Art of Shaolin Kung Fu

This unique book offers a comprehensive and practical introduction to kung fu and all the other aspects of Shaolin wisdom. An inspirational read, it shows how kung fu and other Shaolin arts can bring you health, vitality, and spiritual joy. It includes many practical exercises and meditation techniques and provides a fascinating history of various styles of kung fu, how kung fu patterns and sets are constructed, and the strategies for victory developed. This is a seminal guide which will be invaluable to everyone interested in martial arts, meditation, stress management, healing, and spiritual development.

Wong Kiew Kit has practiced and taught Shaolin arts for more than 30 years

List of Illustrations

xi

Preface

xv

What Is Kung Fu?

1

(9)

Four Aspects of Kung Fu

1

(1)

The Visible Aspect of Form

2

(1)

The Importance of Force Training

3

(1)

Application for Combat and Daily Living

4

(1)

Kung Fu Philosophy for Deeper Understanding

4

(1)

The Benefits of Kung Fu

5

(2)

Mind Expansion and Spiritual Development

7

(3)

The Historical Development of Chinese Martial Arts

10

(8)

Kung Fu in Prehistoric and Ancient Times

10

(2)

The Glorious Han and Tang

12

(2)

The Song, the Yuan and the Ming

14

(2)

The Modern Period

16

(2)

From Shaolin to Taijiquan

18

(12)

Kung Fu and Quanshu

18

(1)

Shaolin Kung Fu

19

(2)

Changquan or Long Fists

21

(3)

Yan Qing, Deceptive Movements and the Monkey Style

24

(1)

The Various Styles of Taijiquan

25

(3)

Soft and Hard, Internal and External

28

(2)

A Comparative Study of Kung Fu

30

(12)

Contrasting Shaolin and Wudang Kung Fu

31

(1)

Internal Palm of Bagua Kung Fu

31

(2)

Xingyi Kung Fu and Taoist Concepts

33

(1)

The Philosophies of Wudang Kung Fu

34

(1)

Wuzuquan or Kung Fu of Five Ancestors

35

(1)

Tanglangquan or Praying Mantis Kung Fu

36

(2)

The Spread of Southern Shaolin Kung Fu

38

(1)

Major Southern Shaolin Styles

39

(3)

Defining Aims and Objectives

42

(12)

The Importance of Theoretical Knowledge

42

(1)

The Three Requirements for Attainment

43

(3)

Direction and Purpose

46

(1)

Setting Aims for Kung Fu Training

47

(2)

Personal Objectives

49

(2)

Course Objectives

51

(3)

The Foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu

54

(14)

Inheritance from Past Masters

54

(1)

The Significance of Form and Formlessness

55

(1)

Various Shaolin Hand Forms

56

(4)

Horseriding and Other Stances

60

(4)

Basic Shaolin Patterns

64

(4)

From Form to Combat Application

68

(16)

The Four Directions of Attack

68

(1)

An Imaginary Opponent in Skill Training

69

(2)

The Principles of Effective Combat

71

(4)

Specific Techniques Against Kicks

75

(4)

Felling and Holding Techniques

79

(5)

Combat Sequences and Set Practice

84

(18)

Linking Patterns to Form Sequences

84

(2)

Various Sequences for Practice

86

(8)

Relieving Injuries Sustained in Sparring

94

(1)

Linking Sequences to Form Sets

94

(5)

Composing Your Own Kung Fu Sets

99

(3)

Shaolin Five Animals

102

(17)

Understanding Characteristics and Essence

102

(3)

Some Preliminary Information

105

(1)

The Five-Animal Set

106

(11)

The Names of the Five-Animal Patterns

117

(2)

Five-Animal Combination Set

119

(15)

How to Improve Combat Efficiency

119

(1)

The Fascination of Kung Fu Application

120

(6)

Spacing and Timing in Combat

126

(6)

Advanced Techniques to Clinch Victory

132

(2)

The Internal Force of Shaolin Kung Fu

134

(15)

The Relationship Between Technique and Force

134

(2)

The Art of One-Finger Shooting Zen

136

(3)

Developing Forceful Punches

139

(3)

The Compassionate Art of Qin-Na

142

(1)

The Internal Force of Tiger Claw

143

(6)

Tactics and Strategies

149

(8)

Techniques, Tactics and Strategies

149

(2)

The Legacy of Past Masters

151

(1)

Using Continuous Attack Effectively

152

(1)

A Tactic to Distract Your Opponent

153

(1)

Selecting Strategies to Suit Particular Situations

154

(3)

Classical Kung Fu Weapons

157

(11)

Why are Classical Weapons Still Being Used?

157

(1)

Staffs

158

(2)

Whips, Knives and Other Weapons

160

(2)

The Spear Family

162

(2)

Light and Heavy Weapons

164

(2)

Common Implements as Weapons

166

(2)

Understanding and Developing Chi

168

(11)

From Combat Efficiency to Spiritual Development

168

(1)

The Various Genres of Chi Kung

169

(2)

The Three Elements of Chi Kung

171

(2)

Lifting the Sky

173

(2)

Lohan Embracing Buddha

175

(2)

Abdominal Breathing

177

(2)

Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen

179

(10)

Cultivating Heart, Nourishing Nature

179

(1)

Discipline and Wisdom

180

(3)

What is Ultimate Reality?

183

(3)

Bodhidharma and Taoism in Zen

186

(3)

The Shaolin Way to Enlightenment

189

(12)

Attaining a Focused Mind

189

(2)

Meditation to Train Awareness

191

(2)

Investigating Cosmic Reality?

193

(1)

The Zen of Bodhidharma and Hui Neng

194

(3)

Shaolin Kung Fu for Spiritual Development

197

(1)

Different Attainments for Different Needs

198

(3)

Notes

201

(1)

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Art of Shaolin Kung Fu

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials