Snake Fist Style and Drunken Boxing

JO-SI RONDIE CHEN began his study under Grandmaster Chen Sha Hai at the age of five in Beijing, China. He also claiims to have come from generations of Northern Snake Fist teachers. Besides learning Snake Fist, Jo-Si Chen learned Drunkard's Boxing and Wu Shu.

Chen is an honorary member of the Bejing Wu Shu team.

NOTE: See next box about the whole ESPY martial series...

DVD#21055
Training and Beginner Form

Sifu Rondie Chen shows the basics of the Northern Snake fist style. Most of the instruction is centered around a few of Chen’s younger students so there is an emphasis on strength and stretching particularly appropriate to younger martial students. First he shows Dragon Fist Palm and then a very long kicking and stepping set. Toward the end of the DVD he shows the basics stretching and basic actions of Drunken Boxing. Some fast hand exercises and applications are shown.

NTSC: $19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.
A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

DVD#21056
Intermediate Snake Form & Technique

This second level form of the Snake style is quite long with a large quantity of acrobatics, short rear kicks, jump over and other movements. We have to be honest that, due to the structure of the forms, we have some real doubts as to the authenticity of the style. All of the forms in the series look glued together and constructed with too many movements and a very miscellaneous structure. Chen’s younger students have very little refinement in their technique and are far from mastering the skills involved in the form. Chen himself moves with an assurance that his students can barely represent. Many of the applications are also questionable and you get the feeling that they are the children’s versions. We’re talking punches to the shin and elbows to the thigh, etc.

NTSC: $19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.
A little bit about ESPY-TV DVD series

NEW ! DVD #29929 Combat Iron Palm:
Setting the Foundation
by Dale Dugas

Coiling Dragon Internal Arts's head instructor demonstrates how to safely train your hands in the authentic manner. This program is for dedicated students who want to learn the old school way of training the hands.

Topics include:
"1. Equipment acquisition/construction and use
2. Use of Authentic Iron Palm medicine: what it is, when to use it.
3. The four basic methods trained.
4. Internal exercises that will propel your training to the next level!!
5. These and much more!!"

$39.95

DVD #18064 The Rope Dart: The Kung Fu Weapon
Eric Shou Li Yao

Here is the companion DVD for Eric Yao's book on this famous weapon. In this DVD he uses a double screen technique to show the dart at simultaneous two angles allowing the viewer to see the whole length of the action while also monitoring the intricacies of hand motions and controls. As most who have seen it know, the rope dart is the most sophisticated of Kung Fu weapons regarding angles, involutions and folding. It is a three dimensional course in topology where the user wraps around the elbow, knee, foot, neck or whatever and then uses increased angular momentum to accelerate the dart on its long rope. Like a Yo-Yo? Yes, and indeed some people have said that the Yo-Yo was adapted from a version of this weapon supposedly utilized in the Phillipines. Remember to wear a helmet at first.             $29.95

Click on right picture to see Eric Yao's companion book to this DVD.    

DVD #18050 Twin Hooks
Eric Shou Li Yao

Eric Yao's performance of the Tiger Hooks is rhythmic and controlled with a light touch. This tempo and attitude well preserves the general tone of the weapon. A good performance, backed by tournament competiton footage and breakdowns. Good control of the weapons and some rolling and jumping actions. No usage but the set performed without the over-extensions which so often plague this weapon.

No time listed on case, NTSC $29.95

DVD #18051 Chainwhip
Onton Chan

The chainwhip is a wonderful and exciting weapon especially if you are the one whirling it. A light whip but a good sense of mastery. Some butterfly kicks, ground rolls and bumps and jump turns. The essential actions are here and there is a nice section at the end of outtakes. You should have some familiarity with soft weapons before attempting this instrument.

No time listed on case, NTSC $29.95

DVD #18052 Drunken Sword
Eric Shou Li Yao

This is a Contemporary Wushu performance and the DVD has not only instructional material but also real competition performances filmed in Hungary and Brazil. Eric Yao has a good sense of martial movement and this adds an intensity to the Drunken Sword performance. There is also an interesting section at the end showing Yao practicing and overdubbed with comments and advice on the practice of the sword. A nice presentation and, as we have been seeing lately, a performance that spans traditional and contemporary values more elegantly.

No time listed on case, NTSC $29.95

DVD #12082 Secrets of Drunken Boxing #2
Neil Ripski

This is the SECOND Drunken Fist form in this style. The movements of this form are more complex introducing the seated stance, back rolls, different kicks. It also begins to show more of the Immortals energies. The actions indicate more imitation of the drunken flavor with body swaying, rubbing the head, etc. There are four forms total in this branch of the Drunken Fist and this one is considered interemediate to advanced. Sudden reversals of momentum, a feature of Drunken Arts, is more pronounced here.There are also sections for developing power in the style, applications of the form and other insights into this method of Kung Fu. The narration on this DVD is excellent, clear and intelligent. The setting is informal and the camera clear but basic. Teacher Ripski is enthusiastic about his style.
See Neil Ripski's book on the Eight Shadows Drunken Boxing.                                              $34.95

DVD #12083 Drunken Staff
Neil Ripski

This is a drunken form with the staff from the Eight Shadows style. The form is demonstrated and there is additonal information given in a lecture by Neil Ripski. The form itself is interesting with some acrobatics such as a staff-aided aerial side kick. Teacher Ripski is adamant about this being not Performance drunken but Authentic Kung Fu fighting drunken style and, in general, he adheres to his theme. Applauding their efforts we have to acknowledge the actual skill level shown on some of the more difficult and challenging movements to be a little rough. There is awkwardness in execution at points and skills have not been consistently mastered. On the other hand the heart is there and if you are serious about Drunken Style it's good to see other people who are equally so. 
$34.95
See Neil Ripski's book on the Eight Shadows Drunken Boxing.

DVD #12085 Secrets of Drunken Boxing #3
by Neil Ripski

This third set of the style is known as the Tumbling Immortal Boxing. It is considered an intermediate to advanced form with emphasis on body conditioning. It also enlarges on the style’s need to be able to reverse momentum. It has an interesting addition to the repertoire in its use of “sober movements” to allow the drunken practitioner an alternate attack mode. The use of Vital Point striking is explained in the instructional section. A very nice BONUS section shows Loa Wu Chang and friends practicing in the 1960’s which includes a rather nice and rare Monkey fist form.     

$34.95

See Neil Ripski's book on the Eight Shadows Drunken Boxing.     

DVD#12027 SECRETS OF IRON PALM Traditional Kung Fu

Tak Wah Eng's DVDs always take an interesting slant on the material. In this one long stretches of silent footage, often "aged", build an impressionistic view of the Iron Palm practice. Cut to Tak breaking a brick. Cut to brass rings on his wrists. Cut to him applying lineament.

On the information side we have the following chapters:
Chi Gung Warm Up Exercises
Iron Ring Training • Twisting the Stick• Holding the Jar • Catching the Sandbag • Spear Hand Training
Striking the Sand Bag • Striking the Hanging Bag • Wood Board Breaking • Brick Breaking

Each of these sections is essentially silent showing rather than telling of Tak Wah Eng's practice. All are authentic Iron Palm drills and it is interesting and informative to see his regimen actually performed. A great DVD for "following along."

$19.50

DVD#12054 Taiwan Masters Survey

This Triple DVD is a photographic record of many styles. It is also a kind of document because it records, often in very informal circumstances, the status of a number of older teachers. See below for a list of all the styles and demonstrations covered.Some of these are, basically, footage taken at work places where casually dressed practitioners show what forms they know. The first disk has many shots of Taiwanese Temples and many of the demonstrations are performed in front of them. Here is a list of the forms.

No English/ 3 Disks          $39.95

DVD#10007 18 Capture Methods

The Chinese version of Black Scorpion? Dressed in camouflage fatigues Yu Hong Jin demonstrates numerous methods of Chin Nah for downing an attacker. Actually her Chin Nah is good. And the techniques demonstrated are accurate and numerous. It's basically a one hour Chin Nah lesson with someone who knows something, for a very low price. Some of the movements are certainly more effective than others but this is the classical way to introduce the information. As a Judo player will tell you not every move, Osotogari for instance, is actually immediately effective but rather lays the foundation for all further knowledge.

About 60 Minutes: Normally sells for $19.50 Plum price   $15.95

DVD#18062 Five Animals Play

It is well known that "animal play" came into existence with the creation of the famous doctor, Hua Tou. Hua's assistant, Peng, lived to be over 90 and all information was supposedly passed from him. It was about two centuries later that the Shaolin temple developed it Five Animals. The doctor's original intent was strictly for health and encompasses imitating the movements of the Monkey, Tiger, Deer, Bear and Bird. Only wood block prints still remain of the original postures so there are many derivative versions. This is one and not bad at that. If we ever remember we have an excellent version that is probably one of the most accurate should we some day get time to record it. The Five Animals doesn't exactly exist as a Chi Kung but it might be considered a Dao Yun series. A very enjoyable exercise system.

About 60 Minutes: Normally sells for $19.50 Plum price   $15.95

DVD#18063 Eight Pieces of Brocade

The Eight Pieces of Brocade is an ancient, famous series of exercises. It is relatively easy. Divided in eight small sections it follows the principles of Chinese medicine and can be classified as not only a Qi Gong, but a very early one. First mentioned in the Song Dynasty in Yi Jian Zhi by Hong Mai, it has kept alive - though somewhat varied - for all these centuries. There are two forms of Ba Duan named Wen Duan and Wu Duan (sitting and standing) with only the standing form shown here. There are also North and South versions. Dr. Yu Ding Hai of Shanghai Chinese Medical College demonstrates clearly and slowly with much explanation.

About 60 Minutes: Normally sells for $19.50 Plum price   $15.95

One of the most famous of all Chi Kung regimens. Said by some to have been created by the culture hero, Yueh Fei. Others consider it a Shaolin original with strong roots in Yogic practice and one of the cornerstone of the style (there is indeed some evidence of this being true). Ba Duan Jin is a place where calisthenics meets Chi Kung. Not nearly as easy as many other versions this style has Shaolin flavor. Some pretty low positions but also many of the exercises are thankfully introduced in a layered fashion that allows the student to pick his punishment. Actually a crucial part of historical Kung Fu movement.

About 60 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles: Normally sells for $19.50 Plum price   $15.95

DVD#12042 72 Joints Locks of Eagle Claw Chin Na
2-person Sparring Form by Grandmaster Lily Lau

"The brutal joint locks and pressure point striking of Eagle Claw is revealed here for the first time. Known as Chin Na, this arsenal of attacks and counterattacks teaches you how to take advantage of the natural strengths and weaknesses of the human body. This amazing 2-person form trains you in the powerful techniques of Chin Na, with a "hands on" method for practice. Using this traditional sparring form, you and a partner can safely train these destructive attacks without fear of injury. Even if you train alone, just witnessing this video will reveal many fighting "secrets" of this ferocious style. Packed with joint-wrenching techniques, Grandmaster Lau reveals how you can follow the way of the Eagle to turn your fingers into destructive talons and hit anyone at their weakest points. You will learn how to bring down the fiercest opponents."

NOTE: This DVD contains sections 1 through 72 of what were originally TWO VHS tapes. This DVD is complete and shows the whole form.

90+ Minutes       $39.95