Various ANIMAL Styles

Animal observation and imitation is an ancient and honored part of Kung Fu history. Many styles have at least some imitative technique. The Chinese have long learned from and been enlightened by their relationship to Nature. In the many centuries of Kung Fu's refinement, many styles have incorporated and "smoothed over" animals actions so that, in some cases, they are present but barely visible. In the styles listed here they are quite evident, not only the actions but the characteristic postures and expressions of these animal-totems.



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#ECB99 Shaolin WHITE CRANE Kung Fu
by Lorne Bernard
268 pages, softbound
US $27.95

"In life there come few opportunities to train with a fantastic martial artist, like in his home in Malaysia, and get in depth understanding of his art and all of its subtleties. For most of us, this is something far beyond our wildest dreams. For Shifu Lorne Bernard, this was his experience. Now he had taken it upon himself to share all he has gained with you."

So starts the blurb on the back of this new book. Mr. Bernard indeed delivers on this because this book is a work of love. Not only does he introduce us to White Crane but he makes many comments from the standpoint of someone who actually cares about his art and the misinterpretations that are starting to eat away at the core of Kung Fu.

White Crane is an interesting style particuarly for those who are researching the origins of Karate. It is also a style strongly represented in Taiwan. In addition there are some very interesting parallels involved in the relationship between White Crane and Wing Chun.

Items in this book include:
•An historical overview of Southern China's Fujian province martial arts legacy
•A detailed history of White Crane
•Two person practice forms
•Street situations and real fighting combinations
•Traditional conditioning methods
•An overview of weaponry assoicated with this Southern Kung Fu system

One of the foremost proponents of the system in North America is Shifu Lorne Bernard, based in Montreal. In addition to teaching at two schools in the Montreal region, Shifu Bernard has arranged for White Crane to be taught at two major universities: Concordia and Universite du Quebec: Montreal.

Mr. Bernard is a dedicated instructor who expresses concerns shared by many of his fellow teachers. He is frank but kind. He does something few other martial writers do; he mentions discussing his issues with friends and respected teachers from other styles. A profitable book in many ways.

Learn more about Fujian White Crane Boxing

 

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#ecb98 Shaolin WHITE CRANE Kung Fu
by Yang Jwing Ming
337 pages, softbound
US $ 36.95 Plum Price $32.95

Probably Yang Jwing Ming's best book. He studied with Chung Gin Tsao in Taiwan in the early days so his White Crane is respectable. If you are familiar with Yang's books you may have the same general objections we do. As a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering he has developed his own take on the bio-electrical origin of Ch'i. While there may be some validity to his view he repeats it, and many other ideas in each and every book he produces. So, in essence, if you have bought one book - they tend to be a little expensive - you are paying over and over for the same information. If you eliminate this theoretical second then the martial content of the books if often very little. He shows basic White Crane arm exercises and then their applications. Over 400 photographs of good quality clearly show the actions of his techniques. Other sections include striking equipment, Fa Jin training, and historical information. No forms are included.