Our Shaolin Cane DVD has engendered more questions and reactions than almost any other DVD we developed. This article focuses on those questions, partially in the hope that this weapon—which some people actually rely on for self defense—grows in popularity and improves in technique. Let’s first recognize the diversity of the instrument. It’s more than […]
Jun
28
2017
28
2017
Mar
12
2017
12
2017
Mizong Jia: Shaolin Mizong Kung Fu style
Here’s a pop quiz (no cheating!) What style is the inspiration for the two films, “The Chinese Connection” (with Bruce Lee) and “Legend” (with Jet Lee)? Want a hint? This style is associated with Kung Fu Master Huo YuanJia, Head Instructor of the famous Ching Woo Association. Ok, so the title of this post gives […]
Feb
24
2017
24
2017
Oct
20
2016
20
2016
Three Classic Training Texts Translated
Published anywhere from 50 to over 80 years ago, here are translations of Kung Fu books emphasizing applied technique and training. We now offer Iron Thread from Hung Gar, one of the crowning forms of this style. Then there is the popular text on “Shaolin training methods,” which has been reprinted over and over for decades. […]
May
8
2016
8
2016
Li Tianji’s Xing Yi Legacy; Andrea Falk’s Dictionary
Plum is adding another text by Andrea Falk, a translation of significance to Xing Yi practitioners: Li TianJi’s The Skills of XingYiQuan; 311 pages, with hundreds of illustrations. This is a thorough text on the style handed down to Li Tianji from his father, Li Yulin. It’s very well laid out with sections covering basic […]
Nov
20
2015
20
2015
“If I could just interject one thought here…”
For the umpteenth time I am re-designing the basics practiced at my school. This may come as a surprise to people for a couple for reasons. I know that there are styles which have probably taught the same basics for decades, even centuries. I used to study at a school that taught two distinct and […]
Aug
6
2015
6
2015
Learn Shaolin Kung Fu … and Chinese
We have just re-stocked a popular en face (English/Chinese) series of books all on Shaolin Kung Fu. While all are both in English and Chinese, some have traditional and some simplified characters. Uncommon branches of Shaolin, including Shaolin Mantis, Kan Jia (Secret) and classic Shaolin are covered. A perfect way to pick up Chinese martial […]
Jul
27
2015
27
2015
The Water Styles
The class is warming up, you can hear the uniforms snapping, the floor jumping; but you are in the office with a potential student. He called your studio, set up an appointment. Now he sits across from you hoping you will answer his burning question: which style should he start with? I sit back, think […]
Sep
23
2014
23
2014
When Speed and Power Tangle…
Mastering the right mix of speed and power is the type of fine adjustment a martial artist will make the length of his or her career…
Aug
26
2014
26
2014
Kung Fu’s Back and Forth Problem
There are two kinds of people, as Robert Benchley wrote, “Those who divide everyone into two kinds of people and those who don’t.” When we are talking about Kung Fu styles—good ones only, please—we often encounter another two-way path. Before I even go into this, let me tell you that this causes a lot of […]
Aug
12
2014
12
2014
Tradition: The Mother of Innovation
Tradition, real tradition, inspires innovation.
May
25
2014
25
2014
Some Favorite Styles…
Sometimes readers ask me for suggestions without specifying any certain style. They leave that open. In essence, their exacting and sometimes highly technical queries often boil down to ”what styles do you like?” Of course the real answer is “a lot of them” since I am a lover of Chinese martial arts. Strangely enough, many […]
Apr
12
2014
12
2014
Restocked: Chinese/English Books with VCDs
Back in stock: We (and many customers) have been enjoying this new series out of China: nicely photographed books of various routines in both Chinese and English, with accompanying VCDs in Chinese with English subtitles. An excellent price for these well designed packages…click each to go to page to view and order.
Jan
17
2014
17
2014
Three New (Old) Chinese Texts
a Shaolin trident set that looks a little like it was illustrated by a nephew of mine
Dec
16
2013
16
2013
Dec
8
2013
8
2013
Kung Fu in the Next Century
The problem with Shaolin is not that it will disappear but that the name will become so common as to signify nothing.
Nov
8
2013
8
2013
Buddhist Yoga and a Muslim Fist
If contrortionists make you twitch, and joints creating odd angles makes you wince, you might pass on this one…
Jun
10
2013
10
2013
Master of Shaolin Kung Fu
His skills were so profound that he was often able to be victorious with just one stroke. His Shaolin Iron Palm skills were so good that people called him “Iron Palm Gu Ruzhang”…
May
24
2013
24
2013
May
6
2013
6
2013
Featured Schools: Yau Kung Moon
Foster City: May 5, 2013 One day, Debbie and I decided to raid our collection of old Kung Fu Theater VHS tapes and convert them to digital so we could share on Youtube. One of these in particular, a demonstration of Yao Kung Moon style, has brought a surprising number of views. We even heard from Sifu David Louie, […]
