Kung Fu Practice

It is a general introduction book. There are 3 parts.

The first Part described a brief history and philosophy of Daoism and Buddhist Chan meditation methods. A view of life from these 2 big schools of thought is discussed. How these 2 ways of thinking may be related to martial arts analysis.

In Part II, legends of styles are discussed. Some basic techniques, timing, space, tactics and strategy are briefly mentioned.

In Part III, key tactics and strategy of styles are discussed. The structure of forms (Tao Lu) is introduced.

The first Part, how to analyze a technique is introduced.

in Part II, the three golden methods of study are discussed. They are the method of analysis (Xin Fa), the method of basic practice (Gong Fa), and the method of technique (Ji Fa).

In Part III, IV, and V, five styles are discussed according to these three methods of study. The styles are Tai Chi, Ba Gua, Tong Bei, Ba Ji and Qin Na Shu.
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The theory of thirteen postures is discussed in Part I. They are Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou and Kao (eight power methods) and Jin, Tui, Gu, Pan, and Ding (five stepping methods). This is the basis of Tai Chi fighting methods.

Practice examples are listed with analysis of the 13 methods in Part II. Quotation from classics is cited throughout the text. The practice examples are actually fighting scenario.

Finally, the first 16 postures of Chen Tai Ji old frame are analyzed with the 13 methods and applications are discussed in Part III.

The book gives the reader the idea of 13 methods in his study and practice of Tai Chi.

In Part I, the basic stances and eight basic palm postures are discussed.

There are single palm change sets from 8 styles discussed in the rest of the book.

The purpose of the book is to introduce the basic structure and basic palms of Ba Gua. One palm posture from 8 styles is studied as an example for how to study and practice Ba Gua. The reader also has a taste of the flavors from 8 styles.

There are over 100 techniques discussed. Each technique is illustrated with pictures. How to integrate the moves and change according to the opponent’s countermove is discussed in the synopsis section..

Ba Ji fist was used as bodyguard fighting methods. How to use the fist, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and foot is discussed.

The theory of hand technique is discussed using examples from some classic moves in the style.

The concept of a posture or a sequence of moves is also introduced.

The book gives the reader an overview of the power structure, distribution, balance and delivery in the body.

How to contact, interact and absorb the opponent’s power is discussed (Part I).

Some characteristic powers from 5 styles are studied (Part II).

How to do relaxation exercise before and after practice, how to practice standing postures, how to use equipments to develop powers, and how to train with a partner safely are discussed in Part III.

The story of the power is behind all the moves and postures. It is the reason why and how the moves and postures have a fighting utility.

Ba Ji or Eight Extreme Fist is known to be straightforward and powerful. It is widely practiced in Meng Village, Cang Zhou County, He Bei, northern China.

In the previous book, "Ba Zi Jie Xie: A Talk on Rake Fist", the basic 7 hand methods were discussed. They are Cloud (Yun), Pull (Luo), Rise (Ti), Press (An), Hook (Diao), Enclose (Bao) and Entanglement (Chan). In addition, there is the 8th hand method called Stick (Zhan).

From the 8 basic hand methods, we may further develop and characterize 24 hand methods. In current book, the 24 hand methods will be introduced. They are represented by 24 single Chinese characters. Each hand method may be coupled to one or 2 other hand methods. These hand methods are interchangeable among themselves.

It is a good book for people that are interested in the style. The analysis of fighting methods is universal among all styles. Thus, it is also a good book for people that practice other styles.