CompleteMartialArts.com - Mastering Kung Fu: Featuring Shaolin Wing Chun (Mastering Martial Arts Series)

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Manufacturer: Human Kinetics Publishers

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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.8159
EAN: 9780736045681
ISBN: 0736045686
Label: Human Kinetics Publishers
Manufacturer: Human Kinetics Publishers
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 232
Publication Date: 2003-10
Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers
Studio: Human Kinetics Publishers

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Editorial Reviews:

From the traditions, history, and evolution of kung fu to the subtleties of advanced Wing Chun techniques and tactics, Mastering Kung Fu has everything you need to develop your skill and take your training to the next level.

Mastering Kung Fu introduces these advanced theories that show you how science plays as much a role in kung fu as art:

-Centerline theory
-Two lines of offense and defense
-Three reference points
-Five line (dimensional) theory
-Five phases of combat
-Six gates concept
-Kiu sau (bridge arm) employment concepts
-Chi sau (sticking hand) concepts

You will see how space and time factor into successful, tactical maneuvers. Then, by combining these principles with detailed instruction on advanced techniques, you will be able to add the concepts to your own arsenal to improve your combat skills—even if you are an established black belt!

In addition, you will discover the ancient combat secrets of the monks by tracing the evolution of Shaolin kung fu from the Northern Temples to the Southern Temples. Learn how the Chan Buddhist philosophy of universal harmony has influenced the advancement of Wing Chun kung fu, and how it contributes to the way in which kung fu is performed today.

Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: Logic!!!
Comment: This Book is pure logic. It is a wonderful source for students of Wing Chun and other martial arts. The book can be hard to understand at points, but that doesn't detract from it, it just shows it's depth.
It puts into words an ideology of Fighting that is very difficult to express , in words, and does a great job of it.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Understanding the "Idea at the Beggining".
Comment: A truly wonderful book written by the "real deal". Great facts layed out in textbook format so that anyone can attempt to begin to comprehend what is at the core of this martial science. Once the practioner understands "the idea" he can then look forward to falling into the bottomless pit of knowledge that is Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Kuen. Created in the Southern Shaolin Temples over 350 years ago, a streamlined, highly technical system, that combined thousands of years of martial art knowledge with the Treasures and Wisdoms of Shaolin Chan to create a kind of ultimate combat system. Kept secret inside secret societies and families for generations, it is now offered to the public by Grandmaster Gee for examination and exploration.

This book was written by true artists and practioners. It is sort of like a textbook, trying to read this like a story or like some other martial arts books are written, with flowery phrasing, and grand stories about kung fu are wasting their time. This book is for those who wish to take the first step toward understanding what one of the "real" martial sciences today is all about. This book is a real eye opener for some and that's what its all about. After you read this book you wont be the same, and you wont be able to go back to not knowing.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Definitive Work
Comment: This is the most comprehensive study of martial arts that I've encountered. It breaks down the human physiology relative to an opponent and the three deminsional world that defines a battlefield. Not only does this book detial the physical elements of martial arts, it also details the historical, spiritual, and mental aspects of Shaolin Kung-fu. No book can take the place of competent instruction, but this one does have stand alone value as a physical, historical, and philosophical supplement to your training.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Promising layout - disappointing execution
Comment: I was impressed by the layout of this book when I flipped through in the book store - it appeared to give a fairly comprehensive overview of wing chun, and I hoped it would help in my study of the art. Unfortunately, though the authors may be knowledgeable martial artists, they are not very good writers.

Frankly, I am very surprised to see so many positive reviews of the book on Amazon. These are the problems I had with the book:
1) The whole history section though interesting was not properly sourced - I remained skeptical about how the authors knew what was fact or legend.
2) Paragraphs seemed to drift from one topic to another without a clear focus.
3) The writing is very repetitive - but not in a good way that reinforces key concepts.
4)Sentence structure is often awkward and unclear.
5)The authors spend too much time denigrating other martial arts.
6)The constantly repeated claim that this kung fu is "science" where others are "art" is silly and makes it look like the authors are engaged in a propaganda exercise.

I think if this book were thoroughly edited - removing the propaganda and sticking to a clear description of the art - it would be a worthwhile text. As it stands I could not recommend it.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Great reading!
Comment: My son has been reading this book and loves the illustrations as well as the detailed writing. ++

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