Praying mantis boxing methods mimic the shape and function of strong forelegs of a praying mantis. There are very rapid steps that are light in transition but heavy in ending. There are both soft and hard hand methods. We neutralize the opponent with steps and counter attack at the same time. One move is rapidly changed into another move. Both hands and legs are very busy or fast in changing. This book introduced the basic stepping and body methods that make our hand and leg moves work. This book is essential for anyone interested in this style of Chinese martial arts.

There are many ways of wrestling and throwing in Chinese martial arts. After review of many throws that were used successfully by many in San Shou and Kuo Shu Lei Tai matches, I selected 12 most common ways of throws. How to enter, how to position and how to execute these throws are explained in detail. Illustration with dummies and staff are also included for each move. This book is a good introduction for a beginner. It is also a good review for advance practitioners. It is written from a practitioner for a practitioner. All the key points are there and ready to be applied into your practice.

There are many versions of Yang Tai Chi forms. However, most of them are with expansive moves. There are also large and deep postures from Wu Shu routines. They may not be good for knees. I therefore started to make the moves smaller and tighter when I first learned them in 1980s. We may still gain health benefits from practicing these smaller moves. I preserved the original names for each posture. There are detailed descriptions about how to do the moves correctly. Each posture is also illustrated with several images including transitional moves. I have exchanged ideas and notes extensively with students from Yang Cheng Fu lineage. The moves in this book are much closer to original Yang Cheng Fu routines.

Originally there were only 3 old palms. Over several generations of practitioners, 8 palm methods were compiled. From these 8 palm methods, 64 palm methods were derived. Thus we call the original 8 palm methods "old 8 palms" or "8 large palms." These palm methods are the foundation of Ba Gua Zhang fighting methods. Due to diversified schools and lineages, there are many variations of the 8 palm methods. In this book, the 8 palm methods from Cheng Ting Hua style are introduced. For anyone that is interested in Ba Gua Zhang fighting methods, the contents of this book are essential to know. The 8 palm methods may derive into more fighting methods. They are like the 8 diagrams in the book of change or Yi Jing. Thus they gained the name of Ba Gua Zhang(Eight Diagrams Palm).

Ba Ji or Eight Extreme Fist is known to be straightforward and powerful. It is widely practiced in Meng Village, Cang Zhou County, He Bei, northern China. In the previous book, "Ba Zi Jie Xie: A Talk on Rake Fist," the basic 7 hand methods were discussed. They are Cloud (Yun), Pull (Luo), Rise (Ti), Press (An), Hook (Diao), Enclose (Bao) and Entanglement (Chan). In addition, there is the 8th hand method called Stick (Zhan). From the 8 basic hand methods, we may further develop and characterize 24 hand methods. In current book, the 24 hand methods will be introduced. They are represented by 24 single Chinese characters. Each hand method may be coupled to one or 2 other hand methods. These hand methods are interchangeable among themselves. It is a good book for people that are interested in the style. The analysis of fighting methods is universal among all styles. Thus, it is also a good book for people that practice other styles.

Ba Ji boxing methods were used by the special service units both in Taiwan and China. The key tactics and strategy are by getting close to the opponent first. There are 6 ways of opening the door or gaining access to the vital area of an opponent. They are Ding (push), Bao (enclose), Ti (rise), Dan (single), Kua (hip) and Chan (entanglement). In the previous book "Ba Zi Jie Xi: A Talk on Rake Fist," the hand methods are briefly discussed. In the current book, the small frame routine is introduced. In the beginning of the 20th century, there were only 16 postures in the routine. Wu Xiu Feng added some more postures to make the routine into 24 postures. Later, Wu compiled 12 versions/routines of the small frame. Xiao Jia or small frame consists of foundational structures for Ba Ji fighting methods. All postures may be practiced as standing in posture or breathing exercise. The moves also carry symbolism for the nature. We start with Wu Ji stance. We then open Tai Ji by assuming Liang Yi stance. And then we have 4 directions or Si Xiang by assuming the Lion Opening its Mouth and Cross Fist postures. When we reverse the side of our fist or palm, we have Ba Gua. The 6 ways of opening the door are also represented by the postures in the routine. In short, people may practice this set of moves for health and fitness, in addition to original martial applications. The original name for each posture is used. Each posture may consist of several moves. All the moves are illustrated with pictures. There are many variations of this routine. Only the common ones are examined in this book. This book provides the reader a valid and universal base to study and practice.

Ba Zi (Rake) or Ba Ji (Eight Extremes) Quan (fist) is known to be straightforward and powerful. However, not a lot of books were written about the style. In author's previous book, the technical fighting methods (Ji Fa) were discussed. There are Ding (Push), Bao (Enclose), Ti (Rise), Dang (Single strike), Kua (Hip) and Chan (Entanglement). The eight methods of hand techniques (Shou Fa) (Recitation or Kou Jue) were mentioned. They are Yi Cun (Inch), Er Guo (Wrap), San Ti (Rise), Si Kua (Hip), Wu Chuo (Stab), Liu Luo (Grab and pull), Qi Yin (Hardness) and Ba Shuai (Throw). In this book, the basic forms (Xing) and stances (Bu) are explained. The methods (Fa) of using the hand (Shou), wrist (Wan), elbow (Zhou), hip (Kua), knee (Xi) and foot (Jiao) are illustrated with some examples. Some of the classical moves of the style are explained and illustrated with over 60 images. The concept of a posture (Shi) or a sequence of moves is also explained. For people that is new to the style. This book will be a good introduction book to start. For people that are learning or practicing the style for some time, this book is a good source for review and note taking. It is recommended that the reader also consult the previous book on the style. "The Treasure Book of Chinese Martial Arts Vol. I" Ba Ji means the attacks coming from the 4 fronts and 4 corners or all directions. There are attacks from the high, mid and low levels or San Pan Lian Ji. This book is a good guide to appreciate why and how to do attacks from 3 levels and all directions. And of course, how to defend against these moves are also explained. Have fun in study and practice with the teacher.

Tai Ji Quan or Tai Chi Chuan is practiced by many people for health and fitness. However, imbedded with the moves, there are also self defense principles and applications. Most people may be practicing the moves and acquiring some skills that they never know anything about. The fundamental principles and applications of Tai Ji Quan are explained in an easy and fun to read format in this book. Whether you are interested in knowing how and why you have to do the move in a certain way, or you are interested in knowing how to practice and apply the defense skills you may already have, this book is a good guide to start. The 13 postures (Shi) are Peng. Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao (8 Jin methods); Jin, Tui, Gu, Pan, and Zhong Ding (5 steps, Wu Bu) are explained with techniques. How to use 13 Shi to study Tai Ji Quan are illustrated with techniques. How to contact, stick (Zhan Nian) and neutralize the opponent

The most frequent questions I was asked of Ba Gua Zhang are that how many styles there are and what characterizes the differences. I laughed and sighed. I laughed because I am happy that people are interested. I sighed because it will be a long answer. The answers are in this book. The students of Dong Hai Chuan made the styles different by incorporating different styles into the system. There were Luo Han Shou, Tan Tui, Shuai Jiao, Xing Yi etc. However, all styles share the common theme of change and fluidity. I started my martial arts training with Tan Tui and Shuai Jiao. I also studied some northern styles: Mantis, Ba Ji, Tong Bei etc before I studied Ba Gua Zhang. It was quite a rewarding learning experience, since I knew the other styles first. However, I was told to study Cheng Ting Hua style since this is more close to original Dong style without influences of other styles except Shuai Jiao. Whether you are interested in what Ba Gua Zhang is about or what styles there are, this is an essential book to read. The contents are written in a note format for easy reference. Every move is illustrated with a picture. At least one application for each move is discussed. Further discussions are in the Synopsis. Definitions of palm forms are in the Palm Terms. The basic 5 stances, 8 basic palm methods, and 8 single Palm Change sets from 8 styles are discussed and illustrated. This book will help you greatly at all levels of study and practice in Ba Gua Zhang.