KaiMen

We are tempted to blame the Year of the Fire Horse for our long sabbatical from posting, which took off and has never stopped running.

And we have so many new titles! Everytime we sit down to review and catalogue them, something comes up and defeats our intention. For example: the building which has been home to both Plum and our studio for 35 years sold, and we were given 30 days notice. We’ve been lucky enough to find, at least, a temporary home for Plum, so the move should be seamless, but our students may be practicing in the parks until we find a new concrete floor to impress.

Below is a preview of some titles coming up. If you want to order now, click the image to add it to the shopping cart — all are available. If you prefer to wait for the fuller descriptions, we’ll let you know when we have posted those items to the site.

Shaolin Authentic Tradition: 18 Luohan Qigong, Volumes 1 & 2

Shaolin Authentic Tradition, Vol 1: 18 Luohan Qigong

Shaolin Authentic Tradition: 18 Luohan Qigong, Vol 2

This beautiful hardcover, 2 volume set is the definition of a labor of love. Taking Sifu Brian Bateman 15 years to translate from classical Chinese, it was the late Sifu Lee Kam Wing’s birthday wish that these volumes be published.
In Volume 1, Sifu Lee demonstrates each move of the Qigong as practiced in the Seven Star and Northern lineages of Praying Mantis Kung Fu.
Volume 2 presents the the original 18 Luohan Qigong Manual, in both Chinese and English, transcribed by GM Lo Kwang Yum and passed down to disciples in the lineage. 

Volume 1: $55, Volume 2: $45, Set: $100 discounted to $90. Click each title to go to fuller description, and to order.

Eighteen Iron Buddhas: Iron Palm Training & Fighting Applications

Advanced Tiger Claw Double Knives

Not one but TWO new titles from the prolific Sifu Paul Koh.

In Sifu Koh’s bold and generous style come 2 new entries in his ever-expanding library, Eighteen Iron Buddhas: Iron Palm Training & Fighting Applications; and Advanced Tiger Claw Double Knives. Both are full-color, oversized, easily accessible and, honestly, exciting presentations of the traditional skills and training needed to master both the hand and the weapon.

Each title is $45.95, and any two books ordered from Sifu Koh’s collection bring an additional 10% Plum discount. Click images to add to cart.

Essence of Short Weapons: Elbow and Dagger Forms

New in the Northern Shaolin Long Fist Essence series comes a book on Short Weapons, specifically, the Elbow and Dagger Forms. Sifus Aviles, Chin and Tsou have created a unique layout for their titles showing multiple views, movement patterns and detailed instruction for each routine, including overhead illustrations. 

Books on short weapons are surpisingly scarce, especially in the northern tradition, so it is a treat to get two different forms in one book.

Book is $29.95 with a Plum price of $27.95; click image to add to the shopping cart.

Principle-Driven Skill Development: Teaching 101

Many good teachers consider compiling their teaching techniques and approach into a book, but Sifu Russ Smith has actually accomplished this daunting task. A companion volume to his Principle-Driven Skill Development book, this volume presents a comprehensive plan for teaching — not just a plan for the skills themselves, but a big-picture look at organizing how to teach, how to apprehend and engage students, and how to transfer this traditional information to the next generation. Lest this sound like just another talkie book on how to run a studio, let me assure you it is not: it is a well-considered manual on teaching and translating basic martial skills.

The book is $39.95, and purchased with Sifu Smith’s Principle-Driven Skill Development book brings a 10% discount to both. Click image to add to the shopping cart.