Customer Reviews

The Secrets of Eagle Claw Kung-fu: Ying Jow Pai

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Previous reviewers who criticize this work based on their perception of impracticality have essentially missed the author's point. Martial arts literature does not have to present itself as a 'cookbook' in order to be useful.

Anyone who has had more than a casual introduction to martial arts understands that Leung Shum is one of the most knowledgeable masters of traditional Chinese kungfu in North America. The system he has studied for most of his life--Northern Eagle Claw (Faan Tzi Ying Jow Pai) kungfu--is legendary for it's devastating effectiveness, and is respected as one of the most comprehensive fighting systems ever devised. Anyone claiming this system as ineffectual has simply misunderstood the methods and aims of traditional training.

As pointed out by other reviewers, this work is not intended to serve as a technique-by-technique how-to, or as a catalog of "quick n' easy" self defense scenarios. Instead, it provides a solid, encyclopedic reference to some of the core principles ("secrets" if you like) of the Eagle Claw system. Also, the book does not serve well as an entry-level text. The reader should have at least some background in, or strong desire to understand traditional Chinese martial arts.

As a student of Sifu Shum for 10 years, I can verify that the contents of this book are verbatim for the lessons learned studying at Ying Jow Pai in New York City. Having said that, it should be obvious to any serious student that you will not learn a martial art by reading a book. You need to have a good teacher, and you need to practice constantly and diligently. Books such as these are for reference, to make clear and correct what you would learn from a legitimate teacher. The opponents' distance is for clarity of technique, not to demonstrate an actual attack. Comments from some other reviewers indicate they don't know the difference between learning a technique and actually using one. Eagle Claw locks are devastatingly effective, but are also difficult to learn to use effectively. In my years of training in NY, I have both used and seen used the techniques described in this book, and they certainly work. Sifu Shum is very careful about what he releases with the Ying Jow Pai name attached to it, and this book is a perfect example of the quality he demands from his students and the care he takes in disseminating the system.

The author of this book, Leung Shum, is a true master of Eagle Claw kung fu. He is the inheritor of the style, so the aunthenticity and quality of this book is of the highest standard.
The reviewer who keeps writing the same bad review over and over again obviously knows absolutely nothing about kung fu. He doesn't realize that the techniques in this book are the beginners training techniques of a complex kung fu system, not simple self-defense moves. This reviewer says "the locks are too complicated to use in a real fight". Some of the techniques are complicated, and they require lots of practice. But after they are mastered they can be executed in a split second by a skilled martial artist. This what separates martial arts from self defense; self defense is simple and easy to use, while martial arts are very complex and take many years to master. Marial arts can only be learnt directly from a master, people who think they can read a book and suddenly be able to use the techniques in fighting do not understand martial arts.
The reviewer also says that kung fu is only for looks. It is understandable that someone would say this because the movements in kung fu are often very unsusual, and look as though they have no value as a fighting technique. This is part of the mystery of kung fu, in reality every movement is a powerful fighting technique.

The book is well made and the pictures are of high quality. A person cannot learn kung fu from books, but this book is very good for getting familiar with authentic Eagle Claw, studying the comlicated techniques of this style, and learning the basic priciples of this style. The book also includes the 108 locking techniques of Eagle Claw, which have previously been kept secret for many years. I would recommend this book highly to anyone interested in learning about this style. It is rare that such a distinguished master such as Leung Shum writes a book, most books written on the subject of kung fu are written by unqualified masters.

Master Shum has been my sifu for almost 10 years. I was shocked to read the comments of two of the readers of his book who feel the information is useless or worse. As others have mentioned it takes time and effort to understand and apply this or other martial arts. The list of forms that starts on page 63 should attest to the depth of this style. I would point the reader to locks #17 and #19 to demonstrate the obvious effectiveness of these techniques. As Sifu Shum always says "form is form and fighting is fighting". Forms as demonstrated here in the form of the 30 locks are static representations of one possibility of how to use the techniques in a real situation. You need to take the time to explore the possibilties for yourself and make it part of you. This like other styles of kung fu has many subtle aspects to it. Some techniques may not be obvious to the untrained eye. No one book can do justice to this or most other styles without proper instruction, training and personal effort.

As a student of Sifu Shum, I can verify that these are all real and core techniques of EagleClaw. This book stipulates what sifu has always taught his students. There are no secrets just practice. Releasing this book just verifies that sifu does not hide techniques or teachings and wants Eagle Claw to be understood and flourish.

Eagle claw kung fu has always been known for its grabbing techniques and this book is revealing to some extent. It would be even be better to share the remaing grabbing techniques in another book. Leung Shum Sifu might want to think about sharing his expertise on this style of kung fu through a series of books.

This book is pretty good. What we now call Eagle Claw was originally a Jiu-Jitsu-like grappling/clawing system that was combined with a classic chinese long-fist boxing/kicking style to become what it is today. It is the inclusion of these rather TKD-like techniques that is probably raising the ire of some of the fanboys posting here. Static pictures don't do a technique justice. You may find a jiu-jitsu or Aikido practitioner can make better sense out of these exercises. One must also keep in mind the context in which these moves were meant to be used; many classic northern techniques were originally intended to be used against spear or sword-weilding opponents, as they were battlefield arts. The weapon itself provided leverage against the opponent's own wrist. I don't think people back then were so stupid that they went into life-or-death combat with impractical, unproven techniques. Funny, though, that today, having a black-belt from a strip-mall dojo or watching a lot of UFC makes people better able to judge martial methods than those who had to kill or be killed by them. My only complaint about the book is that, true to the typical chinese mania for secrecy, the author has only presented a partial catalogueing of the techniques, as if somehow this was the only system in the world to have these types of moves. Perhaps he'll come out with a volume 2. No, this book isn't for the nerd who never wants sand kicked in his face. It is for the serious martial arts student who wants to learn more about their history/culture. If you have extensive experience, you should be able to derive effective techniques from this book. If it doesn't work for you, leave it. But you'll never know unless you spend time and effort earnestly trying to understand these techniques, instead of trying to judge them along erroneous concepts of what one, in his/her lack of real-world experience, considers as "practical" (you know, the theories that MUST be true because they are repeated over and over again in the newstand martial arts magazines).

Basically, the book starts out with a brief history, describes a short but effective leg-strengthening exercise that teaches the practitioner to constantly shift through the basic stances. The bulk of the book is comprised of sections, each of which document all the techniques of a particular type, such as elbow locks, etc. These are demonstrated by 2 students, obviously posing in such a way that the reader can easily make out the intended application, not to look "realistic'. But as I noted previously, the categories of Eagle Claw techniques presented are incomplete, about half being here. I think that it may have been better to have all the categories represented with half the techniques in each, to present a better balanced perspective of the system. But, that's just me. On the flip side of the coin, if you actually like elbow techniques (like me), you have all of them. I only had a problem with 2 of them, but again, that could just be me. Over all, I'd say this could be one of the more useful martial arts books out there, depending on what you're looking for.

I have been training Eagle Claw Kung Fu for 6 months now and I must say that if you are looking only for self defense techniques then you are missing the point. I believe kung fu is much more than that. It gives you excellent health, and peace of mind. But in order to use the techniques you must be willing to work hard for several years. Hey good things do not come easy in life unless you are really willing to undergo the hardships. Master Leung Shum is wise not to share specific and/or very dangerous techniques with the general public for obvious reasons, but he does give a general idea of what Eagle Claw is. This book has increase my motivation to work harder and eventually master the system. Thank you master Leung Shum!

This book is definitely a good book for Eagle Claw practitioners. It provides the frame work and training outline to become proficient in the art. For those who train in it, it is a good reference to found out what you need to train more in to develop as a martial artist.

For those who find it impractical, you should know that it takes at least 5 years of hard training to grasp the basic concepts of Chinese martial arts. This cannot be learned from a book, unlike many self defense techniques. However, the training provides enhanced reflexes, power, and conditioning which in combat will undoubtedly be essential for self defense. There is no exception to hard work. I find that many people who are looking for practicality in a martial art are essentially looking for a quick way of learning without the hard training. I have met many students who believe they are excellent and practical, but in my eyes are very poorly trained. Feeling that you are a good combatant and being one are totally different things. But let me finish with a line that many of my teachers have passed on to me "It is the student and not the art."

Nice illustrations, but I feel that the book leaves out too much. Perhaps I was expecting to read 10+ years of EClaw training in one volume, but did read it in one day. It sits on the shelf as a reference.