The idea of the nunchaku may bring up images of a screaming Bruce Lee wannabe devastating a half dozen overweight gangsters in shirts so ugly they deserved the beating from the moment they walked on the screen. Read more →
Feb
13
2012
13
2012
Feb
12
2012
12
2012
Qi Droppings #2: Use Your Qi for Good, Not Evil
Well, Shaolin Grandma was SUCH a success that we are moving on to the next choice video found by Intrepid Video Hunter, Gary Shapiro. This Japanese game show pits QI against Qi, and who comes out the winner is anyone’s guess…
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Luckily, Gary has found an english language transcript to this film, courtesy of Tabbycat Gamespace’s blog: Read more →
Feb
10
2012
10
2012
Terry Dunn Tai Chi at Plum
Clickhere
If you practice martial arts, chances are you have heard of Terry Dunn. His two DVDs–on Yang style Long Form and Yang Style Short Form–are the undisputed top sellers in the area of Tai Chi for Health. Terry’s instruction on each 90 minute DVD is very clear and patient, providing solid, accessible lessons.
For a while, Plum has represented these DVDs, along with the 5 in his Chi Kung series, on our sister site, Blossoms In the Spring, and also on Amazon. We thought it was time to offer these on Plum.
Even though the majority of Tai Chi instruction on Plum is oriented toward the martial, these DVDs are a welcome inclusion in our catalogue. While there is no emphasis on usage, its incorporation is evident in the correct postures and movements that Terry demonstrates and teaches.
Look, also, for his Chi Kung series to appear soon; and, for those of you who are really on the long-wait list, Terry says that there may finally be some sightings on the horizon of his DVDs on LiuHeBaFa and Tai Chi Ruler.
Feb
7
2012
7
2012
Translation: Bagua SanShou Zhang
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Here is a new translation by Joseph Crandall. In this case it is Bagua Sanshou Zhang by Zhang Yaozhong, a long time teacher and student of Wang Pei Sheng. Mr. Zhang writes about many aspects of Bagua practice with a long center section explaining the 64 lines of Liu De Kuan and another section on the five elements movements and how they relate to Bagua. More, including a legend, Bagua standing and other comments on the art.
Feb
5
2012
5
2012
Why Are the Forms on Your DVDs different …
… from the Way My Teacher does It?
At Plum we get this question all the time. On one level the answer is obvious as a spinning heel hook; different people teach differently. But that is not the whole story. Read more →
Jan
31
2012
31
2012
Another Dragon Sighting…
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..and this one has just landed.
Our co-publishing venture with CS Tang has emerged, as Dragon Stretches Its Claws returns to our pages and the world stage, after a wait of more than 4 years (Today, searching for this book online, yielded prices of over $220! ).
CS Tang and Plum Publications brings back this important book by Master Liu JingRu and Sifu Tang. This is Master Liu’s only book in English on the fine art of Cheng Style Bagua Zhang, and it is rich with detailed photos and instruction.
This text was priced at $24.95 4 years ago and we are reissuing it at the same price for Plum customers.
Jan
28
2012
28
2012
Gao Style’s Subtle Skills
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A couple of weeks ago we announced the happy return of Luo De Xiu’s excellent 4-part (newly remastered) DVD series on Gao Style Bagua Zhang.
The first 2 DVDs, Clever Hands volumes 1 and 2, became available in mid-January, and now the final two, Subtle Skills Volumes 1 and 2, are here. For those of you who pre-ordered, we will send these out at the beginning of the week. And for those who haven’t…well, now’s the time!
These DVDs offer, in addition to the linear hands of Gao Style, a good, solid helping of Bagua applications.
Jan
27
2012
27
2012
George Xu’s Master Workout
Clickhere.
George Xu’s workouts are the answer to that often asked question from students, “What do you do as a workout?” There’s a lot of curiosity about what the advanced practitioner’s practice. This new DVD from George Xu shows a more advanced, more internal if you will, work method. Here are Warm Ups, Overview, Dantian Training, Dantian Gong, Power Stretching, Spiral Training, Spiral Exercises, Bagua Spiraling, Bagua Form Demo. A complete practice in itself. Also Chen Tai Chi and Bagua demonstrated. George is good enough to be a creative martial artist and is an idea machine for multiple approaches to the subtleties of Chinese martial arts (CMA).
Jan
26
2012
26
2012
Dragon Cards, of course
Diana Moll, acupuncturist, artist and Tai Chi instructor, celebrates the year of the Dragon with this new limited edition of 2012’s Water Dragon. We rarely sell anything but martial arts videos and books but we were so charmed by Diana’s cards we thought we’d offer them to you. Here is a pack of twelve cards (5 1/2 by 4 1/4) in glorious black and white with Diana’s own chop on the front, originally done as a Moku Hanga hand pressed print. Get in good with the dragon, order now. 12 pack: $15.95.
Jan
25
2012
25
2012
S147 Shaolin Green Dragon: Book & DVD
Another item for this year’s Dragon Collection!
S147 SHAOLIN GREEN DRAGON FORM
Green Dragon is said to be created around the time of the development of PiGua Palm. You can see the connection to Split/Deflect style in Wang ZhiHai’s presentation; wide open wing actions with whipping arms, high kicks and fluid transitions. The only reason it is not always considered Pigua is the technicality of being a self-contained Shaolin form. A very nice set for those with loose shoulders. Book is in English and Simplified Chinese accompanied by a good quality DVD of the form.
Jan
24
2012
24
2012
Xin Nian Kuai Le! Gong Hay Fat Choy! Happy New Year!
Monday was the first of the ten day celebration of Asian New Year. With all the firecrackers, special dumplings, parades in the streets, tributes to the Kitchen Gods, visiting of the neighbors and family…it is too much to stuff into one day, so we get ten to enter in this year’s animal, The Water Dragon.
From all of us at Plum (Ted, Debbie and Linda) to all of you, we wish you the best for the upcoming year.
Jan
24
2012
24
2012
Sonoluminescence: The Light at the End of the Tumble
We are filled with light, never forget that. But the metaphor of light used by so many is a weak substitute for the true light inside us. Some practices encourage this recognition. But too many half-heartedly pursued, improperly understood, lackadaisically researched impressions and clichés only dim the inner experience to weakly glowing embers. Read more →
Jan
23
2012
23
2012
Qi Droppings: All the Film That’s Fit to View #1
Plum’s intrepid correspondent, Gary Shapiro, scours the web, finding gems and treasures for our mutual entertainment. After receiving numerous links to these fine films, we finally decided we needed to share these with you, and offered to give him his own occasional column. These may not ever make it to a theatre near you, but they will make it to kaimen.
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SHAOLIN GRANDMA: Movie Trailer. Watch more top selected videos about: Movie Trailers, Shaolin Grandma
Jan
21
2012
21
2012
A Black Belt Story
So, one day I’m teaching class at my school. One of the instructors picks up the phone, talks for a minute, then comes over and says, “It’s a long distance call for you.” The instructor tells me its about a black belt I had given someone. Read more →
Jan
19
2012
19
2012
An Old and a New Xing Yi Book
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This book is in the Li Cun Yi lineage and it combines (both in traditional Chinese) an old Xing Yi form text along with a newly photographed sword and 13 power fist set. Nice photos and, of course, neat old drawings of the 36 movement Xing Yi sword.
Jan
18
2012
18
2012
Key Concepts from the Tao Te Ching, Part 1
The Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu (circa 500 BCE), is not only a foundational text of both Taoism and Chinese culture, but also key to the theories and ideas behind many Chinese martial arts. Unfortunately the text is very inscrutable, regardless as to whether one knows Chinese. This inscrutability is due to its antiquity and to the way it was written, both in form and content.
In form, it is very poetically terse, using as few words as possible. For this reason, translations that are minimal are best, in that they match the original temper of the work most closely. Read more →
Jan
17
2012
17
2012
The Speed of Thought
When I teach an advanced class devoted to moving fast, I always start by telling my students, “If you can see your hand move, you aren’t fast enough.” Read more →
Jan
15
2012
15
2012
The Dragon (finally) Stretches Its Claws
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The Year of the Dragon brings great gifts upon the back of the Qing Long (the Dragon’s Chinese name), and one we know that you’ll like is the long out-of-print book, Dragon Stretches Its Claws: An illustrated Training Manual of BaGua Zhang by Liu JingRu & C.S.Tang. This is one of the modern classics on Baguazhang: a well-illustrated, comprehensive manual on this great style.
This book has been out-of-print for years. Plum always promised that we would try to get it reprinted, and finally we were able to partner with the publisher to bring it back to life. We are especially excited that it will show itself in its namesake year!
Although it is not here quite yet (it is on the slow boat, as I write), we expect it in about two to three weeks. We’re just too excited not to tell you about it. As always, those who are on our want list will receive a special email offering a discount for the book (hint: and it’s NOT too late to get on the want list! Just click HERE)
Jan
14
2012
14
2012
Enter the Year of the Dragon
The Chinese Year of the Water Dragon, which arrives on January 23, 2012, promises transformation and good fortune. Of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, the Dragon is the only one that is not encountered in “real” life. It is a mythical creature, considered to be the ruler of Heaven, mists, and rain, and is thus associated with the Emperor. It is also the guardian spirit of the East, a symbol of luck, power, and passion. Read more →
Jan
13
2012
13
2012
My Gripes About Push Hands
I remember Adam Hsu telling me that there had recently been a big Push Hands championship in China. Then, shaking his head, he said, “…and all the students beat the instructors.” This was hardly a surprise to me. I have officiated at Push Hands competitions and can see all the problems. Read more →
Jan
11
2012
11
2012
The Clever Hands of Luo De Xiu
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Oh boy! Here is an announcement we have been looking forward to making for quite a long time: Luo De Xiu’s DVDs are returning to Plum and even, we’re hoping, a little improved from their previous incarnation. We have remastered the original series—Clever Hands (parts 1 & 2) and Subtle Skills (parts 1 & 2); they now have menus and we have even tried to tweak the sound a bit, for clarity.
This excellent four-part seminar series, originally produced by Marcus Brinkman and Bradford Tyrey, goes into great detail on the linear forms, usage and basics of Gao Style Baguazhang. Sifu Luo is generous in his instruction, and we have been re-impressed, especially, with the way he emphasizes the applications inherent in this style.
First to arrive will be Clever Hands 1 & 2, with Subtle Skills 1 & 2 following in a couple of weeks. For those wanting the whole 4-part series, there is no need to wait as we can send them separately in two shipments, still applying the $40 (almost 25%) series discount (just mention this in the notes section when ordering; and for those of you on the want list, we’ll explain in greater detail in email.)
Look to Kaimen for further announcements on the arrival of the Subtle Skills DVDs, Marcus Brinkman’s own series on San Shou, and another never-before-represented title from Sifu Brinkman.
Jan
10
2012
10
2012
Baji and Pigua Books, Back for a Limited Engagement
Bajiquan: click pic
Piguazhang: click pic
Yes, we know: there is not enough material on the cousin arts of Baji Quan and Pigua Zhang, especially in written form. Our VCDs on these two arts still remain among our most popular, and the Baji and Pigua DVDs we carry (from Adam Hsu and Tony Yang ) are quite fine.
So we’re happy when we can fluff up our inventory on these two subjects, especially with these two Chinese language companion books which we snatch up every time we can find more copies.
Other Baji and Pigua resources include:
Baji and Pigua books (chinese)
Jan
9
2012
9
2012
Explosive Punching and You
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This DVD offering is from our “other” site, the one attached to our school in Santa Cruz, California.
Our school, the Academy of Martial and Internal Arts, offers self defense training. The teacher for this is John Ottenberg, the instructor on the Beyond Technique series. We like to offer his series at Plum because it is a near-perfect blend of solid self defense and classical principles.
In this newest DVD John bases the entire disc on how to throw one punch, the Vertical Drop. Taking that, along with his motion-movement-technique method, he not only teaches you how to generate more power than your ever thought possible, but how to build a whole set of self defense reactions based on the Vertical Drop. You would be surprised seeing us work together: John 6’7″ with a very direct fighting and my 5’8″ frame doing classical martial training. Yet when it comes to hands on, most of the moves are very close to one another. This is fighting style that takes what you already have and boils it down to the essentials.
Learn how to really punch, and with John’s permission for our customers, at a substantial discount.
Jan
6
2012
6
2012
Chi Kung and Qigong Books for the New Year
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The New Year brings the return to Plum of a couple of old friends—Mr. Qigong, a Taoist fellow, and Mr. Chi Kung, a Buddhist Monk. They shake hands and meet on the same page, joined by other friends of similar persuasion.
Confused? Don’t be! Just visit them and their cousins, by clicking the images…
Jan
5
2012
5
2012
The Knights of Kung Fu
Here is another word I would like to add to our martial vocabulary: Wu Xia (Wu Hsia). This translates pretty well into the English term, Knight-errant. Read more →
Dec
31
2011
31
2011
Training: Arms like Banners
Sometimes the thing that looks the easiest is the most difficult. Sometimes to get across the street you have to take a trip around the whole town. Some skills require you to reach right in there and re-program what you and everyone your know always thought was obvious. Read more →
Dec
28
2011
28
2011
QA: Tai Chi Ball
Q: I have what I hope is a quick and easy question for you. I see that you and Ted are fans of tai chi ball training. What advice would you have on the kind of ball one should use for starting out and then as one progresses as far as weight, size and material (e.g. wood, basketball, medicine ball, etc.) to achieve positive results. Thanks. ~S.S.
A: Of course, in the old days, they used medium weight wooden carved balls. My suggestion is to have a range; Read more →
Dec
28
2011
28
2011
Year of The Dragon Starts Early at Plum
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About a week ago, we posted an article about our efforts to rescue and revive lost, scarce, or out of print texts and DVDs.
We continue that momentum this week with a long-sought-after book: Dragon Fist Rubbing Bridge, or Lung Ying Mor Kiu. This text, in both Chinese and English, is a rare book on the Southern Style of Dragon Style Fist, co-authored by C S Tang. We have, literally, had customers wait a year or more for this book. If you’re one of them, here it is!
And can you guess the next Dragon Book to swim its way back to Plum?
Dec
24
2011
24
2011
Yang Ban Hou style Tai Chi
The second son of Yang Lu Chan was named Ban Hou. He developed the Yang style to a high degree of fighting skill, so much so that not many people actually wanted to study from him. This is possibly a reason that it is only in the last few years that his style has started to gain many followers. This is Jiang Jian Ye’s TWO DVD series teaching the entire set. As usual the instruction is clear and repeated numerous times. Over four hours of instruction.
Resource: 81 Movement Yang Ban Hou form (A very good rendition by Yu XiaoLin)
Dec
21
2011
21
2011
Midnight and Midwinter
At this time of the year I think about two things: giving and darkness. Read more →
