SHAOLIN TEMPLE BOXING page 3

One of the oldest continuous styles of Kung Fu in the world. Famous the world over. Associated with the birthplace of Chan (Zen) meditation. Shaolin, what more is there to say?

VCD#1610 Southern Shaolin Shoulder Pole
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English

An unusual weapon from Southern Shaolin. 

What appears to be one monster of a weapon, something like a gigantic cigar. The applications of this weapon are strong and quite clear, with no misinterpretation: a blow to the head is a blow, period. There are even bag exercises to teach timing and flogging technique and to include with throws and hooking strikes. All other applications feature two young, fierce men showing application and heart. BUYER BEWARE: the picture on the cover shows a long thin pole with a hook at the end, but the actual weapon demonstrated is more like a thick telephone pole.

VCD#1746 Shaolin Six Harmony Partner Staff Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English

The Six Harmony series in Shaolin concentrates on partner practices. This one, with a staff, is no different. Here is a medium sized set with each section repeated on each side. Tight sticks movements in short series with pauses in between. An authentic Shaolin relic. This might be an example of the old Kung Fu saying, “Easy to learn. Hard to perfect.”

Shaolin Head Guard Xin Yi Fighting
Xin Yi is the older ancestor of Xing Yi. This is the official Shaolin form showing the Temple branch of the style. Some say Xin Yi developed in the Shaolin Temple but there is little evidence of this assertion. Nonetheless, teacher Liu Hai Ke shows, in our opinion, a more rhythmic and respectable version than many of the pseudo-monks we have seen. Having spent years in the Shaolin style we are saddened by what is more of a concession to popular ideas than representation of a sophisticated and ancient style. This form shows strong explosive movements which strike out and hook on the way back. The form, without applications is repeated with Chinese then English commentary and breakdowns.

This two person set is short and powerful. It is particularly appropriate to young, vigorous students. Much arm conditioning and symmetrical movements crowd this fast and furious but essentially simple form. This version, from Liu Hai Ke of the famous Ta Gou school, has his student perform and accurate and very learnable rendition of this classic set. In all truthfulness many of the movements are stylized for “arm boxing purposes” rather than, say, self defense. On the other hand the bridge (forearm) skills involved are a part of authentic Shaolin training.

By Shi Yong Kan 33rd generation
The Shaolin Cane is a square headed thick wooden and metal instrument. The movements of this form are powerful and definite. The cane looks to have significant weight and, like the Big Knife, might be useful for developing "heavy" power. The actions include striking, chopping, hooking and smashing. The movements are single and double handed and left and right. Some interesting changes from hand to hand and around the back. One of the rarer cane forms.

VCD#491 Shaolin style Chi Mei Staff
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English

By Shi Guo Gong Shaolin chief coach
The Chi Mei (Eyebrow height) staff is indeed one of the key stick sets of Shaolin. It is famous from the days when thirteen monks, armed with staves, rescued Emperor Tang Wang at the beginner of the Tang Dynasty. The movements are simple and almost "primitive". Though not specifically named so, the stick shows the distinctive uppercut motions of the LuoHan branch of Shaolin style. What's particular about this set is that each hand is held at the typical 1/3 length position but with very little sliding and hand transformations. This might be one of the inspirations for Okanawan stick work. It is powerful, clear and very learnable.

VCD#488 Shaolin style Damo Cane
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English

By Feng Yan
DaMo is the Chinese name of Boddhidharma the founder of Shaolin as a style the transmitter of his style of Buddhism to China. This is a traditional cane set. Its construction is a large pick-like head set at right angles to the shaft. In this case most of the spinning moves are done hanging onto the head and twirling the cane very fast. There are also strong strikes with the head along with some whirling, twirling and spinning attacks. The cane is famous for its ingenuity of use nothing like what you might at first assume when considering such a humble instrument.

VCD#495 Shaolin style Shaolin Pu Dao
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English

By Pan Jing
The Shaolin Pu Saber is a prizewinner in national competitions. In essence, the Pu Tao is a broadsword with a long handle which adds tremendously to the speed and leverage of the weapon. Also sometimes known as the Bandit Knife this is a beautiful blend of broadsword and short staff. This version is a fast and furious one with lightning fast twirling motions and body turns. Intermediate to advanced skill level but learnable and doable from the VCD. A neat weapon.

VCD#496 Shaolin style Spring/Autumn Knife
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English

This is the classic weapon that has been around for two thousand years. It is the "heavy" weapon of the Shaolin system and aids in imparting dropping power to the player. This is a respectable version of the weapon. Almost all classical actions with the weapon are represented including body turning actions such as spinning the knife over the shoulder. While this performance is a little fast due the lightness of the weapon, the movements are still accurate and traditional giving the actions of this well loved Kung Fu weapon.

VCD#492 Shaolin style Rolling Double Sabers
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English

By Jiang Shi Jie, professional wushu coach. A pretty dynamic and energetic version of the "grandparent weapons" namely the double sabers. In judging the double sabers we watch footwork to test the skill. This set uses very aggressive footwork with running, jumping and, as the name implies, rolling on the ground in the famous "flower" movement. Most of the movements here are traditional and functional though there is some fancier interpretation.

VCD#504 Shaolin style Meteor Hammers
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese/English