Considering its popularity outside of China, there are far too few good books on the Southern family of boxing. These can include Hung Gar, Choy Lai Fut (each of which you can find under their separate categories), Crane Boxing, Dragon Boxing, Mok Gar and many others. These styles tend to be "short fist" although there are exceptions such as Choy Lai Fut. Stances are strong and internal and external exercises are often taught almost simultaneously.

Other Southern forms which might interest you...
Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Animal Boxing, Tiger Boxing

Tsai-Mok boxing Southern Shaolin - ESF89
By Lau Biu
$21.95 192 pages, photographs, softbound, learn about Mok Gar

Tsai Mo as derived from old sifu, Liu Shi Zhong (Lau Sze Chung), is a Southern Shaolin system. This book is a no nonsense exposition on the family hybrid styles, the cross between Tsai and Mok (Mandarin: Cai & Mo). The majority of the book is devoted to APPLICATIONS. It's an excellent introduction to the style because it shows so many phases of person-to-person training. One of the early sections show quite a few different Bridge exercises (partners crossing their forearms against one another). The Southern blocking exercises and positions are strong and flavorful with the typical Southern "sunken bridge" predominating. The style utilizes many finger strikes and many of the movements look like Wing Chun or Southern mantis done with dynamic stances. Next are clawing movements, locking moves and the famous kicking motions associated with Mo style. There is even a section on the principles of the style applied to weapons such as staff and umbrella.

#ESF92 Ngo Cho:
Southern Shaolin Five Ancestor Kung Fu
by Jose G. Paman
181 pages, softbound, US $16.95

This new book adds valuable information to the knowledge we have of Five Ancestors style. As in the case of many great Southern styles the popularity of Ngo Cho is strong but highly concentrated. In the Philippines, for example, it is well known and highly respected as it is in some parts of Southern China. The combination of five styles is well surveyed by author Panam. Basics, which are essential in this system, are shown along with techniques and two important forms Three Battles and, for the first time, Double Banner Boxing. The author knows his stuff having taught this style for over thirty years. If you are interested in Five Ancestors or just Southern Kung Fu this is an important work. In addition it gives additional and strong information for the historical roots of Karate which now, it is apparent, was highly influenced by Fukien Kung Fu.

Background information on this style . See the DVD of this Kung Fu.
save 10+% for buying the text and DVD together, only $41.95

#ESF90 Pak Mei
A Dedication
by Robert Yandle
104 pages, softbound, US $14.95

The title "Dedication" is very appropriate here. Yandle's dedication to his subject is obvious. He outlines the nature of the White Eyebrow style and yet includes no examples of the movements such as a section on forms or applications. In some ways this is an tourbook of the famous Southern Kung Fu with very few concrete examples. He deals interestingly with Pak Mei's somewhat unsubstantiated history. He gives insights into its basic theory, precise nature of the moves and scientific approach to fighting. He has access to major fifth generation figures and even includes discussions with non Pak Mei experts such as the well-known Li De Yin. There are key theories here and a refreshing no-nonsense approach to the material that characterizes British and European practitioners. This is a little like a typical instructional text cut in half with the form, basics and techniques removed. But much of what Yandle says addresses the new seriousness we see where finally there are enough qualified and experienced practitioners who want to get at the essence of Kung Fu. Much of what he relates in this text applies to martial studies in general and that makes it worthwhile to anyone with even a passing interest in the style spotlighted.
Tell me more about Pak Mei style.

#ESF91 Five Ancestor Fist Kung Fu
by Alex L. Co

A nice book on a relatively rare, though famous style. This is a perfect example of our belief that the lines between Kung Fu, Karate and Kenpo are sometimes blurry indeed. That isn't to say they are not distinct styles but that they are not always distinct at all points. This is a good introduction by the author of the first english language Kung Fu book in the Philippines. The Five Ancestor is a Southern Shaolin branch that blends five important styles of short arm fighting. It is direct, powerful and compact. The cross-style study with Karate is particularly fascinating and those Karate-ka - and especially Uechi Ryu stylists- interested in the origins of that most important kata: Sanchin, will definitely want a copy of Five Ancestors.
More on Five Ancestor Style

Check our discounted price on this Hurt Book

#EKF78 Phoenix-Eye Fist
A Shaolin Fighting art of Northern China
Tjoa Khek Kiong
Donn Draeger
152 pages, US $17.95

The first book in English on the centuries-old Phoenix-Eye Fist style of Kung Fu. A short arm, independent system within Shaolin, Phoenix-Eye resembles White Eyebrow in its compactness and no-nonsense self defense approach. Developed by two sisters, Chu Gar (Chu being the family's name) is not only respected as a fighting art but often associated with royal families especially of the Hakka minority lineage. This volume provides a thorough introduction to every aspect of this fascinating art. Clearly written with nice layout, much background and cultural theory and more than 600 photos, this book is an invaluable manual for learning and understanding this remarkable fighting art.

This text, taken from an original native source, bears the stamp of Donn Draeger and Chambers work. Done with pride and concern for the material this is one of the first authentic books on Kung Fu ever written in English. Draeger deserves our respect as demonstrating a kind of genius for preserving the intent and the organic integrity of each martial art he tried to record. A good book. NOTE: There is another edition of this easily available but we don't think it is a better version, just different. NOTE #2: We know the subtitle claims it is a style from Northern China but its structure is so obviously Short Arm it has been considered as a Southern style for a long time.

More about this style...

#ESF94 The Shooting Star of Hung Family Fist
by Ho Lap Tim
English/Chinese
179 pages, softbound, US $10.95

Master Ho studied from Deng Fang a disciple of the famous Wong Fei Hung. From his deep study of Hung he has developed this version of the "Shooting Star Form" with correct and definite elements of the Tiger and the Crane arts. This is perfectly permissible within traditional lineage as SiFu Ho has created a beautiful and obviously completely classical form that retains Hung's "flavor" while giving a new emphasis to certain combinations. The entire form encompasses 86 postures and has key elements from not only the Tiger/Crane but the 5 Element and Ten Animal forms of Hung Family Fist. Once again proof that the traditional methods can be flexible, beautiful and creative.

The illustrations in this text are of Sifu Ho himself performing all postures for the "Shooting Star Fist".

#ESF95 Dragon Form Fist
Leo Chu & Francis Au
Chinese (traditional) /English
64 pages, US $10.95

A few of these great little books started to come out in the BLE (Bruce Lee Era). This one, probably from Choy Li Fut, is a Southern Style Dragon Fist. This little book has the following: 64 pages, Large photos of the form, small photos at the bottom of applications for the movements, Chinese and English facing text and a picture of the author playing with the famous Shek Kin at the back.This is one of those fun, learn-a-form-in-an-afternoon types of books. But neat.

#ESF96 Shaolin 10 Animal Form
by Kwan Tak Hing & Leung Ting
English, 208 pages, softbound, US $ 19.95

Printed in Hong Kong this book shows the form and skills of the Southern Shaolin Ten Animals. This is shown by noted Kung Fu movie actor and martial enthusiast Kwan Tak Hing. Mr. Kwan is a famous movie actor from the longest series of Kung Fu films ever made, those devoted to Wong Fei Hong the master of the Tiger/Crane style. He initially received his training from Southern master, Sun Pak.

This is a well done book produced with the help of Leung Ting, noted Wing Chun teacher. The movements of this Southern Style form include ground rolling and many sophisticated hand actions. Each animal is shown with some application and introductory comments on the nature of the different style:

Dragon Tiger Snake Leopard Crane

Lion Elephant Horse Monkey Bear

Not as common as its Northern cousin, Southern Shaolin Fist is a key style in those styles of Kung Fu such as Fut Gar, Choy Lee Fut and Hung Fist. This is a good introduction to one of the best known forms.

#ESF98 Hung Gar: Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Ling Nam
by Kwong Wing Lam
240 pages, softbound, photographs
US $ 29.95

"Never before have the secret oral teachings of the Hung Gar style appeared in English. Sifu Wing Lam, who traces his Hung Gar lineage to the Southern Shaolin Temple of the 1700s, transforms "back room" teachings into clear and concise how-to instructions. This is the complete Hung Gar book that martial students have been waiting for:

• Learn about the 300-year history of Hung Gar through recent findings and colorful stories about Hung Gar Masters and traditions.
• Study the underlying principles of Hung Gar and their sets: The Twelve Bridges, The Five Animals and the Five Elements.
• Explore the finer points of Hung Gar basics.
• Acquire applications and techniques such as blocks, arm locks, takedowns, chops, strikes and footwork.
• Learn about traditional conditioning exercises and injury treatment.
• Examine the details of Hung Gar hand and weapon sets.
• Learn about Internal Training using the Iron Wire set.

Whether you are curious as to how Hung Gar differs from other styles, are a beginning Hung Gar student, or have practiced for many years, this book will add to your understanding of the Hung Gar style."

This is a catalogue of the Hung system. There is no form shown in its entirety. Rather, this is an overview of the entire system including some interesting notes on Kung Fu medicine. Also included are some good notes on Southern "Ling Nam" Kung Fu; many historical photographs and salient anecdotes about masters and grandmasters.

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DRAGON FIST RUBBING BRIDGE - TC 203
Lung Ying Mor Kiu
by Chow Fook & C S Tang
Traditional Chinese Characters and English, 255 Pages Hardbound, $26.95

This is a rare book on the Southern Style of Dragon Style Fist. Some of this is in ENGLISH, most notably the instructions accompanying the form, and an incomplete introduction to Chow Fook. Among other sections those in Chinese cover: lineage, history of the Dragon Style, Key points and characteristics of the style, Details of the form Lung Ying Mor Kiu and information on the Founder and Lam Yiu Kwai, famous boxer. The co-author is C S Tang, a noted Bagua practitioner and student of Liu JingRu.