Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health and Enlightenment (Tuttle Martial Arts)

By Wong Kiew Kit

Book Overview

The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu is the ultimate guide to Kung Fu, from theory to practical application. This unique martial arts book, by a renowned Grandmaster, is a complete and comprehensive introduction to Kung Fu and all other aspects of ancient Shaolin wisdom. You will learn the ancient art of the Shaolin monks from the famous Shaolin monastery. It will prove invaluable to everyone interested in martial arts, chi kung, and meditation, showing how Kung Fu and other Shaolin arts can bring you health, vitality, mental focus, and spiritual joy. Chapters include: What is Kung Fu? --Four Aspects of Kung Fu; The Importance of Force Training; Application for Combat and Daily Living; Kung Fu Philosophy for Deeper Understanding; The Benefits of Kung Fu The Historical Development of Chinese Martial Arts --Kung Fu in Prehistoric and Ancient Times; The Glorious Han and Tang; The Modern Period From Shaolin to Taijiquan --Shaolin Kung Fu; The Various Styles of Taijiquan; Soft and Hard, Internal and External A Comparative Study of Kung Fu --Contrasting Shaolin and Wudang Kung Fu; Xingyi Kung Fu and Taoist Concepts; Tanglangquan or Praying Mantis Kung Fu; The Spread of Southern Kung Fu Defining Aims and Objectives --Setting Aims for Kung Fu Training; Personal Objectives; Course Objectives The Foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu --Inheritance from Past Masters; Various Shaolin Hand Forms; Basic Shaolin Patterns From Form to Combat Application --The Four Directions of Attack; The Principles of Effective Combat; Specific Techniques Against Kicks Combat Sequences and Set Practice --Relieving Injuries Sustained in Sparring; Composing Your Own Kung Fu Sets Shaolin Five Animals --Understanding Characteristics and Essence; The Five-Animal Set; The Names of the Five-Animal Patterns Five-Animal Combination Set --How to Improve Combat Efficiency; Spacing and Timing in Combat The Internal Force of Shaolin Kung Fu --The Relationship Between Technique and Force; The Compassionate Art of Qin-Na; The Internal Force of Tiger Claw Tactics and Strategies --Using Continuous Attack Effectively; A Tactic to Distract Your Opponent; Selecting Strategies to Suit Particular Situations Classical Kung Fu Weapons --Staffs; Whips, Knives and Other Weapons; Light and Heavy Weapons Understanding and Developing Chi --The Various Genres of Chi Kung; Lohan Embracing Buddha; Abdominal Breathing Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen --Culitvating Heart, Nourishing Nature; Bodhidharma and Taoism in Zen The Shaolin Way to Enlightenment --Attaining a Focused Mind; Meditation to Train Awareness; Shaolin Kung Fu for Spiritual Development

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804834393
• ISBN13: 9780804834391
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.9" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Wonderful Introduction to Shaolin Kung Fu

The book guides you through the theory and some initial practices of Kung Fu. At the beginning is the overview of historical development of kung fu and different kung-fu styles, then some suggestions and tips for getting more out of your practice in the shorter time. Then begins the practical part of the book with the foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu. Here you learn about different hand forms, stances and basic patterns. The sequence of different practice sets is accompanied by appropriate illustrations (hand-drawn, not pictures). There is a small section dealing with internal martial arts as well as suggested practices for qin-na and Tiger Claw. One section deals with classical kung fu weapons, and then you're guided through some additional chi-kung exercises and meditation practices. All in all, a wonderful introductory book on Shaolin Kung Fu.

Number one review

This book is a great book for you to really find out about kung fu. New or experienced readers can appreciate what the author had written . Also tells about some of the basic forms, and also about iron palm techniques for the more advansed users. This book will show you what to look for in a kung fu school and tell you if what you have been practicing hasn't been in vain. Again this book really helps to make you understand the martial art known as kung fu.

AWESOME book

This is a GREAT book for learning about Kung Fu. It shows a lot of moves and fighting tactics, and also internal training Chi Kung. Practise and Defence are not mispelled, because this was published in the UK. It is recommended you get a real life instructor to teach you, though.

An Amazing book that can be used by begginer's to advanced

The Art Of Shaolin Kung Fu was a book that I bought, because I was very interested in martial arts, begginner meditation, chi, history of martial arts, self-defense, lots of things. All that is in this book, and I read it over and over and even did alot of the training techniques like I was told in the book. Just because he spells defence wrong, doesn't mean it's a bad book, just the editor thought how it was spelled(it's spelled like that throughtout the book) Ever heard the saying"Don't judge a book by it's cover"If you do buy this book I suggest you read it the whole way through, because it is so rich in kung fu history, weapons, self-defense, some very creative training techniques(they do help alot!) and alot of other stuff that keeps you reading.

A higly recommended book on the true essence of Kung Fu.

I have been training in the art of Northern Kung Fu for 10 years now, and take a certain amount of pride in the fact that our school system has gone to great lengths to preserve as much of the background and meaning of the art of kung fu. I have read many books, watched hours of video, attended/competed in dozens of tournaments and taught well over 1,000 students during the course of my training. Of all those currently writing on the subject, Wong Kiew Kit has written the one book which has really hit the spot. He has done an amazing job of putting the experiences one derives from the practice of true Kung Fu into words. It's very uplifting and makes the journey of kung fu accessable to anyone who is willing to work to achieve the results. Vince Curtis, Pittsburgh Kungfu Center, Pittsburgh, PA