Books on Yi Quan (Da Cheng Chuan)
Intent Boxing (Great Achievement Boxing)

BK#ECK69 WuJiShi Breathing Exercise
from the teachings of Cai Song Fang
101 pages, softbound, illustrations US $11.95

#ECK71 Chi Gong
The Ancient Chinese Way to Health
by Paul Dong and Aristide H. Esser
212 pages, illustrations and photos, softbound $14.95

Paul Dong's former book Empty Force (see below) is a well known (and some would say notorious) treatment of Chi Gong's esoteric and definitely controversial methods such as projecting energy through space. Dong covers many aspects as the Table of Contents will attest:

• How Chi Gong works on cancer
• Empty Force - the Mystery of Chi
• The Magic Palm and the One Finger Art
• How to perform Chi Gong
• What is Chi Gong

We believe that Mr. Dong believes. We also think that if you are really interested in the subject this is a book you should read. For those who are already convinced, Dong will be speaking their language. To those who may believe that here is a real subject for real exploration, Dong will probably seem to have already capitulated too easily. Skepticism and cynicism are often differentiated by the slightest shade of coloring. There is much in the realm of Chi Gong which we have seen with our own eyes and felt with a thorough conviction. There is also a plentitude of silliness and quackery. All in all the subject itself bears scrutiny and, we think, rewards time spent. Chi Gong has a solid grounding, for instance, in martial practice. It's how far you can go with it that's the sticking point.

#ECK73 Empty Force: The Power of Chi for Self-Defense and Energy Healing
Paul Dong and Thomas Raffill
179 pages illustrated $16.95 PLUM price US $13.95

"Empty Force, or Ling Kong Jing, is an extraordinary technique that harnesses the power of chi (the body's vital energy), enabling masters of the art to defend themselves against opponents and heal themselves and others without physical contact. Through the practice of this method, one gains mastery of the mind and spirit and gives rise to a physical force that can affect others—a powerful maifestation of the achievement of harmony wth nature. "

There is little doubt that Empty Force is the most controversial of topics from the area of Kung Fu and Chi Kung. This is a reissue of one of the first books written in English on the subject.

• The Mystery of Chi
• The Empty Force
• The Empty Force Masters
• The Great Debate
• Martial Arts, Tai Chi and Chi Kung
• The Healing Power
• A "How-To" Guide to the Empty Force
• The Students Speak

Other books on Chi Kung (Qigong)

#EXY88 DaChengQuan: GREAT ACHIEVEMENT BOXING
by Wang Xuan Jie
English 119 pages, illustrated, softbound
US $8.95

We strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in the core of Kung Fu (WuShu) training. This doesn't necessarily mean we agree with everything in the book but it is worth a read. This book in about the style known as Da Cheng Quan (later as Yi Quan) developed in the 20th century by Wang Xiang Zhai. One of the purposes of Da Cheng Quan was to modernize and simplify WuShu training. Wang was very out spoken and critical and so is the author Wang Xuan Jie. Not only does this book outline the seven methods of practicing DCQ but it has a number of really thought-provoking essays critical of WuShu training. If you think it's only recently people have criticized forms, shadow boxing, too many techniques , etc. then you are mistaken. This book talks about the instructor-student relationship, doing and learning, combat skills and more. While not some claims of Da Cheng Quan's practitioners may be exaggerated and misleading, there are many things in this translation to think about. Methods of fighting and practicing are also outlined. Read about the break from the classical before the JKD thing was even a germ of an idea.

#EXY89 DaCheng Kung Fu
- The Truth of Chinese Martial Arts
by Wang Xuan Jie
English 98 pages, photographed,
softbound, wrap cover
US $22.95

This little volume (around 5 1/4 X 7 1/4) is the "other" book in English by Wang Xuan Jie, and much more difficult to find. Wang is the "youngest" and favored disciple of Wang Xiang Zhai: the creator of Da Cheng or Great Achievement boxing. Wang Xiang Zhai, was himself a student of the famous Xing Yi boxer, Guo Yun Shen. He definitely had a mission in life. He wanted to revivify Chinese martial arts which had taken many blows to the ego from Japanese and Western opponents. He cut right to the core of the problem by criticizing many "outmoded" training methods, especially the practice of forms. He also wrote a number of scathing editorials critiquing numerous aspects of WuShu. He tried to simplify the art but keep the Chinese character with its strong emphasis on internal training. Da Cheng was developed which later became Yi Quan, a very popular style at the moment.

There is a bit of concern in the Wu Shu community that the many victories claimed by the Da Cheng group are somewhat exaggerated since there are said to be records of open matches with Da Cheng teachers losing in, for instance, Shang Hai. (We're hinting at research projects here more than criticizing styles. Anyone who doesn't known about the exaggeration rampant in Chinese martial arts is, indeed, new to the scene.) Be that as it may, many of the DaCheng criticisms are well-founded and interesting. If you think forms, set techniques, and many other aspects of Chinese martial arts have never come under the critical light that people like Bruce Lee shone, you don't know the history of the art. This book is illustrated not by line drawings but photographs of Wang himself demonstrating the methods of practice for the art. Wang was designated by the Founder to be capable of passing on this art.

#EXY91Warriors of Stillness
Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts Volume #1
by Jan Diepersloot
English 226 pages, illustrated, softbound, oversized
US $24.95

Jan Diepersloot is an Yi Quan practitioner who has studied under Fong Ha, Han Xing Yuan, Yu Pen Xi, Cai Song Fang and Sam Tam. This first volume in his two book series is devoted to standing practice and the four basic actions of Peng (Ward Off), Lu (Rollback), Ji (Press) and An (Suppress). The author's emphasis is on practice of Standing postures supplemented by Push Hands style exercises. With unusual graphix (to say the least) he goes into a lot of information on the nature and practice of the meditative aspects found in martial arts. The foundation for this first volume is Yang Tai Chi. He talks about the postures themselves with a very thorough set of details. He not only concentrates on health benefits but the Issuing of Power and the general principles of body alignment and spine integrity. Many details on this practice. A well known book.