The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu: The Secrets of Kung Fu for Self-Defense, Health, and Enlightenment (Tuttle Martial Arts) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This complete and comprehensive introduction to kung fu--and other aspects of ancient Shaolin wisdom--will prove invaluable to everyone interested in the martial arts, chi kung, or meditation. It shows how kung fu, as well as other Shaolin practices, can bring you health, vitality, mental focus, and spiritual joy. It includes a history of the various forms of kung fu, an in-depth study of kung fu patterns and sets, and an introduction to kung fu weaponry, along with many stories of Shaolin wisdom and healing.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (November 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804834393
• ISBN-13: 978-0804834391
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,096 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A perfect appetizer into the wonderful realms of Kung Fu, May 10, 2003

By	T Uttley "T Uttley" (Leeds, UK) - See all my reviews

Wong Kiew Kat provides the reader with a complete and full background into the depths of this wonderful art, clearly illustrating the fundamental differences between Kung Fu and other martial arts.

Those who are interested in learning a self-defence that does not concentrate purely on the physical and `external' attributes but also on the mind, then Kung Fu along with this very book is the one for you. Kiew Kat elaborates the importance of attaining spiritual development from Chi techniques emphasising `Internal Force' stressing that this is more important than knowing the sequence of moves.

For the student, Kiew Kat demonstrates how to continual improve self-development in Kung Fu and how to achieve skills quickly and effectively through objectives and aims also underlying the difference between the two. The book guides you through the many forms of Shaolin `hand' shapes and stances that provide the foundations of Kung Fu. Combat sequences and combination sets along with vital illustrations create a more overall comprehensive guide into the physical self-defence and attack form. There is also a small section at the end on the various type of weapons used throughout the history of Kung Fu.

NEGATIVES.
The content of the book has much more value than the cost, but to be an excellent book it lacks grammatically. The author spends far too much time using Chinese references that I could not help thinking were irrelevant to the content and made difficult reading.

POSITIVES.
The book is full of abundant wisdom that would be useful even for the non Kung-Fu practitioner. The exercises to develop strength externally are vigorously hard, yet effective; and the internal `meditation' exercises will make you feel and be very powerful and strong-minded.

This book would mainly suit the beginner and those who have been practising the art for many years but feel that something acute is missing. The book also provides insight into why people who have studied Kung Fu for many years have never been good enough to become a master.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Introduction to Shaolin Kung Fu, October 29, 2004

By	Laura De Giorgio "www.deeptrancenow.com" (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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The book guides you through the theory and some initial practices of Kung Fu.

At the beginning is the overview of historical development of kung fu and different kung-fu styles, then some suggestions and tips for getting more out of your practice in the shorter time.

Then begins the practical part of the book with the foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu. Here you learn about different hand forms, stances and basic patterns.

The sequence of different practice sets is accompanied by appropriate illustrations (hand-drawn, not pictures).

There is a small section dealing with internal martial arts as well as suggested practices for qin-na and Tiger Claw.

One section deals with classical kung fu weapons, and then you're guided through some additional chi-kung exercises and meditation practices.

All in all, a wonderful introductory book on Shaolin Kung Fu.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful overview on Shaolin--essential but not sufficient, October 7, 2004

By	Don Gunn (on a brown Cannondale in Hellifax) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Great book on Shaolin Kung Fu, period. If you are interested in a discipline of martial arts bent on personal growth, inner calm, heinous & effective self defense techniques, or even stress management and general health this may be just the ticket for you.
I started studying under Shaolin Master Chen about eight months ago, and quested out this book for more information about how what I was learning and practicing fit into the overall patchwork of Shaolin.
The book can be separated into three specific sections, Background & History, Applications & Forms, Chi Kung & Zen Training.
The history can be a little daunting for those unfamiliar with terms, but is pretty comprehensive and not hard to follow. I was pleasantly satisfied by this sections thoroughness. I feel like I understand much more about the history and lineage of this ancient art/way of life.
The applications & forms section would be very useful once an exponent has had some training in Shaolin arts, but I do not think that Kung Fu can at all be learned by a book. This material can be added to a solid study under a master, but is not in any way sufficient to learning on it's own [not that the author ever indtended this]. Many simple diagrams are used to indicate clearly what the various techniques accomplish. Very well done, this section will be a resource of new techniques for years to come.
The thrid section on Zen & Chi Kung training is wonderful, and crucial to Shaolin training. I have noticed an immense difference in every aspect of life since I began Iron Stomach Chi Kung training five months ago.

The focus of this book is certainly Shaolin training, Chi Kung and Zen are introduced but more as explainations of their natural extension and ability to deepen one's Shaolin Training. This I can certainly attest to. Wong Kiew Kit has many published books on Zen, Chi Kung, and Tai Chi, I am certain that later in my training I'll get into these as well. Great resources.

It may be of interest that you can arrange to have classes with Grandmaster Kit, as he travels across the world doing classes, go to his website www.wongkiewkit.com for more information.

So if you are currently in some shaolin training, I would certainly recommend this book to further understanding. If one is interested in Shaolin but has no training I would first seek out a Master locally, and then branch to readings on the subject.

One can read as much as you like about what a calzone tastes like but the only real understanding comes from experience and actually tasting a calzone. So go out and experience this amazing Martial Art. It will help you make yourself increase your energy, decrease your feelings of vulnerability, increase abilities in self defense, help you sleep better, face situations with more inner calm, make you happier, stronger & healthier...

Which are some pretty good things you know.