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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent For Proving An Intelligent Foundation, March 17, 2001
This review is from: Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu (Unique Literary Books of the World) (Paperback)
This is one of Yang Jwing-Ming's first books on a single art, and one of the cornerstone books of an intelligent kung fu library. It details the basics thoroughly, giving just a glimpse of higher teachings (such as Dim Mak & Dim Hsueh). It also allows for the practice to branch off into other styles by describing how Long Fist, called the "Grandfather Style of Northern Kung Fu" is related to numerous other styles, such as Tai Chi Chuan, Eagle Claw, Northern Praying Mantis and various Northern Chinese animal styles. In fact, the forms depicted within the text actually progress from a foundation of 1. fluidity to 2. strength development to assertiveness to tactical considerations to praying mantis.---This is a must-have book for the stylist seeking to attain clarity in his understanding of the arts, no matter what his style.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exacting description of technique ensures proper training., July 16, 1996
By A Customer
This review is from: Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu (Unique Literary Books of the World) (Paperback)
Not just a list of forms and stances, Shaolin Long Fist KungFu provides practical (yet traditional) training exercises and reccomendations. Instead of giving the reader a sequence of movements, and leaving it up to him/her to discover the uses, each motion has at least one practical use explained in pictures and words. For those with little martial arts background, the text is very descriptive of stances and movements so the reader can be sure they are performing the motions correctly. While a good portion of the book covers sequences and their solutions, attention is given to the history of the art, and the importance of internal force. While the reading sometimes feels like a technical manual, the detail more than ballances a somewhat difficult read. I've read far too many books which describe the horse stance as "Spread the legs apart and lower the body slightly." This excellent book prefers "Place the feet 1 1/2 shoulder widths apart, with the feet parallel. Lower the body by moving the knees inward and to the front until a 90-degree angle is formed between the thigh and the calf."I prefer the second explanation as well
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not just a book, a textbook, December 23, 2000
This review is from: Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu (Unique Literary Books of the World) (Paperback)
This book is packed with information, everything from the forms (although the book prefers 'sequences') to the basic kicks punches and stances to the points to hit, what they do, and what moves are good for hitting them. You can learn quite a bit just by picking it up. If you're looking for something less complex, try "Shantung Black Tiger", which is a book about a fighting art less complex. However, if you want to get a good start and learn up to a certain point at home, this is definitely the book to start with.
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