Author Description

It is Said that Northern Shaolin kung-fu was born when Shaolin monks combined the most effective fighting techniques from various Chinese martial arts styles into one devastating method of combat. Over the years, Northern Shaolin has proven the style of choice for some of history's greatest martial artists, including Ku Ju-chang, one of the early 20th century's famous "Five Northern Tigers," and Lai Hung, renowned as one of kung-fu's most fearsome full-contact fighters. We present here, for the first time in print, Northern Shaolin's two-person sparring form. The sparring form features a comprehensive arsenal of striking, kicking, throwing and grappling techniques -- and it reveals Northern Shaolin strategies for long-, medium- and close-range combat, as well as groundfighting. With a bewildering array of hand strikes, stomps, sweeps and leaping kicks, joint-locks and throws, this sparring form is a gold mine of practical martial arts knowledge. With step-by-step instruction, tons of photographs, and sections on the history of Northern Shaolin, basic combat drills and specific applications for the sparring form, Combat Shaolin is an extensive introduction to the Northern Shaolin style of unarmed fighting. Whether you are a beginner just starting out on your martial arts journey, or an experienced practitioner looking to add to your set of skills, Combat Shaolin will prove a valuable addition to your bookshelf. Book jacket.