Plum represents a LOT of books, among them some real treasures. Typically, when we talk about the best ones, they usually share certain qualities having to do with technical information: a teacher generous enough to reveal principles, methods, even “secrets.” Andrea Falk’s newest book, Beijing Bittersweet, certainly includes gems of instruction from her own teachers, […]
Jun
5
2022
5
2022
May
7
2022
7
2022
Sifu Jack Yan Teaches Mandarin (Plus a Whole Lot More)
Sometimes, here at Plum, we circle back and take a second look at a book or DVD we rediscover in our own catalogue. Adding almost 4000 items over the years has, hopefully, matured our tastes and understandings, and we often find nuance and new meaning among the treasures. But today, it is not a stack […]
Feb
19
2022
19
2022
Hawk Splits Sky: Good News and Great Reviews
Good news! Hawk Splits Sky: Jibengong Practice, Bagua Zhang Mastery is back in stock after selling out the first printing, and available to order. Good reviews! In the shameless praise department, we are delighted to read what people have to say about our new book/DVD package. Here’s a new sampling: It’s a masterpiece. I’m not […]
Dec
21
2021
21
2021
First Reviews of Hawk Split Sky Have Landed
Our new book, Hawk Splits Sky: Jibengong Practice, Bagua Zhang Mastery, is selling well. This is always good news to us as both authors and publishers, but the truly great moment comes when the first few reviews come in. Here they are: The Hawk splits the sky arrived this morning. I have to compliment both […]
Oct
9
2020
9
2020
Short Stick Superior: The Whip Stick
One of the questions readers most ask us is , “What short stick videos do you recommend?” People love the short sticks. We do actually represent quite a few on our site, and among the best is Sifu Jack Yan’s Whip Stick book/dvd combo. So we are always happy when our customers agree! Thanks to […]
Feb
15
2020
15
2020
A Take on Adam Hsu’s “Life Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu”
Grand Master Adam Hsu’s new book, Life Is too Short For Bad Kung Fu, is a call to arms to save Chinese martial arts. In this book he examines the current path Chinese martial arts is taking. There may be some ruffled feathers at some of his profound statements on areas of needed improvement to […]
Jan
19
2020
19
2020
Second Look: Wisdom of the Taiji Masters
Our renewed look at Nigel Sutton’s “Wisdom of the Taiji Masters,” was inevitable. Like a good British murder mystery, there is more to the search and intuition than to the closet full of clues. Despite the wealth of time spent by professor Cheng’s and other Tai Chi students on the secrets and questions posed by […]
Jan
9
2020
9
2020
Book Review: Adam Hsu’s “Life Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu”
Traditional Chinese Kung Fu is dying. When it dies it won’t be a homicide but a suicide. Shifus are peddling tricks to kids. Shifus that are preserving Kung Fu can’t find students to undergo the hardship of practice. Students that are willing to undergo the traditional training can’t find a Shifu to train them. Kung […]
Dec
25
2019
25
2019
Useful
Today we offer just a single DVD, but one that is packed with interest and—even more useful—Usage. Although this DVD, Original Striking Taiji Sanshou, claims legitimate membership in the Tai Chi camp, it comes from Master Wan Lei Sheng’s lineage, and his specific approach adds techniques that fall outside of the Tai Chi curriculum. Instructor […]
Jan
28
2018
28
2018
Review: Essence of Lien Bu Chuan
We want to congratulate Artie Aviles, James Man Chin and Nelson Tsou on two excellent reviews they have received for their book “The Essence of Lien Bu Chuan.” We are especially grateful to both Nick Scrima at The Journal of Chinese Martial Arts, and Nancy Fiano, from the Xinyi Dao Academy and the World Fighting […]
Oct
31
2017
31
2017
George Xu: Pioneer
Normally we reserve these weblog spots for a quick teaser, and designate the product pages for fuller reviews. However, since the works of George Xu often attract our special attention, we thought that this time, with his new DVD on Reeling Silk Energy, we would post our more in-depth interview along with our usual product […]
Aug
27
2017
27
2017
Mei Flower Boxing
Here’s a reprint of a popular article on Mei Hua Quan I wrote for Kung Fu Wushu magazine. The Mei flower is a delicate thing. The slightest breeze stirs its petals. Against the hardness of bark its softness shines like spots of moonlight. Its delicacy is a dab of beauty in the world. But sometimes […]
Oct
4
2015
4
2015
Second Look: The Science of Internal Strength Boxing
This is an extraordinary book and should live on the library shelf for martial practice. It is not too far from right to say that I missed the point on my first reading. On the other hand, this is not an easy read. This book argues for the advantages of internal training. But rather than […]
Aug
31
2015
31
2015
Second Look: A Big Book on a Misunderstood Art
I often jokingly called YiQuan “the old martial artist’s pasture” because it seemed that only people who wanted minimal practice, yet expected super-human powers, ever ordered any related products. I have to admit that at this point I never really “got” YiQuan. Even though I’ve been in the field for a long time, this seemingly […]
Jun
15
2015
15
2015
XingYi Quan – The Five Elements: Shifu Adam Hsu
Admittedly, the prospect of sitting down to three DVDs about Hebei XingYi Quan is intimidating at best. Yet, almost immediately, you are taken into a story of practice, of history and, most importantly, Shifu Hsu’s absolute command of his topic. His enthusiasm and dedication become contagious even through the subtitles. And always there is his […]
Jan
7
2014
7
2014
Sun Lu Tang Writes
The study of WuJi in Xing Yi (excerpt from Xing Quan Xue: The Study of Form-Mind Boxing) p. 68 Sun Lu Tang is considered by many to be one of the primary sources for the basis and practice of the so-called Internal Boxing Arts such as Tai Chi Chuan, Xing Yi and Bagua Zhang. Besides […]
Dec
27
2013
27
2013
Glance: Are there really Effortless Combat Throws?
Here’s a quick look-see and video review of Tim Cartmell’s book, “Effortless Combat Throws,” an excellent companion to his DVD of the same name. We hope people are enjoying these quick, informal reviews and getting a chance to look inside and become more familiar with these books. ECT is a fine example of a teaching […]
Dec
13
2013
13
2013
Glance: Four-Star Bagua Book/DVD
When we have a moment we record these mini-video reviews to give you an inside look at the new arrivals and products on display. Browse for a minute. It’s like taking a book off the shelf… Reviews: Sun Zhi Jun’s You Shen (Swimming Body) Bagua Zhang Book/DVD
Mar
25
2013
25
2013
Taiji, Xingyi, and Baguaquan Throwing
He compares many movements and their execution, seeking principles and general concepts which can be used by any practitioner …
Dec
13
2012
13
2012
Books: Secrets and Chinese Meditation
Luk’s book is good for one obvious reason: it was written before meditation had become a commodity.
