The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment

The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment

by Wong Kiew Kit
The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment

The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment

by Wong Kiew Kit

Paperback(1st Edition)

$19.95 
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Overview

The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu is the ultimate guide to Kung Fu, from theory to practical application.

This unique martial arts book, by a renowned Grandmaster, is a complete and comprehensive introduction to Kung Fu and all other aspects of ancient Shaolin wisdom. You will learn the ancient art of the Shaolin monks from the famous Shaolin monastery. It will prove invaluable to everyone interested in martial arts, chi kung, and meditation, showing how Kung Fu and other Shaolin arts can bring you health, vitality, mental focus, and spiritual joy.

Chapters include:
  • What is Kung Fu?—Four Aspects of Kung Fu; The Importance of Force Training; Application for Combat and Daily Living; Kung Fu Philosophy for Deeper Understanding; The Benefits of Kung Fu
  • The Historical Development of Chinese Martial Arts—Kung Fu in Prehistoric and Ancient Times; The Glorious Han and Tang; The Modern Period
  • From Shaolin to Taijiquan—Shaolin Kung Fu; The Various Styles of Taijiquan; Soft and Hard, Internal and External
  • A Comparative Study of Kung Fu—Contrasting Shaolin and Wudang Kung Fu; Xingyi Kung Fu and Taoist Concepts; Tanglangquan or Praying Mantis Kung Fu; The Spread of Southern Kung Fu
  • Defining Aims and Objectives—Setting Aims for Kung Fu Training; Personal Objectives; Course Objectives
  • The Foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu—Inheritance from Past Masters; Various Shaolin Hand Forms; Basic Shaolin Patterns
  • From Form to Combat Application—The Four Directions of Attack; The Principles of Effective Combat; Specific Techniques Against Kicks
  • Combat Sequences and Set Practice—Relieving Injuries Sustained in Sparring; Composing Your Own Kung Fu Sets
  • Shaolin Five Animals—Understanding Characteristics and Essence; The Five-Animal Set; The Names of the Five-Animal Patterns
  • Five-Animal Combination Set—How to Improve Combat Efficiency; Spacing and Timing in Combat
  • The Internal Force of Shaolin Kung Fu—The Relationship Between Technique and Force; The Compassionate Art of Qin-Na; The Internal Force of Tiger Claw
  • Tactics and Strategies—Using Continuous Attack Effectively; A Tactic to Distract Your Opponent; Selecting Strategies to Suit Particular Situations
  • Classical Kung Fu Weapons—Staffs; Whips, Knives and Other Weapons; Light and Heavy Weapons
  • Understanding and Developing Chi—The Various Genres of Chi Kung; Lohan Embracing Buddha; Abdominal Breathing
  • Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen—Culitvating Heart, Nourishing Nature; Bodhidharma and Taoism in Zen
  • The Shaolin Way to Enlightenment—Attaining a Focused Mind; Meditation to Train Awareness; Shaolin Kung Fu for Spiritual Development

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780804834391
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Publication date: 11/15/2002
Series: Tuttle Martial Arts
Edition description: 1st Edition
Pages: 240
Sales rank: 1,072,916
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Wong Kiew Kit has practiced and taught Shaolin kung fu, chi kung, and meditation for more than 30 years and has over 2,000 students. He is the fourth generation successor of monk Jiang Nan of the Shaolin Monastery and Grandmaster of Shaolin Wahnam Kung Fu and Chi Kung Institute. He is the author of several books on Eastern wisdom, including The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan, also available from Tuttle Publishing.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrationsxi
Prefacexv
1What is Kung Fu?1
Four Aspects of Kung Fu1
The Visible Aspect of Form2
The Importance of Force Training3
Application for Combat and Daily Living4
Kung Fu Philosophy for Deeper Understanding4
The Benefits of Kung Fu5
Mind Expansion and Spiritual Development7
2The Historical Development of Chinese Martial Arts10
Kung Fu in Prehistoric and Ancient Times10
The Glorious Han and Tang12
The Song, the Yuan and the Ming14
The Modern Period16
3From Shaolin to Taijiquan18
Kung Fu and Quanshu18
Shaolin Kung Fu19
Changquan or Long Fists21
Yan Qing, Deceptive Movements and the Monkey Style24
The Various Styles of Taijiquan25
Soft and Hard, Internal and External28
4A Comparative Study of Kung Fu30
Contrasting Shaolin and Wudang Kung Fu31
Internal Palm of Bagua Kung Fu31
Xingyi Kung Fu and Taoist Concepts33
The Philosophies of Wudang Kung Fu34
Wuzuquan or Kung Fu of Five Ancestors35
Tanglangquan or Praying Mantis Kung Fu36
The Spread of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu38
Major Southern Shaolin Styles39
5Defining Aims and Objectives42
The Importance of Theoretical Knowledge42
The Three Requirements for Attainment43
Direction and Purpose46
Setting Aims for Kung Fu Training47
Personal Objectives49
Course Objectives51
6The Foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu54
Inheritance from Past Masters54
The Significance of Form and Formlessness55
Various Shaolin Hand Forms56
Horseriding and Other Stances60
Basic Shaolin Patterns64
7From Form to Combat Application68
The Four Directions of Attack68
An Imaginary Opponent in Skill Training69
The Principles of Effective Combat71
Specific Techniques Against Kicks75
Felling and Holding Techniques79
8Combat Sequences and Set Practice84
Linking Patterns to Form Sequences84
Various Sequences for Practice86
Relieving Injuries Sustained in Sparring94
Linking Sequences to Form Sets94
Composing Your Own Kung Fu Sets99
9Shaolin Five Animals102
Understanding Characteristics and Essence102
Some Preliminary Information105
The Five-Animal Set106
The Names of the Five-Animal Patterns117
10Five-Animal Combination Set119
How to Improve Combat Efficiency119
The Fascination of Kung Fu Application120
Spacing and Timing in Combat126
Advanced Techniques to Clinch Victory132
11The Internal Force of Shaolin Kung Fu134
The Relationship Between Technique and Force134
The Art of One-Finger Shooting Zen136
Developing Forceful Punches139
The Compassionate Art of Qin-Na142
The Internal Force of Tiger Claw143
12Tactics and Strategies149
Techniques, Tactics and Strategies149
The Legacy of Past Masters151
Using Continuous Attack Effectively152
A Tactic to Distract Your Opponent153
Selecting Strategies to Suit Particular Situations154
13Classical Kung Fu Weapons157
Why are Classical Weapons Still Being Used?157
Staffs158
Whips, Knives and Other Weapons160
The Spear Family162
Light and Heavy Weapons164
Common Implements as Weapons166
14Understanding and Developing Chi168
From Combat Efficiency to Spiritual Development168
The Various Genres of Chi Kung169
The Three Elements of Chi Kung171
Lifting the Sky173
Lohan Embracing Buddha175
Abdominal Breathing177
15Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen179
Cultivating Heart, Nourishing Nature179
Discipline and Wisdom180
What is Ultimate Reality?183
Bodhidharma and Taoism in Zen186
16The Shaolin Way to Enlightenment189
Attaining a Focused Mind189
Meditation to Train Awareness191
Investigating Cosmic Reality?193
The Zen of Bodhidharma and Hui Neng194
Shaolin Kung Fu for Spiritual Development197
Different Attainments for Different Needs198
Notes201
Further Reading202
Useful Addresses206
Index208
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