Look Beyond the Pointing Finger: The Combat Philosophy of Wong Shun Leung (Expanded 2nd Edition)
By David Peterson
The Chinese martial art of Wing Chun kung fu is one of the most popular combat systems being practiced today. The late Grandmaster of the art, Ip Man, who first brought Wing Chun to Hong Kong in 1949, and his famous student, the late Bruce Lee, are well-known exponents of the system. Lesser known outside of Hong Kong, but equally deserving of recognition for his excellence as a fighter and teacher, is the subject of this book, the late Wing Chun Master Wong Shun Leung.
In this volume, the first of its kind in the English language, author David Peterson, student of Sifu Wong and prolific writing on the “WSL Way” in many international publications, presents the personal wisdom of one of the last great warriors of the 20th Century.
Profusely illustrated with many photographs exclusive to the author, Look Beyond the Pointing Finger: The Combat Philosophy of Wong Shun Leung is a book from which martial artists of any system, especially of Wing Chun, will gain both inspiration and a greater insight into the development of their own Personal Protection skills.
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Cranes Production
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0957957009
ISBN-13: 978-0957957008
Check out the Book Promo Trailer in the Video Gallery.
Wing Chun: The Works
By Alan Gibson
Wing Chun kung fu is one of the most popular and practical martial arts systems in the world today; Alan Gibson is one of the foremost authors in the method and presents us here, with a thorough investigation through the form and function of this very popular Chinese art.
This is a comprehensive and functional reference that gets right to the heart of Wing Chun. The Works is an updated collection of Alan’s pragmatic, Why Wing Chun Works series of books, packed with exiting new writing, philosophy and photography, all laid out in a straightforward manner.
We are taken on an elegant journey through all six Wing Chun forms and each one is discussed in detail through concepts, applications and training effect. Every aspect of the Wing Chun method is discussed and then, neatly woven back into the whole.
Great care has been taken to investigate all the elements of Wing Chun to ensure the core principles and concepts of the system can be used to solve modern challenges associated with today’s pavement arena.
Written in his familiar, easy reading style, Alan’s friendly coaching voice is constantly backed up with concise and dependable information from respected experts.
This volume is one that any fan of the martial arts will surely benefit from reading and one that you really cannot do without.
Paperback: 315 pages
Publisher: Peacenick Press
Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-9534895-1-0
Beginning Wing Chun: Why Wing Chun Works (2nd Edition)
By Alan Gibson
Setting a new benchmark in martial arts literature, this completely revised edition has been updated to reflect the evolution of training methods, both of the author and of the martial arts world in general.
Once again, the book is clearly illustrated with photography and diagrams, but in addition it now contains a complete set of training drills, with key footwork and concept linking methods. Fighting practice, fence work, and strength and conditioning are also included in this comprehensive reworking of a classic book.
This uniquely popular, and in depth study, systematically explains all the essential concepts, principles and basic training methods of the Wing Chun system. Beautifully illustrated with easily understood, clear, pictures and diagrams. Holistic health and philosophical arguments are also fully covered.
Why Wing Chun Works is an essential training aid for anyone thinking about, or already studying Wing Chun. The Wing Chun system has many logical and systematic learning methods; similarly this book is divided into sections to facilitate the learning process, and to make cross-referencing simple.
Why Wing Chun Works will also prove invaluable for other experienced martial artists wishing to broaden their horizons by studying different arts. This book explains: How Wing Chun works, why it is so effective in practice and why its methods are so different to other arts.
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Summersdale Publishers
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1840245468
ISBN-13: 978-1840245462
Simple Thinking, Intelligent Fighters (Why Wing Chun Works II)
By Alan Gibson
If you enjoyed Alan Gibson’s first book, you will love this one! This is the exiting sequel to his very popular first tome Why Wing Chun Works (“the most comprehensive book available on the subject currently available…”).
In Simple Thinking: Intelligent Fighters Alan explains how individual techniques and positions evolve as a result of the underlying Wing Chun concepts, and the forces we are likely to meet in combat. There is lots of beautiful and detailed photography, and the clearly explained text describes how the fighting applications relate to Wing Chun theory. Techniques and training methods (Chi Sao) are examined.
This book will undoubtedly become an invaluable reference work, both for Wing Chun practitioners and to all other thinking martial artists.
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Summersdale Publishers
Language: English
ISBN-10: 184024299X
ISBN-13: 978-1840242997
The Wing Chun Forms: Combat Textbooks (Why Wing Chun Works III)
By Alan Gibson
As with his first two volumes, Alan has once again managed to capture the essence of the Wing Chun system using clear photography and practical fighting applications.
Alan’s first book, Why Wing Chun Works, looked at the general theories and concepts of the Wing Chun system. His second book, Simple Thinking: Intelligent Fighters, examined the techniques, and training methods like Chi Sau.
This time, we are taken us on a detailed journey through the first two “empty-hand” forms and the unique Wooden Dummy form. Together, these three forms constitute the basic training methods and combat philosophy of the Wing Chun system. The entire Wooden Dummy form is illustrated in numbered pictures.
After finishing this book, the reader will not only have a detailed knowledge of the depth of the information contained within the forms, they will also have been inspired to discover ever greater insights into the Wing Chun personal combat system, and have at their disposal a superb reference which they will refer to for inspiration again and again.
This book is a must for every martial arts library.
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Summersdale Publishers
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1840243759
ISBN-13: 978-1840243758
Complete Wing Chun: The Definitive Guide to Wing Chun’s History and Traditions
By Robert Chu, René Ritchie and Y. Wu
When Bruce Lee first exploded onto television and movies, he captured the imagination and hearts of people all over the world. With the fame of Bruce Lee, the conditions in Hong Kong, and the hard work and effort of many of his classmates, the Wing Chun of his teacher Ip Man became one of the most well-known and popular Chinese martial arts in the world. Although this gave Wing Chun international recognition, it also led to a lot of misconceptions. Due to a lack of real information, many mistakenly came to assume that the renowned Ip Man was the sole inheritor of the style and that his Wing Chun was the lone version of the art.
In fact, there are several different and distinct systems of Wing Chun. Unfortunately, over the years most of these systems have remained unseen or unreported to all but a few. Where then do these misconceptions come from?
Over time, Wing Chun’s real history has become a mish-mash of factual accounts and fictionalized stories. Early secrecy and modern marketing did much to create and fuel the confusion. Legends like Ng Mui and Yim Wing Chun are believed to be the sole founders of the art and a single lineage through Leung Bok-Chao, Leung Lan-Kwai, Wong Wah-Bo, and Leung Yee-Tai to Leung Jan has become accepted as the only branch.
The doors of Wing Chun, however, were never this closed, nor the line this limited. Over the generations, many highly skilled masters of the past have learned the art, contributed enormously to its development, and passed along their knowledge. Yet, masters such as Cheung “Tan Sao” Ng and many of the Red Junk actors like “Dai Fa Min” Kam, “Gao Lo” Chung, “Hung Gan” Biu and their descendents have disappeared entirely from all but a very few records.
As Wing Chun’s origins and development have remained relatively unknown, so has its true breadth. Inside the Bamboo Curtain of the People’s Republic of China, however, many branches including the Yuen Kay-San, Gu Lao, Pao Fa Lien, Jee Shim, Pan Nam, Hung Suen, Pien San, and even the early Foshan students of Yip Man survived the rise of communism and the Cultural Revolution. While the Yip Man style was brought into Hong Kong around 1950, the Yuen Kay-San, Pao Fa Lien, Pien San, and Jee Shim styles followed soon thereafter. Beyond China, Wing Chun spread into South East Asia over half a century ago and today many unique versions of the art can be found in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and surrounding areas.
Thus, it has been very difficult to find real information on the Wing Chun family of styles, especially in the western world—until now. Complete Wing Chun, for the first time, presents seldom seen information on over a dozen branches of the Wing Chun art. It is hoped that this volume will serve as a helpful resource for the interested newcomer and as a valuable reference for the long-time enthusiast.
Check out Dr. Chu’s website here.
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0804831416
ISBN-13: 978-0804831413
Mind & Body Metamorphosis: Conditioning Techniques For Personal Transformation
By Dr. Matthew Mills
Known more as a fighting art in the West, kung fu training is a progressive and powerful conditioning system, grounded in solid scientific principles. Mind & Body Metamorphosis translates kung fu training into a step-by-step program for total conditioning.
The term kung fu does not actually mean fighting rather a better translation is attainment, fitness or readiness. Attainment can mean learning to remain calm under difficult circumstances, controlling your weight or fighting the effects of age or inactivity. Life and death fights are fortunately rare these days, the latter forms of attainment make kung fu as relevant today as ever—maybe more so.
Life has changed tremendously over the last few decades. Most of us now lead sedentary lives, under considerable pressure and uncertainty. As a result we are becoming increasingly anxious, depressed, overweight and prematurely aged.
The Mind & Body Metamorphosis program specifically targets these issues by developing;
- Self-confidence: Maintaining a positive view of ourselves
- Weight Control: Maintaining body fat at reasonable levels
- Age Prevention: Maintaining the strength of muscle and bone
- Disease Prevention: Maintaining the health of internal organs such as the heart
Each exercise is thoroughly illustrated, presented with interesting variations, and graded by colour like the belt systems in Judo and Karate. Skills learned in one exercise form the foundation for the next, allowing ease of progression. The system can adapt to almost any need, location or time constraint, and requires no special equipment—the book is all you need. There are no fads, gimmicks or false promises, just a system which is direct, complete and effective.
Contents:
- Introduction: The roots of Mind & Body Metamorphosis and the training syllabus
- Developing Calm Focus: Meditative exercises for a calm and positive outlook
- Developing A Strong Foundation: Chi Kung breathing exercises
- Developing Stamina: Wing Chun kung fu exercises for stamina and weight control
- Developing Power: Wu Shu exercises for developing muscle
Paperback: 144 pages
Publisher: Continuo Creative Ltd
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-1840245493
Check out Dr. Mills’ website here.
Mind & Body Metamorphosis: Conditioning Techniques For Personal Transformation
By Dr. Matthew Mills
Masters Mind & Body builds on the ideas presented in the original volume. The Advanced Program is delivered over a 12-week period, progressing through increasingly demanding stages from White to Black. As you master one series of skills another is added at the most basic level. Each lesson is designed to help you understand your objective, provide the best techniques to reach it, and develop the foundation for further growth. Each chapter revisits basic training principles before presenting advanced conditioning concepts. The Advanced syllabus uses new skills to greatly enhance those you have already acquired.
Mental focus and a positive attitude are critical to success, and the syllabus begins with exercises to put you in the right frame of mind to get the most out of training. The advanced program builds these positive thinking skills into an upbeat Worldview using philosophical concepts from Buddhism. Advanced Qi Gong develops basic breathing techniques into sophisticated set of exercises, called The Eight Pieces of Brocade, designed to systematically enhance coordination between mind and body. This establishes the essential foundation for advanced stamina training, combining traditional Form and Mind Boxing with the most up to date techniques. Developing muscular power begins halfway through the course, having acclimatised ourselves to a markedly increased exercise intensity. The Advanced Program takes another quantum leap in exercise intensity and expression of muscular power through Hard Kung training.
The Masters Mind and Body Metamorphosis program is inescapably more demanding and sophisticated than its predecessor. Your commitment will manifest in significantly higher conditioning and deeper insight into your training, translating to greater leverage in reaching your goals The laurel of mastery is not without cost and, as in most areas of life, our achievements are earned by the effort and sacrifice we are willing to make. But then, as so often proves the case, something simply given has no value.
- Self-confidence: Maintaining a positive view of ourselves
- Weight Control: Maintaining body fat at reasonable levels
- Age Prevention: Maintaining the strength of muscle and bone
- Disease Prevention: Maintaining the health of internal organs such as the heart
Contents:
- Introduction: A work in progress
- Mastery: How the Masters learn
- Developing Calm focus: Bite-sized Buddhism
- Developing Strong Foundations: Qi Gong and The Eight Pieces of Brocade
- Developing Stamina: Basic and advanced kung fu training for stamina
- Developing Power: Basic and advanced kung fu training for strength and power
- Special Situations: Deskbound: down, but not out, integration: principled training, sample routines
Hardback: 144 pages
Publisher: Qi Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-13: 978-0955927102
Check out Dr. Mills’ website here.
