The Essence of Shaolin White Crane: Martial Power and Qigong

by Yang Jwing-Ming, James O'Leary (Editor)

The secrets of internal power are revealed in this expert guide to Internal and External martial Qigong. This comprehensive martial arts training guide explores White Crane Kung Fu (Gongfu), one of the most famous martial styles developed in China. Martial Arts Qigong is integral to White Crane kung Fu and is a proven way to build explosive fighting power, known as Jin. In addition to fighting power, martial Qigong builds robust health and longevity. By focusing on the spine and torso, Shaolin White Crane develops and maintains a strong, supple upper body. Flexibility and strength of the spine are notable results of this training. It is commonly recognized that Shaolin White Crane is the root of Okinawan Karate, and has heavily influenced Japanese martial arts. From this book, a Karate practitioner will be able to trace this root back, and gain profound comprehension of empty-hand styles.

Genres: Martial Arts, Health

352 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 1996

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book more than ten years ago and I reread it. This is my third book by Dr. Yang Jwing-ming and I enjoy his books. His books go further than a martial arts book because of the scholarly work put into them. I always feel like a student when I read and I always learn something. Mostly I like how his books are written for anyone wanting to learn more about martial arts: the academic knowledge poured into these books is of the highest quality yet the language is clear.

Here Dr. Yang starts off with a General Concepts chapter that gives an in-depth history of Chinese martial arts, Qigong, and the history of the White Crane system. The following chapters give a great overview of White Crane Qigong, the hard qigong (Crane Strength Gong), the soft gong (Flying Crane Gong), and White Crane Jin (trembling jin, shaking jin). The exercises and picture examples in the book are great as they demonstrate hand movements, footwork, and the exercises laid out in the book. An interesting part of the book discusses manifestation of Jin. The exercises show the torso, waist, and chest movements to help with the concept of Shaking Jin.

Just for clarification, this book is about Shaolin White Crane and qigong that comes from the style. This book gives the fundamentals and foundations for White Crane Kung Fu. I thought this work was superb and Dr. Yang Jwing-ming did a phenomenal job with this book. I would recommend this to anyone interested in a lesser known Chinese martial arts system. Thanks!

[Ricardo Guerreiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A training book that you can read almost as a story book (on the first couple of chapters anyway)! Great insight into the author's traditional martial arts training background as he tells us some daily-life stories of his White Crane Master, back in Taiwan. Life inspiring accounts that make this book, together with theoretical and practical teachings on hard and soft Qigong, a must read for martial artists, qigong practitioners or just anyone curious enough to delve into a subject even without pragmatic expectations on it.

[Sebastian Ewak · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extensive description of White Crane Qigong

The book gives an extensive overview of Qigong and offers exercises and sets for practice. It also covers possible dangers of some of the Qigong exercises, which are not often discussed.

[Dan]

2009-07-15 -- The guy has a background in physics and engineering, and I want to hear him explain Qi.

[Timjago]

Very useful companion to the dvd