Chinese Martial Arts

Did Buddhist monks and Daoist priests really practice martial arts? Is the practice of Chinese martial arts religious? What are the White Lotus Sect and the Heaven and Earth Society? Did martial artists really think they could resist bullets using their internal power? What is the “internal school” of martial arts? These and many more questions are addressed and potentially answered by the new volume “Chinese Martial Arts, A Historical Outline”. This is the first work of its kind in the English language. Beginning with the earliest historical records regarding the practice of ...

The Shaolin Monastery charts for the first time in any language the history of the Shaolin Temple and the evolution of its world-renowned martial arts. In this meticulously researched and eminently readable study Meir Shahar considers the economic political and religious factors that led Shaolin monks to disregard the Buddhist prohibition against violence and instead create fighting techniques that by the 21st century have spread throughout the world.

Baguaquan and xingyiquan are two styles that complement each other as yin does yang. Bagua is known for its circular movements and its practice of “circle walking.” Xingyi embodies characteristic linear movements said to be derived from the logical strategies for using spear and staff. How fortunate we are to include writings in this anthology by leading authorities on these styles. Separated into three sections, the first features bagua. Allen Pittman presents five variations of the “single palm change”, followed by an overview of the Yin Fu bagua linage and an interview with He ...

The comprehensive and accurate edition of the Hagakure is a must-have for serious martial artists or fans of samurai and the Bushido code.

A comprehensive guide on many different aspects of martial arts pedagogy. Topics include: teaching children with learning disabilities, anatomy and common injuries, leadership skills, and hundreds of specific drills.

When Rin aced the Keju - the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies - it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising.

In "Comprehensive Introduction to the Study of Chen Taijiquan," esteemed Taijiquan master Chen Zhaopi offers a deep and enlightening exploration of Chen Style Taijiquan. Translated from its original Chinese, this invaluable resource lays a strong foundation for those new to the discipline while providing fresh insights to seasoned practitioners. Chen Zhaopi expertly guides readers through the principles and techniques of this ancient martial art. He shares the underlying philosophies and history of Chen Style Taijiquan, providing a clear context to understand the form's development and ...

When the ancestry of Xuan Wu's fiancee, Emma, is revealed, it threatens the harmony of the whole Celestial realm. The demons are gathering, powerful alliances are being made, and stone Shen are under threat. However, Xuan Wu is distracted - he must save Emma from the Demon King and give her the elixir of immortality, but at what cost?

With our stressful pace of life and the plethora of illnesses, it’s no wonder more people are suffering from chronic and acute illnesses that could otherwise be prevented. Lack of energy and vitality due to stress keeps many of us from living a full and satisfying life.

This 50 page book provides an overview of Kung Fu, including some of the most important basics. A number of helpful tips and important points that are often neglected or unexplained in training are provided, as well as images.

China: AD 1200 Guo Jing and Lotus have escaped Qiu Qianren’s stronghold, but at a steep price: Lotus has been mortally wounded. The only one who could save her life is Duan, King of the South, a man skilled and renowned for his healing. But little do they know that danger awaits, including a plan to tear them apart.

Uncover the many benefits of Tai Chi to discover how it will help your mind, body, and soul. Have you heard of Tai Chi, but don’t know where to begin? Do you want to find out why people who practice Tai Chi are living their best life? Do you want to transform your mindset and fitness levels using Tai Chi? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, you have come to the right place.

Everyone knows Jackie Chan. Whether it’s from Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, The Karate Kid, or Kung Fu Panda, Jackie is admired by generations of moviegoers for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and mind-bending stunts. In Never Grow Up, the global superstar reflects on his early life, including his childhood years at the China Drama Academy (in which he was enrolled at the age of six), his big breaks (and setbacks) in Hong Kong and Hollywood, his numerous brushes with death (both on and off film sets), and his life as a husband and father.

Wing Chun is the most popular form of Chinese kung fu in the world today, with more than four million practitioners. This guide will fascinate and educate anyone interested in the martial arts, from beginner to master. The art as it is presently understood has been handed down from teacher to student for more than 300 years. Until now, no one has ever stepped back and taken a critical look at why this art's techniques are presented and performed the way they are.

"The Taijiquan of Gu Ru Zhang" is an enlightening exploration into the world of Tai Chi Chuan, as seen through the eyes of the legendary martial artist Gu Ru Zhang. Trained by esteemed masters such as Yán Jīwēn in Northern Shaolin, Li Jinglin in Yang Taijiquan and Bajiquan, and Sūn Lùtáng in Baguazhang and Xingyiquan, Gu Ru Zhang presents a holistic view of Taijiquan. The book serves as a comprehensive guide, covering everything from basic stances to advanced techniques, all enriched by Gu's expertise in Iron Palm and other martial qigong techniques. This translated work is not just a...

The heavenly defenses struggle to hold against the combined might of the Eastern and Western demon hordes. The god of War Xuan Wu is now at full strength - but is his might enough to safeguard the realm when half the heavens are already in their hands? John and Emma fight a last-ditch desperate struggle to conserve their kingdom and their protect their families.

Life was looking up for the Blackwood family. Baird’s knowledge had allowed them to claw their way out of a soul sucking mire of poverty. What should have been a bright future full of endless possibilities suddenly became one of unease and fear. Despite their new wealth and their steadily increasing strength they were forced to acknowledge the appearance of what might herald an unbeatable enemy. As a family the Blackwoods decided that their only recourse was to grow so powerful that no potential enemy would ever be able to threaten them. That meant increasing all aspects of their strength...

In the intricate world of martial arts where honor and vengeance intertwine, "Sword of the Azure Sky" by Gu Long unfolds a tale of passion, betrayal, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of ancient China, this gripping Wuxia novel takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous life of Xiong Ti, a skilled swordsman caught in the web of destiny and familial ties. The story begins with Xiong Ti's quest to avenge a deep-seated grudge, a journey that leads him through the perilous landscapes of the martial world. His path crosses with Xia Yun, a woman of ethereal beauty and mysterious ...

The themes in this book—drawn from Chinese history, culture, and martial arts experience—are entwined in a fictional narrative to animate events envisaged to have occurred during the mid-eighteenth century. From the outset, a thin veil separates fact from fiction. Our story starts with a discovery. While conducting research at the Vatican Library on the Jesuit missions in China, two scholars find a folder of papers written in Chinese among documents belonging to Giuseppe Castiglione (1688–1766), a painter at the royal court in Beijing. The papers turn out to be written by a fellow ...