Mastering Kung Fu (Mastering Martial Arts Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Benny Meng (Author), Richard Loewenhagen (Author) "A preponderance of evidence exists to conclude that the hand-to-hand combat skills thought of today as martial arts were practiced widely in China since well..." (more)
Key Phrases: paak sau, tan sau, jong sau, Chi Sim, Jeui Ying, Ming Dynasty (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The trio of Gee, Meng, and Loewenhagen has delivered a knock out punch that's sure to shake up the martial world. Their shrewd, analytical approach penetrates the mysticism that obscures modern Wing Chun kung fu to reveal its practical applications for both combat self-defense and living in harmony. A must read for anyone interested in real, authentic kung fu!”

Gene Ching
Associate Publisher, Kung Fu Qigong and KungfuMagazine.com

"The authors have devoted many hours to researching the historical and technical aspects of Wing Chun branches. In doing so, they have helped to bring devotees of this art closer together, providing us all with a common focal point in the form. This volume will, no doubt, become a valued reference
for many years to come.”

David Peterson
Principal instructor, Melbourne Martial Arts Club

“Overall, this book makes for fascinating reading and is bound to get you thinking.”

From MartialArts.About.com

Product Description

From the traditions, history, and evolution of kung fu to the subtleties of advanced Wing Chun techniques and tactics, Mastering Kung Fu has everything you need to develop your skill and take your training to the next level.

Mastering Kung Fu introduces these advanced theories that show you how science plays as much a role in kung fu as art:

-Centerline theory
-Two lines of offense and defense
-Three reference points
-Five line (dimensional) theory
-Five phases of combat
-Six gates concept
-Kiu sau (bridge arm) employment concepts
-Chi sau (sticking hand) concepts

You will see how space and time factor into successful, tactical maneuvers. Then, by combining these principles with detailed instruction on advanced techniques, you will be able to add the concepts to your own arsenal to improve your combat skills—even if you are an established black belt!

In addition, you will discover the ancient combat secrets of the monks by tracing the evolution of Shaolin kung fu from the Northern Temples to the Southern Temples. Learn how the Chan Buddhist philosophy of universal harmony has influenced the advancement of Wing Chun kung fu, and how it contributes to the way in which kung fu is performed today.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics; 1 edition (September 29, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736045686
• ISBN-13: 978-0736045681
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #323,747 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding the "Idea at the Beggining"., January 20, 2007

By	PD28 (Ohio) - See all my reviews

A truly wonderful book written by the "real deal". Great facts layed out in textbook format so that anyone can attempt to begin to comprehend what is at the core of this martial science. Once the practioner understands "the idea" he can then look forward to falling into the bottomless pit of knowledge that is Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun Kuen. Created in the Southern Shaolin Temples over 350 years ago, a streamlined, highly technical system, that combined thousands of years of martial art knowledge with the Treasures and Wisdoms of Shaolin Chan to create a kind of ultimate combat system. Kept secret inside secret societies and families for generations, it is now offered to the public by Grandmaster Gee for examination and exploration.

This book was written by true artists and practioners. It is sort of like a textbook, trying to read this like a story or like some other martial arts books are written, with flowery phrasing, and grand stories about kung fu are wasting their time. This book is for those who wish to take the first step toward understanding what one of the "real" martial sciences today is all about. This book is a real eye opener for some and that's what its all about. After you read this book you wont be the same, and you wont be able to go back to not knowing.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Benefit for the Neophyte Martial Artists, February 23, 2004

By	Daniel Duran (Houston,TX USA) - See all my reviews

As a complete neophyte to the martial arts world and Wing Chun Kung Fu I found the reading of this book to be pure nectar and very enlivening. The body of knowledge found in this book is vast and intricate, however, the authors present this to us in a direct and systematic way making this knowledge very comprehensible. This book was highly recommended to me and I forward that recommendation to anyone who wants a complete, authoritative introduction to martial arts and Wing Chun Kung Fu.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Combat reality through universal truth, December 16, 2003

By	Darryl A. Holt, Dayon, Ohio "jibri41592" (Dayton, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

With so many books on the study and practice of Kung Fu on the market, particularly on the art of Wing Chun, its rare that a martial art book describes in so much detail as to its conception and systems' methodology. Master Kung Fu; Shaolin Wing Chun, is an excellent resource for the serious martial artist. I believe that in order to getting the most from this book, the reader must first approach the book from a completely open-minded context. Especially if you are a martial artist from another style or better yet, another lineage of Wing Chun. Without this approach it may be difficult to identify with many of the principles and concepts presented from the Chi Sim System and leading in particularly the Hung Fa Yi Wing Chun perspective. The combine authors of Garrett gee, Benny Meng and Richard Lowehagen provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the historical account of the development of the Hung Fa Yi(HFY) System.

The authors explores how the Shaolin Monks influence the system with its emphasis on the Chan Buddhist philosophy of harmony and enlightenment along with the combat experience of the Ming Military Dynasty officers which were instrumental in the development of the world most efficent and effective martial art know to man. Scientific analyses are axplained using the universal truth of nature within the limits of the human body. This permitted a consistency in a variety of HFY Wing Chun techniques. The authors also share some of the HFY wing Chun's customs, traditions and symbolism. One of the most profound element of Master Kung Fu is the scientific approach to combat utilizing the concept of Time, Space and Energy. Rarely has a combat system been studied from a three-dimentional context with emphasis on body self-awareness/references. This is truly unprecedented regarding any hand-to-hand combat system to date. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone serious in their pursue of comabt truth through martial science.

Sure, there are things in the book that many Current Wing Chun practitioners will be able to relate to however, there is much more knowledge presented in this book that will take the average martial artist to the next level, only if, they're willing to view Mastering Kung Fu; Shaolin Wing Fu, with a completely open mind.