Chuang Tzu , living almost 2500 years ago, was what we might today term a monk. He was certainly an iconoclast. Thomas Merton was not only a monk but…
Apr
13
2012
13
2012
Nov
9
2011
9
2011
On Joseph Crandall’s Work
It was certainly not a foregone conclusion, when we started this web site, that Bagua would be as popular as it has become. We thought it would happen. Adam Hsu thought it would happen.
Nov
2
2009
2
2009
Review: Blossoms in the Spring
The book presents a straightforward but beautiful qigong routine that can be done seated, standing or reclining…
Sep
22
2009
22
2009
Review: Chinese Medicinal Teas
In “Chinese Medicinal Teas,” the authors have given us a compendium of folk formulas that can be made by lay people as well as Chinese medical practitioners.
Sep
7
2009
7
2009
Review: New York Zen
This book, a pastiche really, records the attitudes, assumptions, even obsessions, and most certainly passions required to catch the ghost of that elusive understanding people call Kung Fu.
Apr
15
2009
15
2009
Tim Cartmell’s Standing Grappling
It is the bane of self defense techniques that they may look real fine in the book, look real good in the magazine or work like a charm when demonstrated by the teacher against a helpful crash test dummy, but in the clutch they do not work at all.
Feb
26
2009
26
2009
Demystifying Tai Chi
This wasn’t the first time he had tried to get to the core of the Internal Styles and Tai Chi in particular…
Sep
11
2008
11
2008
PLUM’S Tai Chi Short Set
You might wonder what possible use a new Tai Chi set could be, given the myriad of excellent styles and sets already being taught today. But whether you are a curious beginner just entering this ancient art, or a seasoned professional with many students, the new short set recently developed by master teacher Ted Mancuso [...]
Feb
25
2008
25
2008
Anatomy of Yang Family Tai Chi
In every book where an experienced practitioner “tells it like it is” you have the potential for real benefits and, at the same time, some real confusion. “Anatomy of Yang Family Tai Chi” by Steffan de Graffenried is a perfect example of how hard it is to do the one without the other.
Nov
11
2007
11
2007
The Sword Polisher’s Record
From the first page to the last, in this book of 44 collected essays, ShihFu Hsu employs a multi-dimensional technique, discussing the art from every conceivable position, addressing countless arguments, and employing every attitude from humor to deadly seriousness.
Aug
11
2007
11
2007
Review: Praying Mantis DVD
I recently obtained a copy of Gao Jian’s first public DVD, “Six Harmonies Praying Mantis Boxing” from Plumpub.com, and decided to write this review of one of the first English language DVD, produced on this rare system of Northern Praying Mantis.
Jul
22
2007
22
2007
Movie: Crouching in the Theater
Have you noticed there is always someone from the audience who will balk at the flying sequences?
May
11
2007
11
2007
A Tooth from the Tiger’s Mouth
Tom Bisio’s book is a welcome addition to the literature on treating injuries with Chinese Medicine. It will be useful for practitioners of Chinese medicine, martial artists, and athletes.
Aug
26
2005
26
2005
BA GUA with Adam Hsu
They do not leave the practitioner thinking only, well, that was a nice demonstration but what can I get out of this ?
Mar
13
2005
13
2005
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Why would anyone but a war buff read San Guo at over 1000 pages? Because, despite the stratagems and conflicts, the bombs and ambushes, it is really one of the most beautiful illustrations of the Chinese view the relationship of human beings to Fate.
May
11
2003
11
2003
Embrace Tiger, Return to Mediocrity
It’s hard not to like Vanilla ice cream. What’s offensive about it really? On the other hand how do you feel about vanilla ice soycream?
