Book Description
This book introduces you to the devastating and practical art of Kung Fu San Soo.You'll learn about using your subconscious, making every punch count, the practical kicks of San Soo, the fighting "sounds", fighting multiple opponents, and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

An excellent read for all Kung Fu San Soo practitioners
Master Gatewood provides an excellent overview of Kung Fu San Soo.His insights come from decades of study under Jimmy H. Woo (AKA Chin Siu Dek) and as a law enforcement officer.He explains many Kung Fu San Soo principals in plain language.This work is well researched and provides an excellent resource for students and instructors alike.

History of Jimmy Woo's San Soo Kung Fu! (Chai Li Fut)
This volume is NOT a "how-to" book.It IS a very thorough and detailed explanation of Kung Fu San Soo as originally taught by Jimmy Woo.For the first time, there is a decent explanation of Woo's San Soo Kung Fu history, which should put to rest rumors that he was an American Kenpo breakaway (he wasn't).Jimmy Woo, this volume explains, was originally schooled in Chai Li Fut (aka Choy Lay Fut) kung fu, and a chart on page 37 of this volume illustrates his lineage.Gatewood offers all the specifics of Woo's hostory, including his immigration to the US via forged papers (one of the reasons he changed his name--don't confuse him with James Wing Woo!).There are also some very good pictures of Jimmy Woo and other san soo folks.A lot of sensible theory is included in this book as well.I should add here that I am not a San Soo stylist, and have had no problem relating to or understanding the material presented in this book. Another good source for those wanting to learn more about San Soo KF history is the San Soo Journal, Volume 3 #4, which includes an article by a San Soo practitioner who visited Woo's mother in China, and described his converstaion with her (pictures included) concerning her missing son.

To the point
Master Gatewood has done a suberb job in exacting detail. A must read for the San Soo fighter that needs to know, and wants the truth.

A Direct Source of Information
Any and all information put out on the art of San Soo is more than valuable, I've read the book and came away with questions to take back to my Master, Master Gatewood shares a variety of information that he's gathered for over 30 years in the art, Considering it takes years to learn the art I'm glad someone published something of this art.

A proud depiction of a proud Grand Master and His Art.
At a time when many speculate about hidden truths of San Soo, applause goes to Master Ronald Gatewood who tells it as it was and is. What can be more noble and respectful than the truth.
The art and Jimmy H. Woo's life do not lend themselves to embellishment and half truths. The Grandmaster's story is simple but powerful, as was his goal in the teaching of his art. Anything more than good reporting would render this neat book, forgettable. ... Read more

Book Description
The first form of wing chun, sil lum tao, is demonstrated with over 100 photographs. James Lee studied sil lum and wing chun before training with Bruce Lee in jeet kune do. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

GREAT WING CHUN SI LIM TAO
GREAT BOOCK ON THE FIRST FORM SI LIM TAO. THIS IS THE AUTHENTIC YIP MAN FORM. WITH SOME GOOD APLICATIONS TO. GREAT BOOK. IF YOU WANT THE REAL THING THIS IS IT. LOOK UP YIP MAN MPEG VIDIO CLIP THIS IS THE SAME FORM TOUGHT IN THIS BOOK! GET IT LERN IT APPLY IT!

I liked the book, but it's only a good intro!
The book is mostly of applications, but some of them seem to be against principle.This might be because of the fact that the author was not actually trained in Wing Chun.Even though Bruce was a had a part in the book, it still seemed like a departure from real Wing Chun.I liked the many applications, but most of them can be found in good Jeet Kune Do books.There isn't much on the system and of it's principles.If you love Bruce and his followers or just looking to see applications then this is an OK book.I just like to collect Wing Chun Books.

Great book!
This book is pretty thorough. It shows all the basics via 100s of pictures.

publication misprint
whatever your view of this book,it is important to make sure you have the book in its entirety. i purchase this book on Amazon. The version i got was missing 32 pages. the pages go from 1-32 then it repeats pages 1-32 then it jumps to page 65. it is missin pages 33-64. make sure yo ask the sellers to verify that their editions don't have this problem.

Original Classic Intorduction to Wing Chun
This book sadly, is the only book written by James Yimm Lee which is still widely available to the public.Considered a classic, this was, unfortunately, James Yimm Lee's last book.James Lee was an avid student of physical culture as well as one of T.Y. Wong's Sil Lum students during the 1950's and early 1960's.He also befriended, influenced and was influenced by a young man by the name of Jun Fan "Bruce" Lee.In return for teaching Bruce how to break bricks, Bruce taught James a popular for of Chinese boxing called "Wing Chun".James Lee also helped Bruce publish his first book, "Chinese Gung Fu: The Philosophical Art of Self Defence" in the early 1960's.

Still considered one of the finest introductions to Wing Chun, James Lee teaches Hong Kong's no-nonsense brand of boxing learned from his friend, Bruce Lee.As with all traditional Chinese Gung Fu schools, not every practitioner demonstrates the form precisely like every other practitioner, so no matter your school of Wing Chun (or Ving Tsun, Wing Tsun, etc), you will probably see SOME variation in form.

While it may not be possible for the novice to learn precise movements from a book alone, the skilled martial artist may at least gain a better understanding of Wing Chun's patterns of movement.This book covers the basics of the art, including no-nonsense explanations for the theory of facing, and economy of movement.As usual, numerous crisp sequence photos from this publisher do not disappoint.Front and side views of the complete first form of Wing Chun, Sil Lum Tao (little idea form).This is the form Bruce Lee taught before he began to consider discontinue the use of static forms in training.A classic worth considering. ... Read more

Book Description
Kung fu, China's martial arts legacy, stretches from the distant past of the Shaolin temple to the strife torn decades of the 20th century, and into the new millennium.It is a legacy filled with tales of great masters and incredible exploits.Here, in a revised and expanded edition of this best-selling title, we survey the major kung fu styles and masters of the present day.Long range and short range styles, internal and external power, and the living legends of kung fu are all explored in great detail and with numerous photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Excellent intro to subject
A few readers have criticized this book for not being more comprehensive and for perhaps dealing more with kung-fu styles outside of China, but it's still a good introduction for the non-specialist in kung-fu. Some important styles have been left out, or are mentioned only in passing, such as some of the main animal styles such as snake, dragon, black tiger style, and so on, but they still get some attention in the discussions of some of the styles that incorporate their movements, such as Hung Gar and praying mantis. And the author does do a fine job discussing not just praying mantis, but at least five different praying mantis styles (northern praying mantis, 7-star praying mantis, 6-harmony praying mantis, tai mantis, and tai chi praying mantis (also known as the mayflower mantis style), and five monkey kung-fu styles.

I would have also liked some mention about which styles were important for later developments in karate. For example, a fusion of several styles from Fukien province, dragon, white crane, and tiger, became the basis of such famous Okinawan karate styles as Uechi-ryu. Others, such as Shorin-ryu, incorporate white crane influences and forms. But again, this is not a big deal and is perhaps not appropriate for an intro book.

Anyway, despite a few oversights, the book's strengths by far outweigh its shortcomings. Hollander writes with a nice style and also does a good job with much of the history. So overall, still a fine book on the subject.

Nice photos but...
shame about the text. The book covers a handful of the major styles (that are commonly taught in the USA)and very briefly touches on the history and some characteristics of these styles but says little else. The photos take up probably more space than they should but they are interesting nonetheless. Despite the title, there is nothing complete about this book.

Not bad but missing some major styles
This book promises to be the complete guide to kung fu styles, in some ways this is true, in other not at all.If we are comparing this book with most of the other variants knocking about then this probably is the complete guide! If we look into kung fu styles then this is not. At over 1000 in china no book can document all of them, and most of the family styles would not allow themselves to appear in such a book.This book should have been called 'The Complete Guide to Western Known Kung Fu Styles', as it gives pretty good if not broad information on most of the styles we know. I was very dispointed to find that some major animal styles were missing though.

Overall I would say an interesting read, and at around £10 you cant really complain about some styles missing,

Just Enough To Peak Your Interest
Jane Hollander follows the tradition of Draeger and Leung Ting. She writes about every art she can get her hands on, detailing it better than most of the instructors of the style can. Here, she gives a simple guide designed simply to introduce us to the myriad ways that kung fu can be applied. It is not a book for learning exact techniques, but for becoming familiar with basic principles and showing the relationship of various arts which share certain princples. This book gives us the means to see the difference and the similarity, based solely on the basic premises of the styles. To learn more about each art, one would have to get videos & books specifically dedicated to that one art, which would still provide less by way of separate perspectives. This is the type of book that Americans need to help them wade through the confusion of which Chinese art is best for them.

a vey good book
this book tells you everything about all the kung fu fighting styles and is good for people in kung fu and just interested.it says everything about all the kung fu styles and seperates them into long fist and closerange arts.it tells you about everything in the kung fu fighting stylesit mentions and at the end it says a couple of really rare arts.a verygood book ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Superior Book
This book stands high among all the books intended to introduce readers to Shaolin kung fu. Sifu Wong introduces not only the shape, but the intent and training behind Shaolin martial arts to an extent that gives a person some of the flavor of these arts, and gives more than just a hint at the depth they entail. This book holds interest even for individuals with experience in martial arts that goes beyond the beginning stages. Well worth the effort to read!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Superior Book
This book stands high among all the books intended to introduce readers to Shaolin kung fu. Sifu Wong introduces not only the shape, but the intent and training behind Shaolin martial arts to an extent that gives a person some of the flavor of these arts, and gives more than just a hint at the depth they entail. This book holds interest even for individuals with experience in martial arts that goes beyond the beginning stages. Well worth the effort to read!

BASICS
This is essential to those who are starting to the world of martial arts. I remember of having one, although it doesn't give a vital knowledge, it's gonna push you to the point where you will know and start to love the essence of martial arts, and believe me, the first thing I've learned, I'm still using it! ... Read more

Book Description
Marvin falls hard for the new girl: A feisty nine-year-old named Tokiko, who turns out to be a karate whiz! But when Hank tells everyone that Marvin has to be protected by a girl, Marvin must defend his honor. So he enters a citywide karate contest to prove himself. Expecting to lay the smack down on trash-talking Hank, Marvin finds himself in competition with his crush! With stakes this high, can Marvin keep his karate cool? ... Read more

Book Description
From the traditions, history, and evolution of kung fu to the subtleties of advanced Wing Chun techniques and tactics, Mastering Kung Fu has everything you need to develop your skill and take your training to the next level.

Mastering Kung Fu introduces these advanced theories that show you how science plays as much a role in kung fu as art:

-Centerline theory
-Two lines of offense and defense
-Three reference points
-Five line (dimensional) theory
-Five phases of combat
-Six gates concept
-Kiu sau (bridge arm) employment concepts
-Chi sau (sticking hand) concepts

You will see how space and time factor into successful, tactical maneuvers. Then, by combining these principles with detailed instruction on advanced techniques, you will be able to add the concepts to your own arsenal to improve your combat skills—even if you are an established black belt!

In addition, you will discover the ancient combat secrets of the monks by tracing the evolution of Shaolin kung fu from the Northern Temples to the Southern Temples. Learn how the Chan Buddhist philosophy of universal harmony has influenced the advancement of Wing Chun kung fu, and how it contributes to the way in which kung fu is performed today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (23)

Understanding the "Idea at the Beggining".
A truly wonderful book written by the "real deal".Great facts layed out in textbook format so that anyone can attempt to begin to comprehend what is at the core of this martial science.Once the practioner understands "the idea" he can then look forward to falling into the bottomless pit of knowledge that is Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Kuen.Created in the Southern Shaolin Temples over 350 years ago, a streamlined, highly technical system, that combined thousands of years of martial art knowledge with the Treasures and Wisdoms of Shaolin Chan to create a kind of ultimate combat system.Kept secret inside secret societies and families for generations, it is now offered to the public by Grandmaster Gee for examination and exploration.

This book was written by true artists and practioners. It is sort of like a textbook, trying to read this like a story or like some other martial arts books are written, with flowery phrasing, and grand stories about kung fu are wasting their time. This book is for those who wish to take the first step toward understanding what one of the "real" martial sciences today is all about. This book is a real eye opener for some and that's what its all about. After you read this book you wont be the same, and you wont be able to go back to not knowing.

Definitive Work
This is the most comprehensive study of martial arts that I've encountered.It breaks down the human physiology relative to an opponent and the three deminsional world that defines a battlefield.Not only does this book detial the physical elements of martial arts, it also details the historical, spiritual, and mental aspects of Shaolin Kung-fu.No book can take the place of competent instruction, but this one does have stand alone value as a physical, historical, and philosophical supplement to your training.

Promising layout - disappointing execution
I was impressed by the layout of this book when I flipped through in the book store - it appeared to give a fairly comprehensive overview of wing chun, and I hoped it would help in my study of the art.Unfortunately, though the authors may be knowledgeable martial artists, they are not very good writers.

Frankly, I am very surprised to see so many positive reviews of the book on Amazon. These are the problems I had with the book:
1) The whole history section though interesting was not properly sourced - I remained skeptical about how the authors knew what was fact or legend.
2) Paragraphs seemed to drift from one topic to another without a clear focus.
3) The writing is very repetitive - but not in a good way that reinforces key concepts.
4)Sentence structure is often awkward and unclear.
5)The authors spend too much time denigrating other martial arts.
6)The constantly repeated claim that this kung fu is "science" where others are "art" is silly and makes it look like the authors are engaged in a propaganda exercise.

I think if this book were thoroughly edited - removing the propaganda and sticking to a clear description of the art - it would be a worthwhile text.As it stands I could not recommend it.

Great reading!
My son has been reading this book and loves the illustrations as well as the detailed writing. ++

The best MA book on the market
This book is excellent for wing chun practisioners and should be noted as a necessatiy. Don't be fooled by the comment made by guitrman "guitrman". he's one of those guys who put's down other peoples arts just to make him feel better because he studied the wrong one and not to mention the fact that he has a closed-mind. Benny Meng makes these comments because it's true. at least 80% percent of martial arts have fixed moves which makes the style stiff and useless. Hung Fa Yi is very efficient and makes use of time,space and energy and is straight to the point. the book is very detailed and it doesn't drag on about useless information. A must have for all wing chun practisioners. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Real results obtained
I read this book as a scholar during 1976. I was fit and playing rugby for the schools 1st team. My heart rate was measured at a steady 60 beats per minute (bpm) and during the end of year break before beginning my then compulsory military training, I began performing the basic exercises as described in the book. Within the month, I reported for my stint and was medically examined for health categorisation and was astounded to find my heart rate had dropped to 48 bpm.

Now at age 42, I am desparately looking form a copy, if not new then a used copy of the book that served me so well back then. My original copy has been lost along the way.

for anyone who wants to improve their health
You don't need to be a devotee of martial arts to get tremendous benefit from the techniques shown in this book. Simple powerful exercises that will make you stronger and healthier without stressing your joints or risking damage to yourself. I read the book 20 years ago and still do the exercises daily. You can see results in a very short time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Smith is the author but it's really all about Felix Leong
This series of books were put together by Smith as if he came up with this branch of thinking. He didn't but he puts forward the idea that he did. The pictures don't show Smith at all, they show Grandmaster "Felix Leong" who resides in Adelaide, who I don't think is ever mentioned in any of the books but deserves the credit. Basically what you get is Felix doing his thing and someone attempting to analyse it. Smith does a reasonable job but these books have major flaws in their sequencing of photo's. There are still many valuable tips contained within the pages and worth every cent. No book will ever replace going to a real master anyway especially Felix. If you're in Adelaide drop in to Sifu Felix's centre in Hinley Street. His linage is from three schools: Hong Kong- Grandmaster Yip Chun; Foshan- Grandmaster Pan Nam; Guongzhou: Grandmaster Sum Nung and Lei Chi Wah. He has a major focus on sticky hands (chi-sao) and free sparring and students can come in any time of the day and train. I once was his student until I moved away from Adelaide and have never found anyone adequate to replace him. I understand that this is typical of anyone blabbing about their first master but still, there are many students there who have blackbelts in other arts before doing WC and rave about Felix and WC.[..]

True Ving Tsun
I believe that every man will choose what he will wish to train in. Whether it be Wing Chung, or Jujistu.The thing that will make that man is character and values, Joseph is simply stating the princilpe of Wing Chung.We all know that it goes much deaper than just seeing pictures, and working through two man drills.True Wing Chun is way of life and could never be depicted by a book........

Suprisingly good
As a Martial artist for over a decade now i was suprised to read a book that wasn't just anadvertisment for somebodys school. He putsforward interesting theories and lets you decide to take awaywhat ifanything you wish .

Psbegginers in martial arts should never, never, try to larn from booksits just bad news trust me, unlearning is ten times harder than learningget out there anddo some research and find a good techer.

A scientific perspective on a traditional martial art
Smith does a fine job of explaining and analyzing the main principles ofWing Chun with an open mind, and then describes the 3 main forms of the YipMan school with clear photos.He looks at Wing Chun as martial science,rather than simply "art", and I found it both refreshing andinsightful.I'm always skeptical about what I read on the subject of themartial arts, so I compared his Sil Lum Tao form to the descriptionspresented by several other qualified authors (Ip Chan, William Cheung, andJames Yipp Lee, so far...) and it would seem to have been presented ratheraccurately, with only minor variations.The basic principles are all thereand embodied in the form.Chum Kil and Bil Jee are also presented clearly,though I haven't cross-referenced their accuracy.Despite what others maysay, I believe it is possible to learn the fundamentals, strategies, andkatas or forms from books/videos, and therefore teach oneself the essenceof a martial art style, an idea I credit this book with justifying. However, mastery, or even realistic applications of that knowledge requireexperimentation and human contact with an instructor or at least aknowledgable partner.In short, this is a useful edition to any martialartist's bookshelf, and is capable of taking you as far as the printedmedium will allow (with dedicated practice, of course).

Dr. Smiths books are thought provoking and controvercial.
Dr. smith is a controvercial figure in the wing chun world.Nevertheless, his books bring up some interesting points.I would not rate this book high on the level of instruction however. He touches upon all three levels of wing chun in this book. ... Read more

Book Description
Ever wonder how the great kung fu comic creators like Tony Wong, Andy Seto, and Wing Shing Ma work their magic? Well, now you can learn how it's done. Volume 1 of How to Draw Kung Fu Comics: Compiling Characters intuitively runs down the finer point of aesthetic character development - from how to design and draw character heads, on to completing your character creations. You'll soon be on your way to producing your original kung fu comic. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book treating deep esoteric subjects.
Great book treating deep esoteric subjects.

The stories/Sage advices are simple and have a strong effect. I love it. ... Read more

Book Description
Priceless Heritage of Southern Shaolin Inherited from the Past and Handed Down by Venerable Grandmaster Lam Sai Wing.Provides a detailed description of the old Southern Shaolin method of ""Internal Training"".A master of the Iron Thread can withstand, ... Read more

Book Description

Born in the projects of Spanish Harlem to a disabled mother and an abusive father, Steve DeMasco spent most of his childhood lost and angry. Drifting from one job to another, he stalked the streets as a troubled youth, barely surviving while all of his peers were either dead or in jail, until he found himself on the steps of the Shaolin Temple.

Customer Reviews (2)

I like this book alot.
Although, the writer is obviously not a professional writer and his martial arts credentials, although respectable enough, are open to question, there is a lot of very good insight into personal responsibility and accountability.Not enough people in this world hold themselves accountable for their own happiness.Steve Demasco manages to encourage without being overly pretentious.

Oh, please!!
It never ceases to amaze me that people fall for this kind of stuff. A "tenth-degree black belt in Shaolin kung fu"? Since when did the Shaolin monks start handing out black belts? Since when did they start wearing karate gi's? And what's so difficult about entering the Shaolin Temple Museum? You just pay your entrance fee and you can get in along with the other million plus annual visitors. And if you give the government installed "abbott" a nice check, you can get a nice certificate from him and he will even display your school plaque in the museum courtyard. Then you can tell your students that you are the "official (put the name of your country here) representative of the Shaolin Temple". Fact is, there haven't been any real martial monks at the museum for decades. ... Read more

Book Description
Twenty-six-year-old Nicci Bradford doesn't exactly love her job fixing the grammar in company brochures, or living in Boston, or going on awkward fix-ups with men she barely knows. What she does love is Kung Fu movies...especially the ones starring Jackie Chan. Their timeless and inspired wisdom offers her a philosophy of life. The problem is she doesn't have much of a life to philosophize about. But Jackie Chan is also a pretty good action hero. And when opportunity-and risk-present themselves in unexpected ways, it's up to Nicci to follow her hero's example, focus on her goal, and strike... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (31)

Coffee & Kung Fu
Light read, the main character can really get on your nerves, she just needs to get over herself.

Made me feel broody and cranky
Don't be fooled by the fancy-pants pink cover with the kitschy coffee cup on the front - C&KF is no chick-lit offering.Brooding, sad, frustrated, unhappy, disgruntled - all adjectives which describe the main character, who is going through a shift in her life where she is being forced to finally decide what she wants and needs to be fulfilled.

Most readers will see the end coming, and there are no surprises here, other than the fact that I'm surprised I was able to finish this dry novel.Not particularly recommended.

Coffee & Kung Fu
This book is a really quick and light read, and I really enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I thought that Brichoux put a nice spin on the typicaly "chick lit" genre by introducing a character who is absolutely in love with (or maybe obsessed with) kung fu movies -especially the ones that have Jackie Chan in them. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast, light, and fun read.

predictable, but fun and worth it like a good kung fu movie
the story is predictable, i knew just what would happen by the second chapter, but perhaps that is what the author was going for.with any good kung fu movie, you know what will happen, but you watch and enjoy it and keep watching; this book is the same.it is well written, fun, a solid story.i don't read too much chick-lit, but this was definately worth it and i would reccommend it to anyone.a great quick book to cleanse the pallette between other books or enjoy on a rainy day or at the beach.you can't lose with this book.

this brew has had its last kick
Coffee and Kung Fu. Here's my Reading Rainbow synopsis (sans Jordi LaForge). Coffee and Kung Fu is about a 20 something bimbo who lacks personality and authenticity but makes up for her inadequecies through an unhealthy obsession with drinking boring coffee in the AM and ritual Jassimine tea drinking elsewhere. She has some friends in the general sense of the word (meaning, they all want to set her up or need her for something) and works as a copywriter, correcting grammatical errors such as dangling participles. She falls for a painfully cliché rich guy who wears Italian leather shoes and drives an even more agonizingly typical SUV. She goes out with him for the nookie, but is secretly in love with a pathetic Starbucks worker who lets homeless guys come in after hours. They don't say he works at Starbucks but the author talks about him wearing a green apron and I don't know too many coffee shops who have green apron uniforms. Nicci (main character) relates everything back to Jackie Chan Kung Fu movies. Everything she experiences is parallelled to Jackie like, eating coals, two chop sticks being stronger than one. You follow? Right, I wouldn't care either. So Rob, the cliché rich sailboat rental company owning guy ends up proposing and Nicci says no way and henceforth runs away straight into the arms of pathetic Ethan whom she's only exchanged bizare pleasantries with. Meanwhile, Nicci's grandfather, whom she shares a close bond with is sick and eventually dies and Ethan shows up at the hospital, hugs Nicci and then travels back to wherever he came from. Nicci desides to purchase two tickets to Hong Kong, gives one to Ethan and he says, "ok, see you there in a week". The End. The book is laced with italics of what she thinks in her head but is too chicken and too ordinary to say. She has a bland commentary on things in life such as public transit and tea pots which makes the book rather monotonous and ill-exciting. As a character she paints her self to be a lone reed in the wind but is practically just like any other salmon trying to push through society's force only to return to the very place you don't want to be. I applaud graphic artist who designed the front cover because its pretty and bright. I like judging books by its cover and from my opinion, looks like the graphic arts degree paid off and the English degree didn't. I do not recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description
For centuries, China's martial arts masters have been famous for maintaining extraordinary health, vitality and fitness into advanced old age.Their secret?-- A series of traditional exercises that strengthen and tone muscles, promote better circulation and breath control, and create a mental state of relaxation and invigoration.This book, illustrated with over 350 photographs, reveals each of these exercises.Readers will find the exercises simple and not too taxing to perform, and will be amazed at the beneficial effects of incorporating them into a regular workout routine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Exceptional
I bought this book in the hope that it would provide a daily routine of exercises that incorporated both the Eastern health and well being style as well as something more Western in the sense of muscle development. I wanted instruction in an exercise set I could practice myself, with repetitive and intelligent movements. This is exactly what I got with this book.
Perfect for the martial artist looking for a routine to incorporate into his/her daily training, and also perfect for someone looking to get fitter and healthier.
Exceptional book.

Fair Guide to Basic Chinese Martial Exercises
The brief introduction contained in this volume describes the exercises within as simple, requiring no martial arts experience to learn.In reading through this volume, I found that to be accurate--If you're already studying a traditional school of Chinese martial arts, this book probably isn't going to offer you anything new.However, this book is perfect for anyone with little or no background in Chinese martial arts who is looking for a decent low-impact workout.

This no-nonsense 130-page volume is a collection of rudamentary exercises taken from a variety of different Chinese chi-gung and martial arts sources.The focus of this book is entirely upon the physical exercises themselves, you will find nothing on history or philosophy.Illustrated with numerous easy to follow photographs demonstrating the techniques, each sequence is accompanied by succinct descriptive narratives.

This volume contains 11 chapters of exercise "sets" presented in 2 sections.In the first section are: 1. Breathing Exercises (2 exercises), 2. Stretching Exercises (9 movements), 3. Waist Exercises (5), 4. Leg Exercises (7), 5. Arm and Finger Exercises (5), 6. Ankle Exercises (2), 7. Full Body Exercises (4), 8. Relaxation Exercises (2), 9. Dry Bath Exercises (4), and two advaced exercise sets, 10. Tai Chi Chuan Exercises (10), and 11. Sinew Transforming Exercises (14).

These exercises are really helpful
The correct way to master the art of traditional Chinese exercises is to begin with a stationary pose and some simple repeated exercises.Somepeople might think it is a waste of time learning and practicing thesesimple exercises, but actually you will find it very helpful for keepingfit and mastering some more complicated skills. The breathing exercisein this book is the essential exercise for mastering the exercises thatfollows.It helps you to sink the chi into dantian and to build a correctpattern of breathing. The dry bath exercises introduced in the last chapterhelp you to relax after hard work and clean up the way for chi.The restof the exercises can help you either to stretching your tendons orstrengthen your muscles.You might have noticed that Chinese Kung-Fumasters although not look very strong and their vessels not protrudingunder the skins, they are very powerful even when they getting old.One ofthe major reasons is they benefited from these simple exercises. ... Read more