Plum is experiencing a plentiful Spring this year, starting with the reappearance of Sifu Bow Sim Mark’s early works; then the masterful new edition on White Crane from GM Lee and Master Bernard; and now the long-awaited second volume of Shifu Wing Lam’s compendium on Northern Shaolin (Bak Sil Lum). Although there is much here […]
Apr
1
2021
1
2021
Apr
23
2020
23
2020
Shaolin Sheltering: Weird Weapons
Among the first commandments for stifling COVID-19 is ‘do not touch your face’. This was extremely difficult for me. Spring is allergy season. It makes me cough and sneeze, and the last thing I want to be right now is a coughing sneezing Asian. What’s more, my nose is always itchy. To keep from scratching, […]
Dec
20
2019
20
2019
1984
I’ve been going through some boxes, unearthing photos, notebooks, old patches, and all manner of things from my 50+ years in the arts. Here’s a poster from one of Brendan Lai’s famous expos. It was a time. Among those present: Cliff Look, Shek Kin, John Leong, Marc Singer, Mok Poi-On, Lee Koon-Hung, Ping Chow, […]
Oct
3
2018
3
2018
New Bak Sil Lum (Bei Shaolin) DVDs
Bak Sil Lum (or Bak Siu Lim) is the Cantonese pronunciation of Bei Shaolin, or Northern Shaolin style. It is recognized by experts as an extension of the real Shaolin Heritage. Its most famous exponent was Gu Ru Zhang, known as a master of Iron Palm (striking arts) and Golden Bell (body conditioning arts). In […]
May
16
2018
16
2018
Family Resemblance
I’ve been asked to judge at the annual Tiger Claw tournament this coming weekend. One of the things unique at this event is that it will feature, in its traditional column, not one, but TWO, Shaolin divisions. This is particularly significant because, for the first time, these two competitions will offer double examples of true […]
May
7
2018
7
2018
The Gift of a Teacher
Yesterday we attended the memorial for Wing Lam, my teacher for a number of years. Over a hundred students and family gathered in the chapel to pay last respects. Many people crowded the middle aisle, most of them dressed in black or white, as per the formal instructions for a Daoist ceremony. The middle aisle […]
Jun
9
2016
9
2016
A Walk in the Young Forest: Northern Shaolin vol. 1
This is the first volume, by Sifu Wing Lam, of a proposed series on Northern Shaolin containing history and development of the art. It outlines the shape of that branch associated with Iron Palm master Gu Ru Zhang. In the background section there are a lot of stories and facts about the temple and some […]
Dec
20
2013
20
2013
Kung Fu Theater: Wing Lam
Here’s another entry from that great period on TV when Tat Mau Wong hosted Kung Fu Theater? Sifu would interview a different guest each week and then the teacher would go out on the floor and demonstrate his specialty. If you do remember, here it is. And if you don’t you are in for a […]
Sep
23
2013
23
2013
Hung Kuen Fundamentals is in the house!
Finally the wait is over. The Hung Kuen Fundamentals books have just landed and we will be contacting those waiting this evening, and sending them out! If you have not yet ordered and want to get in on the pre-order price, you have until midnight tuesday evening (9/24) to place your order! Thanks for your […]
Jul
15
2013
15
2013
A Major Event for the Hung Style
The Lam family is justly famous for its stewardship of the largest branch of the famous Southern style, Hung Kuen. For the first time in over 60 years, they have issued a comprehensive training manual on their system, including the keystone form of the system, Gung Gee Fook Fu, along with special materials on usage, […]
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”…
Nov
19
2011
19
2011
Iron Palm Training: A Word
Some people really feel this concentration of energy and find it invigorating. And, for five to ten minutes a day of training, it all seems worth it.
May
11
2010
11
2010
Product: The Hung Gar Butterfly
Hung Gar has some very interesting lesser known forms …
Apr
18
2010
18
2010
Hung Gar Southern Fist
This style is said to be derived from the Southern Shaolin Temple through the personage of Jee Sin,
Nov
19
2009
19
2009
Silk Pants
The thing worked like this. You slipped into the pants. You definitely did not bend over and secure the ankle ties because
Jan
24
2007
24
2007
Ted Mancuso
Head Instructor at the Santa Cruz Academy of Martial Arts, Ted Mancuso, has been teaching for over forty years.
Jan
24
2006
24
2006
