China Books

The Shaolin Monastery charts, for the first time in any language, the history of the Shaolin Temple and the evolution of its world-renowned martial arts. In this meticulously researched and eminently readable study, Meir Shahar considers the economic, political, and religious factors that led Shaolin monks to disregard the Buddhist prohibition against violence and instead create fighting techniques that by the twenty-first century have spread throughout the world. He reveals the intimate connection between monastic violence and the veneration of the violent divinities of Buddhism and analyzes the Shaolin association of martial discipline and the search for spiritual enlightenment. ?Written in clear and lucid style and ambitious both in scope and methodology, this book offers a fascinating window into Chinese culture, religion, and history. Ranging from historical and ethnographic documents to a wide variety of literary sources, it weaves them all into a compelling narrative. In this fashion, Shahar is uniquely able to bring together social, historical, and mythological elements, providing a demythologized account of martial Chinese traditions such as Shaolin Boxing. This is sinology at its best.??Bernard Faure, Columbia University (For this item please quote stock ID 29036) ISBN: 9780824831103

The special medical Qigong described in this book was developed and perfected by Taoists, traditional Chinese Medicine doctors and Qigong experts over 1700 years to meet the needs of a woman's unique anatomy. Author Tina Zhang leads readers through a variety of pleasurable postures. (For this item please quote stock ID 29564) ISBN: 9781583941959

The Shaolin Monastery charts, for the first time in any language, the history of the Shaolin Temple and the evolution of its world-renowned martial arts. In this meticulously researched and eminently readable study, Meir Shahar considers the economic, political, and religious factors that led Shaolin monks to disregard the Buddhist prohibition against violence and instead create fighting techniques that by the twenty-first century have spread throughout the world. He reveals the intimate connection between monastic violence and the veneration of the violent divinities of Buddhism and analyzes the Shaolin association of martial discipline and the search for spiritual enlightenment. ?Written in clear and lucid style and ambitious both in scope and methodology, this book offers a fascinating window into Chinese culture, religion, and history. Ranging from historical and ethnographic documents to a wide variety of literary sources, it weaves them all into a compelling narrative. In this fashion, Shahar is uniquely able to bring together social, historical, and mythological elements, providing a demythologized account of martial Chinese traditions such as Shaolin Boxing. This is sinology at its best.??Bernard Faure, Columbia University (For this item please quote stock ID 31177) ISBN: 9780824833497

Authentic qi gong as practiced in the Shaolin Temple where this discipline originated centuries ago. > Reveals the fundamental spiritual principles and includes both a short and long form of the daily exercises > Explains the benefits of mastering energy in the body, such as organ strengthening > Includes a 53 minute DVD of exercises performed by the author, a Shaolin monk The great teacher Bodhidharma is credited with the creation of Shaolin Temple qi gong and kung fu in the 6th century CE. Motivated by the terrible physical condition of the monks who spent all their time meditating or copying scrolls, his two-part system promoted physical as well as spiritual fitness and became the basis for all the martial and meditative art taught in the Shaolin Temple. These ancient practices increase physical health and vitality, enhance creativity and can be practiced well into old age. Author Shi Xinggui, a Shaolin monk, explains the fundamental principle of qi gong - the art of mastering energy (qi) and moving it through the body - and provides clear demonstrations of all the positions and movements. In order to develop qi attentively, it is necessary to cultivate the art of slowness in both movement and breathwork. She Xinggui provides both a short and a long form of the daily exercises, with lessons on heart centring, organ strengthening and balancing the energy using the three dantians, the three energy centres of the body. A 53-minute DVD of the exercises performed by the author is also included. (For this item please quote stock ID 30327) ISBN: 9781594772641

Qi Means energy. It is the life-force - the force of life. Without it, we don't exist. Gong means exercise. Qi Gong is energy exercise. It is energy medicine. The purpose of Qi Gong is to cultivate the energy. It increases health and well-being. It can help you recover from illness, prevent disease, strengthen the body, extend youthfulness and prolong life. There are a few rules you need to follow for these exercises. Don't do them 20 minutes before or after meals. Do them only in a safe place and don't attempt them when you are angry or upset. And if you have a serious heart problem, schizophrenia or late-onset cancer - don't do them at all. It's Best to practice twice in the morning, twice in the evening but no more than four times a day.

About the Author
Angela Tian Zhe Zhu was born and raised in Beijing. Her grandfather and father and mother were doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and ran a school of TCM doctors and private clinics in Beijing. TCM practitioners treat people through the exercises of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and by massage, acupuncture and herbal medicines.

Angela studied TCM at the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and formally qualified in China as a doctor of TCM in 1980, by passing examinations set by the Bureau of Public Health in Dong Cheng District, Beijing. She has practiced TCM in China, Sweden, Croatia and Bosnia before settling in Australia

(For this item please quote stock ID 32323)

the bookstarts by explaining the idea of Shaolin quan. Then it illustrates its origin and evolution, briefly introduces its major schools, movement routines and weapons, and explicitly explains the relationships between Shaolin quan and Zen. By practicing this simple set, people can experience the history and strenght of Shaolin quan

(For this item please quote stock ID 32720) ISBN: 9787119054612

The book gives a brief introduction to Tai Ji Quan, illustrates its evolution, introduces its major schools and the benefit to its practitioners, and elaborates the Taiji culture. By studying the simplified movement routines of Tai Ji Quan, the practitioners can experience the subtle but wonderful changes residing in this martial art.

(For this item please quote stock ID 32721) ISBN: 9787119054629

This book traces the origin and the evolution of wushu, introduces its various schools and movement routines, and elaborates on the wushu culture. Its practitioners can build a basic wushu foundation by learning the simplified Five-stance quan

(For this item please quote stock ID 32722) ISBN: 9787119054643

This book introduces the basic concept and key words of Qigong, and explains its movement routines, meditation styles, and the ways of breathing. By learning Baduanjin - The Eight-Section Exercises, practitioners can adjust their body movements to the rhythm of breathing. The book also provides tips for Qigong practitioners.

(For this item please quote stock ID 32719) ISBN: 9787119054636

[Japan] An intelligence analyst is murdered on temple grounds.

[Manila] Two embassy guards go missing and a bizarre execution video is discovered by a special-forces team.

[New York] Martial arts expert Connor Burke is hired as a consultant for an elite US Army training program.

[Mindanao Philippines] A young Japanese ethnographer from Harvard University is kidnapped by a terrorist cell of Abu Sayeff.

A renegade martial arts Sensei known as the Tengu has been recruited to train a splinter group of Asian terrorists with links to Al Qaeda. The Tengu mourns the vanished prestige and cultural heritage of Imperial Japan. He, like the men he trains, believes the West is responsible for destroying the spiritual essence of a once-great culture.

In a series of violent clashes spawned by the bizarre intersection of contemporary fundamentalist terrorist ideology and the personal vendettas of the Tengu, Connor Burke and his martial arts teacher Yamashita are pawns in a game that will ensnare them while they search for the most deadly of foes: the Tengu.

About the Author John Donohue, PH.D., is a notionally prominent writer and martial arts scholar, an associate editor for the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, and a member of the advisory board for the National Association of Professional Martial Artists. He holds black belt ranks in both karate and kendo. John Donohue resides near New Haven, Connecticut (For this item please quote stock ID 30857) ISBN: 9781594391231

This guide details muscles used during common martial arts moves and how to more effectively prevent injury and gain strength, featuring more than 100 comprehensive illustrations. The perfect training supplement for martial artists, this book's detailed anatomical drawings show exactly what is happening inside the body while it's performing a physical movement. The detailed illustrations in "The Anatomy of Martial Arts" highlight how specific muscles stretch and contract to create powerful kicks, throws, strikes, blocks, and holds. Designed for those practicing any martial art - including judo, karate, kung fu, tae kwon do, capoeira, jujitsu, muay thai, and hapkido - the book explains the training needs and universal techniques used to strengthen muscle, prevent injury, and improve form and control during each move. It also captions each illustration with the technical terms for every muscle, giving martial artists an in-depth understanding of the inner workings of their body in motion. More than just an anatomy book, each section is accompanied by a series of helpful strength training and stretching exercises to improve the function of vital and vulnerable muscles. (For this item please quote stock ID 34122) ISBN: 9781569757871

Chi Kung is the best kept secret on the planet. It is a powerful way of becoming fit, healthy and balanced through opening and mobilising the body and joints, breathing techniques, slow movement exercises, standing postures, special walking methods and meditation. It can be done anywhere, any time in whatever you are wearing. With consistent practice you can transform your health to a high level of vitality. Ged Sumner writes with rich insights into how to begin to think about your body and how to take the steps that will enable you transform your practice. Completely accessible to those new to the field, the book will also be transformative for more experienced practitioners, providing many new ways of looking at 'old' elements of Chi Kung practice, and exploring the essential parts of the body most affected by Chi Kung. This modern, accessible approach to Chi Kung by a highly experienced teacher integrates mind and body and shows you how to become sensitive to yourself. A free website shows video footage of the forms in the book for easy reference.

About the Author
Ged Sumner is a practising craniosacral therapist and Chi Kung teacher. He has also studied shiatsu, healing and attachment based psychoanalytical psychotherapy. He is Director of the College of Elemental Chi Kung offering Chi Kung classes, workshops, retreats and a Chi Kung Teacher Training program in Europe, N.America and Australia (www.elementalchikung.com). He also teaches Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy as a senior tutor and course director. He is a director of the Healthy Living Centre (www.thehealthylivingcentre.co.uk), a multi-disciplinary alternative therapy practice in London. He is the author of Body Intelligence - creating a new environment (www.bodyintelligence.com). He also teaches biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy as a senior tutor and course director and is a Director of the Healthy Living Centre, a multi-disciplinary alternative therapy practice in London. He currently lives in Australia with his partner and has three children.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31984) ISBN: 9781848190146

Many people will suffer from depression at some time in their lives. New research shows that Qigong, a traditional Chinese practice, can be an effective treatment for depression and can provide a good alternative or supplement to medication in some cases. Frances Gaik explains the basics of what Qigong is and why it is effective for depression, and shows the reader how to make use of Qigong to rise from the darkness of depression and regain strength and motivation in life. Based on the same principles as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qigong works by promoting the movement of health-giving energy along the meridians of the body.

(For this item please quote stock ID 31454) ISBN: 9781848190184

This book is about the experiences of Grandmaster William Cheung, from the time he grew up in Hong Kong with Bruce Lee and their Training in Wing Chun Kung Fu. Additionally, the book covers the history and development of Wing Chun and its philosophy, a comparison of Modified and Traditional Wing Chun, blindfolded Chi Sao and Wing Chun Bart Jarm Dao & Look Dim Boon Grun (Butterfly Swords and Dragon Pole). It deals with Internal Energy and Meridian Stretching, the "Death Touch", and includes a selection of letters written by Bruce Lee to Cheung. The book also contains the Wing Chun grading structure and the PRO-TEKT Handbook for personal protection. Last but not least, the secrets of William Cheung'ssports injury treatments using internal energy are revealed.
About the Author
William Cheuk Hing Cheung was born in 1940. He trained Wing Chun from 1951 to 1958 with Grandmaster Yip Man in Hong Kong. For three of those years he was a live-in student with Yip Man, and was chosen to be the sole inheritor of Traditional Wing Chun and the secret of internal energy. Cheung was the person responsible for introducing Bruce Lee to Wing Chun Kung Fu, and helped him develop most of his skills that he later used in his films. During his 26 years of teaching Wing Chun, Cheung was inducted by Black Belt, Inside Kung Fu and Blitz magazines into their Halls of Fame, several times. He is the author of numerous books and video tapes. William Cheung has expanded his teaching to include internal energy and meridian therapy for sports injuries as well as for good health. Using this program, Cheung conducts seminars on Stress Management and Wing Chun, as well as treating and helping patients with illnesses worldwide. (For this item please quote stock ID 30952)

The guide to engaging and directing the three primordial forces of Earth, Heaven, and Higher Self to achieve enlightenment and immortality Features: > Explains how to circulate the life force, or chi, by balancing yang (male) and yin (female) currents of bioenergy > Includes an overview of the complete Taoist body/mind/spirit system along with newly refined methods of activating the life force > The sequel to the classic Awaken Healing Energy Through the Tao In 1983, Mantak Chia introduced the “Microcosmic Orbit” to the West. Prior to that time, most of the Eastern energy practices transmitted to the West were incomplete, dealing only with the ascending yang/masculine channel, which shoots life-force energy up the spine. The Microcosmic Orbit showed practitioners how to establish the descending yin/feminine channel of the life-force energy loop. Within Taoist systems, cultivating feminine energy has always been seen as the key to gaining balance and wholeness. Healing Light of the Tao presents the more advanced methods of chi cultivation in the Microcosmic Orbit, offering a full understanding of Taoist spiritual theory through its comprehensive overview of the complete Taoist body/mind/spirit system. The book also includes more advanced meditation methods for absorbing the higher frequencies of Earth Force, Cosmic Force, and Universal Force (Heavenly chi) into the basic orbit. It establishes a spiritual science that not only emphasizes practical benefits to health, sexual vitality, and emotional balance, but also shows how changes made in the energy body can lead to physical rejuvenation that the Taoists called immortality. (For this item please quote stock ID 29364) ISBN: 9781594771132

Fabulous Abs is a Qi Gong exercise in energy work that concentrates on the Dan Tian and the spine. It is designed to make your abs firmer, slimmer, stronger and also to help straighten you posture. The purpose of the exercises is to keep your whole body strong and flexible. And there are two essential things to remember. To use the Dan Tian energy. Dan Tian in under the navel, inside of the tummy. And to lift the pelvic floor and straighten the spine. I suggest you do these exercises every day. That means discipline. And its important to visualise the Dan Tian and the spine. This Fabulous Abs routine will help you slim, will straighten your posture and will give you abundant energy

About the Author
Angela Tian Zhe Zhu was born and raised in Beijing. Her grandfather and father and mother were doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and ran a school of TCM doctors and private clinics in Beijing. TCM practitioners treat people through the exercises of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and by massage, acupuncture and herbal medicines.

Angela studied TCM at the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and formally qualified in China as a doctor of TCM in 1980, by passing examinations set by the Bureau of Public Health in Dong Cheng District, Beijing. She has practiced TCM in China, Sweden, Croatia and Bosnia before settling in Australia

(For this item please quote stock ID 32324)

Tai Chi is concerned with what we call Yin Yang. Yin and Yang are cosidered to be the two forces that created the universe. They are said to be both in opposition and unison. Yin Yang has four aspects. The first is opposition - the two forces oppose each other. The second is interdependence - neither can exist without the other. Third is ebb and flow - as one rises, the other subsides. The fourth is transferability - one force can become the other. The purpose of Tai Chi is to balance the Yin Yang in both body and mind. So how do we relate Ying Yang to the body? Yin is the body. Yang is the function of the body. So as well as improving the health of the body, its flexibility, strength and well being, Tai Chi promotes peace of mind and inner wisdom. Before you start these exercises, there are things you need to know. Tai Chi should be practiced slowly, gently, peacefully and with an empty mind. So only as much as you can, trying to stay relaced in mind and body. Running through all eighteen exercises are three basic principles: the first is to sue Dan Tian energy. Dan Tian is under the navel, inside of the tummy. The second is to play the ball. The third is stretching the spine as you breathe in and sinking as you breathe out. I very much hope you try these exercises every day. This means discipline. And - very important - practice with an empty mind. Tai Chi is as much an inner practice as an outer. It will help you feel younger, look younger and much more. I hope the wisdom and beauty it brings will become a part of you

About the Author
Angela Tian Zhe Zhu was born and raised in Beijing. Her grandfather and father and mother were doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and ran a school of TCM doctors and private clinics in Beijing. TCM practitioners treat people through the exercises of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, and by massage, acupuncture and herbal medicines.

Angela studied TCM at the Beijing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and formally qualified in China as a doctor of TCM in 1980, by passing examinations set by the Bureau of Public Health in Dong Cheng District, Beijing. She has practiced TCM in China, Sweden, Croatia and Bosnia before settling in Australia

(For this item please quote stock ID 32325)