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

KY009 The Complete Book of Yiquan by C S Tang Regular price: $49.95 PLUM price $39.95, 416 pages, illustrations and photos, softbound, oversize At this point in time, YQ may well be one of the most exotic martial arts around. To some, the mystery derives from the unusual convergence of standing practice and fighting methods. C S Tang has taken on the task of making the mystical understandable. We recently talked to Sifu Tang (see interview) and found that this book is the result of years of training, an official position with the HK YQ association and a library of personal YQ film documenting many masters of this art. This is a compendium of the subject. He covers history, legends, the influence on Bruce Lee, Tang's own experiences, the structure of YQ, testing structure, issuing energy, strength testing, vocalizations, combat skills, Push Hands, sparring, weapons, advanced footwork and more. Here are a few paragraphs ... Concepts Standing practice Fighting Revolution     Quantity

KQ003 Qigong of the Center, Essence of Taijiquan Volume 1 Warriors of Stillness, Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts by Jan Diepersloot $24.95, English 226 pages, illustrated, softbound, oversized 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. Quantity

KT059 The Tao of Yi QuanVolume 2 Warriors of Stillness, Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts "The Method of Awareness in the Martial Arts" by Jan Diepersloot $24.95, English 276 pages, illustrated, softbound, oversized 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 second volume, written five years after the first, takes us into the world of Yi Quan (also known as Da Cheng Quan). This style based in Xing Yi with attributes from Ba Gua (the walking) and Tai Chi (the issuing) is meant to be a radical "condensation" of the salient aspects of Chinese Martial Arts. In keeping with this philosophy there are not forms to speak of but a strong emphasis on standing practice. This book goes through this along with some Shi Li (testing) practice in great detail. There are also walking and partner exercises. Diepersloot is a believer - though there has been some controversy about claims in this style. In one section he brings up the problematic issue of KONG QI or "empty Chi" which is the ability to transmit Chi through without contact. He sites the well known Bay area teacher Mr. Yu who taught and impressed many teacher of Kung Fu in this area by moving people without touch (excepting, of course, Anthony Chan). Some say it is the gullibility of the practitioners (not an impossible explanation) and some say it is the real deal. This is one of the first books ever written on Yi Quan in English and should be on the shelf of those interested in the subject. It has a straight forward and dedicated voice whether or not you buy every idea. Quantity

NEW!! KM016 Masters of Perception Volume 3 Warriors of Stillness, Meditative Traditions in the Chinese Martial Arts "The Method of Awareness in the Martial Arts" by Jan Diepersloot $29.95, English 276 pages, illustrated, softbound, oversized 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. Jan D’s books on Yi Quan, standing meditation and the entire theme of internal training are, when taken as a whole, a story of a quest. Confronted with a way of thinking alien not only to Westerners but, more and more, to anyone— even Chinese— living in the space-frame of the modern world JD decided to avoid two common traps in dealing with this new and exotic body of information: he did not become an China-clone repeating standard theology without the benefit of being raised in the culture and he did not chose the superficial explanations that believe just about anything and cloak it in pseudo-science. Many martial practitioners may feel the entire realm of “standing” nei gong training is so filled with quackery, silliness, ignorance and wishful thinking that it must live outside the boundaries of real martial studies. In many cases they are right. There are many quills indeed on this porcupine. Some people discount the whole process. Even seasoned martial artists might say, “Sure there are benefits from standing but for fighting?... puh-leas.” This is the third book in a work that has taken years. This volume records a new level of challenge and information. While he struggles with this JD he brings up his views and speculations on many aspects of standing practice. He discusses, and often with new insight, the different views of balance, the true idea of central equilibrium, the need for sphericity, issuing energy, and benefits to health. As the book progresses JD even delves into the nature of transcendence in the martial artist’s life. If you have any interest in empty energy, standing practice, qi movement and the such you should read JD’s books. He brings to the discussion the kind of openness with his own experiments and feelings, and theories bolstered by a lifetime of reading and thinking, that make a discussion possible. For teachers and advanced students there will be many ideas here, even uncomfortable ones which can, sometimes, be the best kind. Quantity

KW028 WuJiShi Breathing Exercise from the teachings of Cai Song Fang $16.95, 101 pages, softbound, illustrations When I first stumbled on this text I was unaware of Yi Quan. Therefore my reaction to the book was without concern for its martial origins and applications. I was taken with the comments on its relation to my own first Taiji style, Yang Shi, and the use of the WuJiShi practice by my Great-Grandteacher, Yang Chen Fu. Cai supports this by claiming the WuJiShi was passed down from Yang to Ye De Mi then Jin Ren Lin and then to himself. Cai is responsible for bringing this method to the South and the Guangzhou area. Though quite tehnical in parts, this is a small gem of inspirational teaching: solid, foundational Qigong in a world suddenly hustling faddish and questionble techniques. Whether you subscribe to the Yi Quan general theory or not, this is a fine source of information. Quantity

KC006 Chi Gong The Ancient Chinese Way to Health by Paul Dong and Aristide H. Esser $14.95, 212 pages, illustrations and photos, softbound OUT OF STOCK! Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item. 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. Quantity

KE006 Empty Force: The Power of Chi for Self-Defense and Energy Healing Paul Dong and Thomas Raffill $16.95 PLUM price $13.95, 179 pages illustrated , softbound "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) Quantity

Out of stock... Please place me on your WANT LIST for this item. KD001 DaChengQuan: GREAT ACHIEVEMENT BOXING by Wang Xuan Jie 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.

KD011 DaCheng Kung Fu - The Truth of Chinese Martial Arts by Wang Xuan Jie $22.95, English 98 pages, photographed, softbound, wrap cover $34.95, English 98 pages, This rare edition in hardback comes complete with dust jacket. Limited supply! 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. Paperback   Hardback Edition

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