Customer Reviews

The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days to Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is, in short, the best book on the basics of martial arts I have ever come across. It is inspirational, well set up and the routines will work wonders for anyone, if they follow through with the books premise, which is to work with it every single day for 28 days. Continue with the program after the 28 days and the book may change your whole life.

Surprisingly, it seems quite a few people are giving this book very negative reviews - claiming that the excercises within are too basic and too simple ... that you can learn them in any martial arts class. I very much disagree with this.

I have over fifteen years of experience in the martial arts, and have taught several styles at various dojos throughout Scandinavia, Scotland, Japan and the US. During my career, I have trained with some of Japan's elite MMA fighters, British and European karate champions, fought and defeated grappling champions and have had the priviledge of studying under some of the most learned figures in martial arts today.

This of course does not mean I am automatically right about whatever I say on this topic - all it means is I have some experience to draw on and have been down a lot of roads that were dead ends. And it is from experience that I believe this is a very, very useful book.

This book teaches the reader basics and basics only. Some may find this annoying, but I cannot stress enough just how important those basics are and how well they must be perfected for a student to advance. One of the books winning points is how well this book stresses the beauty and grace of basics, instead of just treating them as some sort of initiation ritual that must be completed before the student can move on to the `real stuff'. I have seen so-called beginners, who trained their basics and basics only solidly and with utter dedication, absolutely floor much higher ranking students in contests, higher ranking students who just learnt the basics and then immediately moved on to all that stuff most of us find so cool: flashy forms, complex moves and the like.

Flashy forms are icing on the cake, nothing more, nothing less. If you want to move like a character out of a martial arts flick - do the basics slowly, properly and with utter dedication, and you will be moving in ways you never believed possible. If you can perfect the moves in this book, learning a form - any form - will be a snap for you, because you have already learnt every aspect of the body's mechanics ... and that is in essence what forms really are: a reshuffling of body mechanics you ought already know. Train with real dedication and this book will make you a more lethal martial artist than 90% of the enthusiasts I have ever met.

It is not easy and it takes a lot of work, but nothing worth having comes without a price.

So, after all the praise, why only four stars and not five? Because the stretches and moves, while wonderful, are in my opinion taught without regard to safety and may likely lead to injury if not performed with care. The author thrusts an attitude of reckless abandon on the reader, which is the only right attitude to have when learning something new, but regardless of this, safety ought always be a factor - especially for beginners, who through no fault of their own do not yet have proper knowledge of safety and the body's limits. If you are injured, you can't train and may even make the very natural mistake of thinking something worthwhile is actually not for you.

Amituofo,
For years I've self studied Yoga and Chan Quan (Kung Fu) from various books and dvd's, so I'm not the authority on either subject. To have a Sifu such as Shi Yan Ming is but a dream to someone like me. Where I'm from you're lucky if you can even find a gym to exercise in. I can't thank Shi Yan Ming and everyone else who worked on this book enough. Receiving even the smallest amount of training on Kung Fu and Chan Buddism for me is a gift of a life time. However, I don't consider the knowledge gained from this book to be small. If you seriously put this book into action and master all the sessions, its my opinion that you will not only transform your body and soul, but gain speed, power, and focus that you lacked before. I haven't made it all the way through, but the moves that look easy are hard and the moves that look hard are very hard. And I'm no slouch. I would say to anyone who is thinking of buying this book to not only read it and try a few stretches, but put it into action and master it before judging it. Shi Yan Ming is in his early fortys and has studied Shaolin Kung Fu every day since he was five. If you take advice about Kung Fu from knowone else, take it from Shi Yan Ming. Not only is he a Master of Shaolin Kung Fu, but a Master of himself...

Amituofo,
John Talley

Other than the book being filled by the author's pics, I think the book is still of value to anyone who wants to experience something different.I really liked the stretching exercises, which are a shift from the western method of stretching.In particular there was a hamstring stretch that had you stretch these muscles from a different angle.This is very admirable, in the sense that I clearly saw how these exercises would promote stability and strength.
The stretches are 3 dimensional in character-I couldn't help but to love them to death!
He has some motivational words peppered throughout the book, and they got my attention:
-You can't break bricks with just your mind, or just your hand.
-Confidence is the key to success.
-Paradise is inside you.
These words have a life, and they complimented my biblical studies.You don't have to be an aetheist, budhist or follower of any particular faith to find this book valuable.
Last but not least the Kung Fu moves really help in relaxation, I felt like some webs had been removed from my mind.

Of course it cannot serve as a total substitute for experiencing the real thing, but this book still manages to share a tremendous amount of knowledge in a very accessible format. It contains gorgeous, often stunning, photography as well as helpful and concise instructions. I particularly like the conclusion of each section with a passage of philosophical thoughts. The book does a great job with balancing the presentation of techniques for improving oneself both physically and mentally.

Even if you ultimately do not adhere to the exact 28 day regimen as suggested by the subtitle of this book, you will most certainly find many valuable lessons to incorporate into your daily life.

A great workout book that can be learned in 28 days and will actually transform you. After just a few days I could feel myself standing taller and walking with better posture. I bought 2 more books for gifts, and I would recommend it to everyone. I am 70 now and still an active windsurfer, so staying flexible and healthy is especially important to me. Joe

This is an excellent book for several reasons - the most important of which, for me, is the fact that it clearly illustrates how physical motion, life philosophy and spiritual growth are intextricably intertwined.
Of course, you cannot become a KungFu master in 28 days but, if you train the "Warrior's Way" and really push yourself, your Body and Soul will, undoubtably be transformed - that is what the book claims to do. The limitation is ourselves, not a book or master. A Sifu can only show the way, the individual has to walk the path, and master themselves.
There is ample reason to read this book even if you do not train physically because the life philosophy applies to all. It is remarkable how concepts like make your body flexible and your mind will become flexible are illustrated in a manner which individuals can follow in practice.
This book talks about action meditation and, rather than get involved in the intricacies of trying to verbalize a transcendent philosophy, simply gives an opportunity to internalize it in the traditional way - through Action Meditation.
The illustrations are beautiful and clearly express philosophy in action - whether it be open your mind/open your body OR 'extend your physical' and 'extend your mental'.
Also, Chan philosophy says anything can be meditation - 'sitting meditation' is just one aspect. It is the attitude which is meditative.
Finally, I noticed some people criticizing the book (or the author) - this does not make sense because they surely could not have already tried this program (its not been 28 days since the release). Good luck.

Words in the title like "workout", "transforming your body and soul" influenced me that this book can be used to start training at home. Reading available excerpts and reviews by existing practitioners convinced me to go and get one. Yes, I wanted to get through the workout in 28 days.

The book starts with an insight at the history of martial arts in China , Shaolin temple and a brief biography of Sify Shi Yan Ming. The second chapter on how to commit and train is inspiring. Sifu's instruction - "Don't be afraid of going slow" and "Train Harder" is worth to remember in the journey.

The workouts distributed in four parts increases with complexity as you progress. Each session ends with an inspiring note. Sifu's notes encourages you to work harder and will change your outlook to life. This book rightfully transforms your body and soul.

My journey is now in the 13th session (after two months)- Sifu's instruction not to skip a session and jump ahead to the next if you are finding it complex is worth adhering to. This book will not make you a martial artist but the workouts will make you fit, confident and lift your spirits.

Treat "The Shaolin Workout" as 28 Steps to Transform Your Body and Soul and your first step to pursue your dream.

The pictures are lively, and Sifu's boundless love of life is infectious. I bought the book to get a fresh approach to my normal karate routine. Some of the stretches are pretty familiar, but there are enough nuances to spice things up. Some of the daily meditations are a little over the top ("you are beautiful!"), but the enthusiasm is catchy.

What an honor to be able to learn from the man who truly embodies the meaning fo the word "Sifu." The book is a great tool for polishing your mind, body, and most of all your spirit. The exercise program is laid out in such a way that you really do learn. I would recomend this book as one of Sifu's students, as a martial artist, and as a human. Unlike Angus, I have actually read the book and put it to the test. If he feels so strongly about discouraging people from changing their lives in any manner, then I feel sorry for him. I can only encourage the to have More Chi! and to Train Harder! Amitoufo.

I have been working through the Shaolin Workout after receiving it as a Christmas gift. It is a well paced workout, thoughtful and excellent for increasing or regaining flexibility. I find it to be uplifting physically and emotionally with focused meditations after each day's workout. I highly recommend it.