Outstanding martial arts
584511
This movie was outstanding; I can't believe I hadn't seen Donnie Yen before.  There are a lot of negative comments regarding subtitles and dubbing--I would like to point out that on the BluRay version, there are options for Mandarin, Cantonese, and English (and maybe more, I can't remember), with subtitles.  The quality is great--I believe the film becomes intentionally more monochromatic and grainy after the Japanese invasion.  Understanding that this is a movie about a grandmaster, we expect embellishment with the fight scenes (things like people defying gravity and such), but it is kept to a minimum.  Overall, an outstanding film.  I would like to see Wing Chun in more movies rather than only the typical Northern styles.
4118775
If you are a student of kenpo karate, you will not regret purchasing this DVD.  Your progress will accelerate.  You will be able to review before classes.  Katas and Pinans that seemed complicated will be easy to learn.  Why? Because you can use the pause button on your remote to break the kata or pinan or combination down into easy to learn segments.

When you get this DVD, you will want the second in the series.  If you are a serious student you will appreciate what a find this DVD is.  James Bouchard is a fantastic instructor. You get an advanced student showing the kata or pinan then James Bouchard explains and demonstrates move by move.  When he shows the combinations, he shows it "in the air" then mirror view then with a student punching in.

These DVDs are the reason, I am confident that I will earn my black belt someday!!!
1995012
I recently became interested in learning Tai Chi after perusing a variety of bookstores looking for sword techniques and styles I thought offered a balance between grace, usefulness, and agility.  I settled on Tai Chi after looking at the forms and the styles that compose it.  As you may or may not know... learning any sword technique from a book is very difficult as it is just as intensive with footwork as it is with the sword itself and sometimes moreso, and after a couple of weeks I was getting nowhere fast.

  I ordered this DVD with another one and found the other one would not play in the player... which was more than a little discouraging.  I put this one in and was greatly relieved, at first just because it worked, but as I watched it there became some clarity in pace and footwork that was not at all apparent in the book I was using.

  The DVD goes through several phases:  including a breathing and postures phase, the 54 forms, the 54 forms in chapter format, drills for two people, and a few other things.  The heart of tai chi is the 54 forms, and they are clearly performed in one long string, subtitled to show which form is currently being performed.  This is very daunting to study or try as a beginner, but I imagine will be extremely useful to someone who has learned most of the forms.  The real meat of the DVD to me is the breakdown, which each form is shown once in very slow execution, allowing for study, then shown again at a faster pace on an attacker.  I cannot stress the usefulness of this.  I haven't seen a book that showed application of technique... only the technique themselves... I was (and still am) hugely impressed with this extra step.  It gives you not only the correct, clear way to perform a form, but demonstrates its use and footwork very clearly.  If you are interested in learning a sword style, I highly recommend this DVD... there are also additional ads for other DVDs this company produces and I definitely will be buying some of those as the clarity of the video and the teaching style is very illumative and well done.
905113
First, for those who suspect that 5-star reviews are coming from friends of the Chens, let me state that this is my first time ever hearing of the Chens. They are in NYC and I am in California. I just purchased this DVD on sale at Borders, and must say I am quite impressed.

Now--If you are looking for a bouncy, "TaeBo"-like or aerobic class type of work out--this is not the DVD for you. Go buy TaeBo or one of the other classlike workouts. If, however, you want a serious kickbox workout--check this one out. WARNING: THIS DVD CONTAINS NO FLUFF, NO FRILLS, AND NO JOKES, just kickboxing drills that will give you a killer, full body workout combining core, strength, and cardio moves. It is well balanced and presented with proper form.

I practiced Kajukenbo and kickboxing for several years. This DVD makes me feel right at home and is much less annoying than some of the videos by instructors who have never set foot in a dojo in their lives. You can definitely see and feel the difference. Billy Blanks is a martial artist, so if that is the style you like, go for it. Personally, I love this DVD as it works me--just like in the good old days back in the dojo.
3315388
This book is one of those martial arts books that almost rarely comes to market. The typical martial arts text is usually just a rehashing of basic concepts with photos of forms that are hard to really understand. In other words, not of much value. This books is definitely something different. In this text, Wang Fengming, a seasoned Chen style Taiji master, lays open the intricate aspects of Taiji practice like few others do. Wang is a senior disciple of the late Feng Zhiqiang, who in turn was one of the top disciples of the great Chen Fake.

The book starts with detailed descriptions of Yin-Yang theory and how it applies directly to the body in the context of Taiji practice. Personally, I am a long time professional practitioner of Chinese medicine. I have also authored several acupuncture books and lecture internationally. Even so, I found Wang's introductory chapters insightful in ways that surprised me. The book then continues with chapters on the basic concepts of push hands, the use of silk-reeling exercises to enhance Taiji, and the practice of Neigong (i.e., Qigong) for developing power. After that Wang continues with detailed discussions of the eight basic methods of Taiji and then how they are used in push hands and in real life fighting. There is also a lengthy discussion of the different training methods of authentic push hands, of which there are many. To finish there are chapters on joint locking techniques (chin na) and point striking (dian xue).

What is particularly exciting is that all of the material presented here is authentically from the Taijiquan school of martial arts. Most of the material I've found on joint locking, point striking, or even power development comes from other schools of Chinese martial arts or from Japanese systems. This book is a testament to the fact that Taijiquan is a very deep and effective martial art, most of which is rarely taught or forgotten in modern times. This book gives a real glimpse into the original efficacy and complexity of Taiji was was taught by Chen Fake and the great masters before him. This is a must have for all IMA practitioners.
4255085
This is an amazing book, and an amazing program. A must have for any Shaolin practitioner.

That being said, I've studied Karate for several years, worked with dozens of Senseis, and even a Sifu or two, read tons of books, and many more about general health. This book has done more for me than all the other books I've read.

The book introduces even the simplest neophytes of martial arts into the world of Shaolin gung fu (kung fu). It briefly outlines Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and the Shaolin Kung Fu. The added bits of history are well described, though it will probably be old news for scholars. I enjoyed reading it nonetheless.

It also talks about the life of Sifu Ming, and the trials that he shows people can endure. He is truly an amazing person. This guy reiks of awesome. Whether it's working with students ages 5 to 65, collaborating with The RZA from The Wu-Tang Clan (who is one of his best students), or working on his new mission of rebuilding a Shaolin Temple in NY, you couldn't make this guy up if you tried.

The program itself entails a 28 phase workout. It is designed to be fully understood in as little as 28 days, but  it is not a miracle-workout, a detox, or a weight-watchers challenge. This is a blueprint to how to energize, and tone yourself, for the modern world as well as martial arts training (regardless of style!).

After just a week of studying this workout I've noticed an improvement in myself both in and out of the dojo (or gym if you prefer). This has helped a lot with my posture, my flexability, and to a lesser extent my muscles. This book won't tell you how to pack on muscles and look like a line-backer, but as it reminds us, people who do nothing but lift weights are generally only good at lifting weights. These exercises tone the muscles you'll USE when you train. I feel quite sore after some of the exercises only because they're muscles I generally never flexed when lifting or training, but with these stretches I feel them beginning to harden and improve my abilities.

SIfu's encouragement and meditations are very insightful too. He reminds us that we're all wonderful, and that improving ourselves is something we must always do. Not just something we do when we want to look like a model. He also reminds us that Shaolin Kung Fu is a very approchable subject. Not all monks are men who shave their head and smash bricks with their pinky toes, but rather they are humans who respect others, always do their best, and train harder!

In the end, No; This book won't get you ripped like Bruce Lee in 15 minutes a day for a month. But it will give you the perfect blueprint to improve yourself in all aspects of life. Shaolin is everywhere, not just the temples.

As Sifu says "The more you train, the more you'll WANT to train."

Amitoufo
3093046
Mantak Chia has always been very generous in sharing his learning to a wider audience, and this book is of no exception.  It contains the essential training method of Chinese internal martial art (nei jia quan)for punching, grappling and feet (body) mobility (no high-kick-training).  Its method is biased towards tai-chi with additional focus on building flexible (full body) tendon strength to maintain balance in pulling and pushing situations (in comparison, Wing Chun of Bruce Lee type will have additional focus on scapula opening to facilitate inch-punch).  Needless to say, additional combat practice will be needed for a complete martial art training program.  For the purpose of building good health, the beauty of this system is that it can build full-body strength and flexibility, plus the fact that it will be beneficial to people who are physically weak (because its method is not strenuous yet have powerful benefits).  One additional benefit is that it can help repair damaged tissues caused by previous sport-related, posture-related or age-related injuries.

My review will be incomplete if one common weakness of this practice is not mentioned.  It is that this practice (and tai-chi related practice in general) is weak on training more-or-less perfect alignment.  The best way is to supplement this training with some yoga training (or yogasana, to be precise).

Hitting (self-hitting or with the help of a partner) is part-and-parcel of every martial art practice (especially those with full contact, like boxing).  And hitting-the-meridian (by hand or with aid) is also a common curing practice of Chinese medicine.  Mantak Chia's good contribution here is his recommendation of using mung beans to fill up a cotton sock, excellent for body-building and health-related training.  Needless to say, serious martial art practitioners need to use something more power, as every boxer knows!
1598378
Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is Michael D. Echanis', "Knife Fighting, Knife Throwing for Combat." This book is directly influenced by the Korean martial art of Hwarang Do and its current Grandmaster Joo Bang Lee, who Echanis had studied under before his untimely demise in Nicaragua.

This book along with its two companion volumes, "Basic Stick Fighting for Combat" and "Knife Self-Defense for Combat," were not initially released to the general public, but instead were only available to certified and recognized self-defense instructors. These books were originally intended to be military training manuals for the various elite units in the United States military. These were units such as the Special Forces, Army Rangers, Navy Seals, etc.

This volume, like the other two in this series, starts out with a brief section on the history of Hwarang Do and its relationship to hand-to-hand combat. This is followed by another brief section that looks at the theory and internal dynamics which make up this very impressive art.

Introduction:

This section begins with a lot of practical advice on the use of a knife against an attacker during combat.

3 Phases of Knife Training:

a. Straight Line Attack

b. Counterattack

c. Visualization

2 Knife Fighting Distances:

a. Outside Attacks

b. Inside Attacks

Basic Principles of Knife Fighting:

This section goes over the basic principles that should be utilized when practicing with and/or utilizing a knife in an actual self-defense encounter. I found this section to be very practical and relevant to the topic, although I thought it was a bit brief and worthy of many additional pages.

Six Basic Rules to Observe During Training and Actual Combat:

1. Conceal the weapon...

2. Observation...

3. Focus on deep breathing...

4. Slash, don't stab...

5. Observe the enemy...

6. Breath control and mental focus of power...

Knife Training:

One would be hard pressed to argue that this section includes some of the best information that you can use in order to train effectively with a knife, and for the effective use of said knife in an actual combat situation. This includes such things as not only how and when to train, but also the psychological factors involved in knife training and how to improve your own mental abilities.

Strategy:

Once again this is a section that is so well done that it can be applied to all forms of combat, not just those using a knife. The authors grasp of strategy and the way he explains it is very easy to understand and is very realistic, although it may be a bit advanced for the beginning student. Also included in this section are the three phases of strategy.

Combat Applications:

Through the detailed use of photographs and fairly detailed sections of text, the author and his assistants take you through numerous different examples (17 to be exact) of how to use a knife and/or knives during an armed and also unarmed self-defense encounter.

Basic Principles of Knife Throwing:

As a general rule, "Never throw your knife at your opponent." This results in a lost weapon and the very real possibility that your attacker could pick it up and use it against you. However, just like every rule, there are exceptions.

Basic Knife Throwing Techniques:

In this section, 14 different throws are demonstrated and explained to you through the use of photographs and text.

This book ends with a basic but well done chart on the vital areas to target with a knife during a self-defense encounter.

This book, like the other two in the series, does an exceptional job of explaining the techniques described within through detailed written descriptions and the use of clear and concise photographs and illustrations. The only thing that I would like to have seen a lot more of in this particular manner would have been some close-up shots during various phases of certain techniques.
2349690
While browsing, I happened to find a truly unique and dynamic book entitled Lessons from the Western Warriors by Fred Neff.  The self-defense techniques included in the book are from the western world as opposed to the usual rehash of Asiain fighting arts.  As I looked through the book, I found it interesting to find reference to the ancient art of pankration that was practiced by the Greeks.  I was fascinated to discover that people in the west had their own martial arts history.  I ended up buying the book.  Once I got into reading the text, looking at the photographs and practicing the techniques, I found that they were both effective and efficient.  I think this book is simply terrific and heartily suggest that anyone with an interest in learning really effective self-defense and fighting techniques get a copy of the book.
2166828
Like Jeet Kune Do, I'll keep this review simple and direct. This DVD is  the best I have ever seen. If you study Jeet Kune Do or just interested in self defense get this DVD. If your only interested in self defense, you will want to study JKD after seeing this DVD. I suggest you try Sifu Strongs 4 DVD set. All 4 are JKD at a higher level.

 JKDpupil71
3434991
I have read Mrs. Pennell's book and i must say that I am honored to own it. I feel that this book gives women the confidence to walk the streets again, and be self-confident. Contrary to the prior review that these methods of SELF-DEFENSE are too dangerous, any martial art that can help one during a fight is worth learning, no matter what "style" it is, or where its' origin is. What martial art isn't dangerous, if one feels its too dangerous, don't fricken learn it! I would like to also comment on the skeptical remark about learning a martial art via a book. Mr. Perfetti...no one cares if these effective techniques are not taught under your system, or any system for that matter, as long as they protect ones self, and as Liz would, "Fullfilling your job of getting home safely," then it is worth reading a martial arts book. Also, by being skeptical of learning martial arts from a book, you are putting contrary belief to all the books that Bruce Lee ever written. I would highly doubt that the greatest martial artist there ever lived would write numerous books on martial arts if he knew it should be learned under a "qualified instructor," because this opinion of yours is quite incorrect. As long as one can comprehend basic idea of a technique being taught in the book, one should use this knowledge he has attained in the modern world (if absolutely needed). Saying that one should learn advanced techniques under a qualified instructor is pretty much asking to empty your wallet. If women want to stay protected, then i think this is a fantastic book to read. Also, adding a little humor to a book would not offend a battered women, a women would feel comforted that another women would teach her how to defend herself...EFFECTIVELY!
Great Job on the the book Ms. Pennell, I'm looking forward to your next one!
3638901
I can't heap enough praise on this book. Well okay, this book doesn't cure baldness and raise the dead, but it is a true work of brilliance. Professor Hand has done something amazing - he has reconstituted a dead martial art, and a martial art that unjustly died out, owing to swordsmanship no longer being a true matter of life and death anymore after the ascendance of the gun, and to an over-fascination with foreign customs and as one contemporary put it, a desire to wear light swords that do not wear out your hose (pants!) The system in question is the use of the Sword - i.e. the cut and thrust weapon that has enough weight behind it to shear a limb off. It lost out in popularity in civilian life (where it was illegal to kill people with swords anyways!) to the Italian rapier and then to the French smallsword. These lighter swords were easy to carry around and even easier to use as their techniques were limited to just the thrust and a few basic parries and simple footwork. They were of course deadly enough to be useful for self-defence, but were seen as weak for the battlefield to which real swords were brought. This Sword-using system (the capital "S" is intentional here) was put into writing by a gentleman by the name of George Silver. It is the culmination of millennia of fighting experience among the English, refined and personalized to some extent, to be sure, by Silver himself, but according to his own claims, an accurate rendering of the traditional English way of Fencing. Unlike the Italian Fence-masters who advocated for the duel, Silver rails against it, only thinking fencing a fit practical skill for serving the nation on the battlefield, or as a last-ditch self-defence. He sees the health benefits (which are probably the main things we are interested in today regarding martial arts) as particularly salient, and the practice of cutting motions and the wide variety of footwork with the traditional English sword and its system as conducive, more than perhaps anything else to good health, physical and mental. I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment. Silver's system uses natural body movements - most steps are like natural walking steps, most sword attacks as natural swings through a natural arc. You don't crouch down low in awkward positions. The system feels almost instinctive. It's actually very subtle and counter-intuitive and tricky. It's a great core workout, and a fantastic all-body wholesome exercise. Its intrinsic interest which appeals to our sense of self-preservation keeps us interested and exercising, and its training makes us very strong, healthy both at limb and in heart and lungs, and sad to say, if the need arises, there is no doubt we can pick up some kind of object to use as a weapon, and use it spectacularly well! There are even not a few grappling moves. I've been a fan of Silver's old works for years but could never really understand them 100%. Well, perhaps I thought I understood them, but I obviously was not doing so. Professor Hand brings over 20 years of professional experience teaching and fighting referring to Silver's system to bear on this book. He has connected the dots. He has done the same as what a paleontologist does with dinosaur bones. Dinosaurs were once great animals. So too Silver's fencing method was a great school of Fight. Now we can enjoy it once again! I am noticing that it is helping me get better at kendo, and at judo too, believe it or not - judo being heavily dependent on subtle footwork and kendo on both subtle footwork and subtle sword work for success. Silver intended the training with the Sword to be the root of the study of all fights, and I am finding exactly this to be true, thanks to Professor Hand! I can't wait for volume II where Prof. Hand pits Silver's system against rapiers, and supplements the sword with daggers and shields! That will definitely be interesting!
842016
I was amazingly impressed with Ultimate Fighting Champion Bas Rutten's, "Big Books Of Combat". These books are loaded with hundreds of excellent fighting and training techniques geared for the real world of combat. The mammoth volumes give a fascinating insight into how brutal yet intelligent and sophisticated the art of NHB combat really is. It will take days just to look through the hundreds of techniques Rutten has to offer. The books have helped my understanding of combat and how well rounded a fighter must be to compete in NHB competition. If you think your a tough guy and know how to fight think again after you see what Bas Rutten has to say about combat. These books are a must have addition to every martial artist fight library.
214037
This book is absolutely OUTSTANDING - well-explained and easy-to-understand text along with full color pictures illustrating the moves.

And it includes a beautifully produced, high-quality DVD that allows one to follow along as the author (a humble, experienced and well-educated Shaolin monk) demonstrates all the gentle moves that comprise the 45-minute routine.  The soundtrack music on the DVD is worth the price of the book/DVD alone - as it provides very inspiring yet soothing music that is the perfect accompaniment to the routine.

The first time I followed the entire routine on the DVD I just had to sit still for some time afterwards and enjoy the tremendous sense of inner tranquility these moves produce in both the body as well as the mind.

I wholeheartedly agree with the reviewer surprised that there aren't more reviews on this wonderful book/DVD.
2547891
I am not a stranger to the Martial Arts. Outside of Krav Maga, over the years I have trained in Taekwondo, Tai Chi Chaun, Muay Thai, and attended a Navy SEAL advanced training and Sniper training course where I was trained in hand to hand combat by Navy SEALs. I had the honor of meeting and training with David Kahn at a Krav Maga seminar he ran in Norwalk Connecticut which covered groundfighting techniques in January of 2013. The only way to describe David is that he is the real deal. The combination of his mastery of Krav Maga and his friendly and approachable demeaner make him the ideal instructor.  In this book David breaks down the world renowned weapon defenses of Krav Maga.  The book starts out with Chapter 1 reviewing the basic and most universal control holds of Krav Maga which are critical to know if you plan on surviving and armed assult.  The book then moves into:

Chapter 2) Impact weapons defenses

Chapter 3) Leg defenses against edged-weapon attacks

Chapter 4) Hand defenses against edged weapons

Chapter 5) Handgun defenses

Chapter 6) Rifle/submachine gun (SMG) defenses

Chapter 7) Kravist Weapon Defense Drills

The concepts and techniques covered in "Krav Maga Weapon Defenses" are the most up to date, reliable, learnable, and most importantly retainable techniques against armed assults out there.  This is confirmed by the book being awarded the prestigious title of Best Books Award Winner.

Israli Krav Maga is in my opinion the best tactical fighting/defense symtem around.  Born to battle anti semitism just before WWII, Krav Maga remains the official fighing system of the Israli Defense forces making the moves of Israli Krav Maga field tested and reliable!  David serves as the Israeli Krav Maga Association's Chief Instructor in the United States and teaches this system in its purest form to all that are willing to learn including the public, celebrities, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies as well as the U.S. Military. While Krav Maga cannot truely be mastered by reading a book, this instructional prose will prove to be an invaluable asset to your development in Krav Maga. It can be used as a refresher between lessons and seminars with a certified expert, or as an introduction to Israeli Krav Maga before beginning professional training.  I strongly reccommed David's other instructional books as well as his instructional videos.
4543821
The author has done all practitioners of the arts a great service by breaking down complex concepts into understandable chapters and sections. The interviews with the masters at the end are insightful and complete. I highly recommend this book to any serious martial artist that is interested in taking their knowledge to the next step. Particularly in teaching, sometimes it's not so easy to explain certain processes in the body to new students, and this book does an excellent job of that, as well it also demystifes the crouching tiger hidden dragon seekers and puts light in a dark room.
1212506
This book was exceptionally written and was full of ancient artwork and modern techniques. Mr. Arvanitis provides the reader with thorough instructions and easy-to-follow sequences of how to apply the techniques in reality combat. There are numerous submission attacks and ground skills covered. The section on clinching and takedowns was very informative and well-organized. I also purchased his newly-revised and expanded version of this book from Paladin Press. It contains additional text and photos and is an excellent rewrite. This is great reading for those into mixed martial arts and no-holds-barred fighting. Arvanitis is an innovator of this sport and has been around for a long time. He is unarguably the "man" when it comes to the Greek art of pankration. I look forward to his next book!