DVDs:
Drunken Boxing
There are some real questions about Drunken style. Does it really exist as a separate style? Is it for real? What exactly is the purpose? Of course movies like Jackie Chan's Drunken Master make it look so wonderful that we want there to be a drunken style regardless. Also confusing things was that, during the repressive times of the Cultural Revolution newer and more fantastic versions of Drunken Boxing were encouraged: so many that eventually the demonstration of them was discouraged. The basic idea is that Drunken Boxing is a training method applied to a style. You will note that the two teahers here who are deepest into Drunken Boxing also know other forms of Chinese Martial Arts. This is common. In calligraphy when the student is so good that he can no longer produce an inferior character he is encouraged to do calligraphy in the "running grass" style almost splashing it onto the page with abandon. Drunken style, in its openess, is somewhat like this advanced hand in calligraphy.
See a video of Neil Ripski's Drunken Boxing
|
 DVD21057 Drunken Boxing Exercise Form Level Three
This third DVD shows a complex Drunken form. The movements are not contemporary Wushu but based on traditional Kung Fu postures flavored with Drunken emphasis. The form doesn’t take up a lot of space but it does go through a lot of postures such as the wine drinking, the whirling arms overhead, ground rolling and staggering to strike with the shoulders. Rondie Chen shows the form breakdowns and then applications hidden in the form making some moves which give authority to Drunken usage and a few moves that might not look as functional but do represent the open-ended nature of Drunken boxing.
NTSC: $19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.
NOTE: JO-SI RONDIE CHEN began his study under Grandmaster Chen Sha Hai at the age of five in Beijing, China. He also claims 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 also an honorary member of the Bejing Wu Shu team.
|
 DVD21056 Intermediate Snake Fist Style Level Two
JO-Here's an intermediate form in the Snake style with complimentary techniques shown.
NTSC: $19.95 each or a 10% discount for ordering 3 or more ESPY DVDs.
|
|
 DVD#21055 Training and Beginner Form Level One
Sifu Rondie Chen shows the basics of the Northern Snake fist style. Most of the instruction is centered around a few of Chen’s 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
|
Eric Yao's Weapons DVDs
Most of these forms are wll-practiced Contemporary Wushu versions for these weapons. What we like about these presentations is that most movements for this level of weapons work is firmly based in principles of physics and therefore there is a great consistency between traditional and contemporary arts. In our opinion such usage corresponds about 80% of the time to traditonal techniques. The only differences lie in the contemporary focus on performance and the lighter weight of the weapon which does indeed allow some movements that might otherwise be difficult. With weapons like these the most important thing is clarity of instruction. These presentations are well photographed and follow of kind of self-regulating instruction where the section is shown over and over with some commentary on the sound track. You should be reasonably advanced to try these movements.
Note: We had a little trouble playing these on our Mac, didn't recognize the DVD. On the other hand we had not trouble with VTR's and Eric assures us he has tried them everywhere without problems. Just a note to those who might be concerned.
|
 DVD #18052 Drunken Sword
Eric Shou Li Yao
$29.95 No time listed on case
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.
|
Neil Ripski's Drunken Boxing See a video of Neil Ripski's Drunken Boxing
|
DVD #12086 Secrets of Drunken Dao
Sifu Neil Ripski
$34.95 No time listed on case
" The dao is a very combative yet drunken flavored look at this traditional weapon. Join Shihfu Ripski as he explains each of the traditional keywords of the weapon and accompanying drills in the first section of the DVD. Then dive into the five section form in intricate details. Discusses the Immortal "Fat Han" (Zhong Li Quan) and his affinity for Shuai Jiao (throwing techniques) and throwing his mighty weight around to help the student understand the mindset of this immortal drunkard and his dao methods, as well as looking into the footwork associated with the Shuai Jiao applications within the form. The movements are practiced and repeated many times for clarity. The different Jins are briefly discussed in appropriate movements in the form and each method is clearly discussed."
See Sifu Ripski's book on the Eight Shadows Drunken Boxing.
|
DVD #12081 NEW Secrets of Drunken Boxing #1
Sifu Neil Ripski
$34.95 No time listed on case
This is a detailed step-by-step instruction of the first Drunken Fist form in this style.Most people in martial arts know the Drunken Boxing which is often performed at tournaments and for audiences. This style is not so much performance as martial arts. The form is not so simple as to be uninteresting and is, in fact, a nice medium challenging set with drunken flavor in almost every move. There is little emphasis on gymnastics. This is not the Drunken Fist as a tournament dance.
Neil Ripski has created this updated version of his popular Drunken Boxing #1, " The old drunken 1 DVD has some warm ups and things that are not on the new one. ... Basically my plan is that the old DVDs are alright but they are 10 years old and I am much more skilled and a better teacher now than I was then, so time for an update to try and help students out even more..."
(Neil Ripski learned Ma Family Drunken Fist from Ma Qing Lung. His has also studied Wing Chun, Zui Quan, weapons and Chen Taiji. He is a certified meditation instructor from Luang Phor Viriyang, Abbot of Dhammamonkol in Bangkok, Thailand.)
See Sifu Ripski's book on the Eight Shadows Drunken Boxing.
|
DVD #12082 Secrets of Drunken Boxing #2
Neil Ripski
$34.95
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 intermediate 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.
See Sifu Ripski's Second book on this form from the Eight Shadows Drunken Boxing.
|
DVD #12083 Drunken Staff
Neil Ripski
$34.95
This is a drunken form with the staff from the Eight Shadows style. The form is demonstrated and there is additional 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
$34.95
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.
See Neil Ripski's book on the Eight Shadows Drunken Boxing.
|
|
