Kung Fu Elements: Wushu Training and Martial Arts Application Manual (Hardcover)

by Shou-Yu Liang (Author), Wen-Ching Wu (Author) "There are many martial arts systems being trained by millions of people all over the world..." (more)
Key Phrases: lower your posture, sweep your right leg, photo demonstration, Wushu Sanshou Dao, Liang Shou-Yu, Qing Dynasty (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Kung Fu Elements is the Wushu training manual that martial artists have long awaited. It is the first of its kind in the English language. It contains the essence and elements of both Internal and External Styles of Wushu. It is an invaluable training reference for any instructor or serious student of any style of martial arts! This book contains seven chapters, plus an extensive glossary, including:

*Classifications of Wushu styles, history, and philosophy
*Traditional methods for building a strong foundation
*Techniques for developing powerful kicks
*Sanshou fighting applications and combinations
*Effective uses of grappling (Qinna) and takedown (Shuaijiao) techniques
*Iron Sand Palm training and Cavity Press (Dianxue)
*Internal Strength, Light Body, and many other Kung Fu attainment methods
*A Glossary of Wushu styles, practitioners, and terms

Kung Fu Elements includes the training methods used by ancient Wushu masters to achieve great heights. With this book at your finger tips and your desire to excel, you too can achieve great heights in your martial arts training!

About the Author
Shou-Yu Liang was born in Sichuan in 1942. At age 6, he began his Wushu and Qigong training. He is a recipient of the prestigious Coach of Excellence award by the Chinese government. In his youth, he received many gold medals in provincial and national Wushu, Shuaijiao, and weight lifting competitions. He has written over 20 books and videos about Chinese martial arts and Qigong.

Wen-Ching Wu was born in Taiwan in 1964. He is a prominent practitioner of Internal and External Styles of Wushu, and Qigong. He was an Internal and External Wushu Grandchampion; his accomplishments are included in the book, "China's Contemporary Wushu Masters". He has written and published over 15 books and videos about Chinese martial arts and Qigong.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Way of the Dragon (December 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889659177
• ISBN-13: 978-1889659176
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.3 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #802,382 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wealth of information for the experienced and the novice., May 9, 2003

By	Neil Fusillo "j-random guy" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've done martial arts for a few years now (Hapkido, Shaolin Kung Fu), and I can honestly say that this book is worth every penny. It's packed full from beginning to end with training techniques and applications -- everything from warming up and stretching every joint to stance training and putting power and better root into all of your moves. While the applications are pretty much all Sanshou (which is a little like long fist, and a lot like kickboxing), they're still very practical applications to learn. The more advanced qigung training techniques are enough to keep one striving for many years to come, and the appendices have a wealth of general information about weapons, forms, styles, and training. All in all, a wonderful book for the price.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed textbook for Wushu, January 7, 2002

By	Scott Moon (Corona, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a student of Wushu for the last six months this book seems to be a much needed textbook. Foundation building and stronger kicks are covered here along with Free form fighting and joint locks. Also some more "exotic" things are covered like Iron Arm and Leg Training and Dim Mak are covered.

A well written book that covers both Internal and External components of Wushu

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing..., January 15, 2003

By	"zen055" (United States) - See all my reviews

After reading through this book I was completely impressed on how much there was to learn. The authors take two approaches, the external and internal. It goes over methods for training Iron Palm, and others, but to do the internal training outlined here the reader needs the book titled "Qigong Empowerment" by the same authors. There is so much to learn, get it and start practicing as soon as possible.