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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Book and the Shaolin-Do System,
This review is from: Shaolin-Do: Secrets from the Temple (Paperback)
There's a lot of energy about this book ... and seemingly, the Shaolin-Do system!My opinion is that the book is a good book -- providing an overview of the system as well as a focus upon chi-gung and meditation practice. The primary author, James Halladay, has written articles for major publications (e.g., Inside Kung-Fu) as well. I find his writing style to be well organized and highly readable. As far as the system goes, the system is comprehensive and legitimate. I have worked out with the author, and other advanced Shaolin practitioners, finding them to be well-versed and highly-skilled martial arts practioners. I make this statement from the vantage point of 25 years of martial arts, with Black Belt rankings in different martial systems -- Shaolin Do, Tae Kwon Do, American Kenpo, and Goshin Aiki-Jujitsu -- and informal training in numerous other systems (e.g., JKD). The Shaolin-Do practitioners, as a group, are not kick-boxers or full-contact fighters ... not do they claim to be. They do, though, claim to be learning a comprehensive Chinese martial system ... one that gets much deeper as one progresses through the various Black Belt levels (especially at 5th degree and above). The long-term benefits of the system are impressive! As such, I have chosen to pursue Shaolin-Do training in the long-term ... there is more material than I will learn in my lifetime (regardless of whether there are 900 forms or some other number ... say 300 ... depending upon how the material is categorized). When compared to all but a few other systems, the system provides superior breadth and depth! Consider the fact that practitioners learn T'ai Chi and Pa Kua at 1st Black, along with numerous empty-hand and weapons forms ... and specialized conditioning. At 2nd Black, practioiners will learn Hsing I, along with numerous additional empty-hand and weapons forms ... and specialized conditioning. At 3rd Black, the Hua Mountain system is of major focus and major challenge (these sets are extremely long and physically challenging), along with additional empty-hand and weapons ... and specialized conditioning. At 4th degree, practitioners will face the pliability and coordination challenges of the Drunken system ... again, along with additional empty-hand and weapons forms ... and specialized conditioning. The list goes on ... the material is real ... and so are the people (including the Grandmaster). As with any system or field of endeavor, some people or schools are better than others. Jim Halladay, for example, is a quality practitioner ... more skilled than some other Shaolin-Do folks I have seen (of course, though, he has trained under the Grandmaster and Elder Master, Bill Leonard). I don't believe that the Shaolin-Do system is "better than all others"; however, I do believe the system to be a unique and impressive tribute to the wonders of the Shaolin temples! Check it out -- you may find things you never knew you were looking for ... Peace.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is an incredible and invaluable reference.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Shaolin-Do: Secrets from the Temple (Paperback)
It is unfortunate that a number of the negative reviews that have been posted are not objective reviews of the book at all but instead are obviously personal attacks on Grandmaster Sin, motivated by some hidden agenda (e.g. by students of another art who feel threatened by Shaolin-Do, etc.). True martial artists try not to judge or attack other styles. If one wants to see if Grandmaster Sin is the real deal (which I think he is), they should go to a Shaolin-Do school and judge for themselves. Regarding the book, I have found it to be one of those treasures that reveals more each time that I pick it up. It contains so much information, especially regarding breathing and meditation, that I think it could be a little overwhelming for people that are not familiar with Chinese martial arts. The book as a whole is an impressive work revealing, as the title states, a wealth of secrets and details regarding authentic Shaolin training.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
On the Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: Shaolin-Do: Secrets from the Temple (Paperback)
As far as the book goes, it does seem to be for students of the art. However, the section on meditation is very informative and is worth the price of the book. I give it four stars overall.As far as the art goes, one reader said he had been promoted to brown belt in three months. I can attest that, at least in my school and the schools that I know of, all belt ranks from white to green MUST be separated by AT LEAST three months. When you are ready to test for the first level of brown (there are three) you MUST have spent AT LEAST 6 months learning the new material. There are three levels to brown belt and each test MUST be separated by AT LEAST 6 months before you are allowed to test. For first degree black there must be at least one year between tests, for 2nd degree black two years between tests, etc. For each belt test you are required to perform all the material from white belt to the belt level you are testing for. That includes long forms, short forms, all weapons, self defense, sparring techniques, and sparring opponent(s).
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