times. The authors focus not only on sophisticated martial skills but on principles, mental values, attitudes, and philosophies that these masters taught for success in life. It continues with an exami- nation of Wing Chun skills including the economy of motion, effort, and natural reactions with forward energy. The work is also precisely illustrated with hundreds of enhanced photographs. The authors complete this book by offering the readers various strategies on how Wing Chun’s universal principles can work as a stabilizing force in life. Wing Chun is a way of thinking. It helps overcome anger, stress, bias, and mental blocks. It replaces them with calmness, charm, and intelli- gence so that we can confront the most difficult opponent: ourselves. In Wing Chun, every obstacle is an opportunity to find a natural way. This book will inspire the remarkable journey of Wing Chun and bring out the very best in all who take it. —Vasileios Manousakis Colonel GR (A) If you are looking for a book on Wing Chun that covers both the practical aspects of applying the techniques in combat as well as the philosophical side of the martial art, then this is the book for you. I have read many books on Wing Chun, and this is by far one of the most comprehensive and well-written books I have come across. Loukas Kastrounis has been teaching martial arts for over thirty years to many martial artists of different styles, law enforcement officers, security firms, and the military at home and overseas. He is a highly creative instructor with a unique approach to training that helps students achieve their goals quickly and effectively. Wing Chun In-Depth: Skills for Combat, Strategies for Life is a must-read for anyone passionate about Wing Chun and martial arts. This is one of those books you will be able to reference time and time again. I highly recommend this book for everyone! —Lafayette Harris, Wing Chun martial arts instructor A solidly researched, beautifully narrated deep dive into the philosophical, historical, and tech- nical aspects of Wing Chun. Fascinating history combined with great narration and revealing insights that make Wing Chun relevant for all of life’s challenges. Highly recommended if you love history, martial arts, and strategy. —Erwan Le Corre, author of The Practice of Natural Movement I was fascinated to understand how Wing Chun practitioners can gain mechanical advantages through natural movement and gain freedom through imitation and repetition. It’s as though the practitioner is a work of art [becoming] a masterpiece. Reading the history of Wing Chun practitio- ners drew me in deeply, a veritable who’s-who of Wing Chun. —Eric Brown, former US Navy SEAL, Naval Special Warfare Center Instructor of the Year (1993)Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Part One The Lineage Through the Tempests of History China At the Time of Grandmaster Ip Man’s Birth (1900’s) Alive And Well Bringing Wing Chun Out of Myth and Into History Growing And Continuing Two Legendary Students of Grandmaster Ip Man In The Present and On to The Future From Sifu Wong Shun Leung to Sifu Loukas Kastrounis Part Two The System What’s The Big Idea? A Concise Overview of Wing Chun Siu Nim Tau The First Form, The Last Form Chi Sau The Heart and Soul of Wing Chun Part Three Up Close Master Class 1 Training to Fight Without Fighting Master Class 2 Avoiding the Stand-Off Master Class 3 “No Technique as Technique” Part Four Strategies for Life Beyond Fighting What Wing Chun Can Teach Us About Life Afterword Closing Thoughts on Wing Chun About the Authors 

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Book SynopsisThe true story of an incredible journey and the master-apprentice relationship. Moving and inspiring. This is the extraordinary account of a “magical” but also very real encounter between a young boy and a martial arts teacher. Their meeting becomes the starting point of a life studded with dramatic fights, spiritual enlightenment, friendship and betrayal, victories and defeats. At the end of the sixties in old Genoa an Italian child meets an old Chinese man working as a carpenter. Behind his craft, the man hides a life of conflict, escapes and mystery. Sensing little Paolo’s determination and talent, he subjects him to arduous training to temper his character and teach him the path to inner balance. Still a young man, Paolo travels to China, a country then still very much closed off to Westerners. There he will overcome demanding trials, face battles in which he will risk his life, and overcome tough physical and spiritual tests. Young Paolo will also gain amazing experiences, forge invaluable friendships, and eventually become one of the best-known martial arts teachers today.

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