The Essence of Shaolin White Crane: Martial Power and Qigong

I love to just look at this book, it is amazing to look at and well laid out with a ton of helpful photographs and excellent descriptions to compliment them.Unfortunately for me, I was expecting the book to be something else. From the title, I expected more on the influence of White Crane on karate, which is the art that I practice. There isn't much of this, and the historical information on White Crane itself is a little sketchy. Also, I was expecting more of the forms for comparison versus karate kata, but this was not included in any detail.This does not negatively impact the book. While the book wasn't what I expected, it was something that was extremely well done and useful to me.The descriptions of the flow of energy and where the energy is generated and how it passes various joins and limbs is excellent. Never have I seen such detail describing movement and stances as well as execution. I can't say enough about Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming's writing style and inclusion of well organized detail.All of his scientific speculation is well backed up with many references, not only to martial arts magazines and books, but to scientific papers and reports. The thoroughness of the list of references astonishes me every time I look it over.This isn't the kind of book that you can just glance over and absorb, it is the kind of book that you need to dedicate a lot of time to in order to understand. Good luck and have fun, I know that I have.

The book is a definitive reference for white crane kung fu students, at an intermediate or advanced levels.While I do not study Yang Ming's white crane style (I do flying white crane), the explanations are long, detailed, and extensive to understand his teachings. The photos demonstrating qigong exercices are also very helpful. I didn't really get qigong previously, but having tried the basic exercices in the middle of the book, I can't wait to try out the advanced ones.It's definetely one of the best kung-fu book i've had so far, one I'll read and re-read for the upcoming months. I just bought other books by Dr Yang (Analysis of Shaolin Chin Na + QiGong the secret of Youth), and they are top quality too.Also, I don't think you could be a master in qigong without previous kung fu practice just with this book. I know there are the DVDs, but studying with a more experience teacher or sifu would make more sense.

Dr Yang explained the basics of qigong and it helps me in understanding what my master taught me though I'm not a white crane practitioner. The routines inside is not like what I expected but it is easy to follow. It is a good book if you are in the process of learning kungfu which share a root with White Crane such as Wing Chun and Ngo Cho Kun. But the most important thing is find a good teacher and learn from him, this book does not and can not replace a teacher.

Being a marital artist myself for over thirty years I say this book has been most fulfilling after becoming bogged down in the working society and not having time to work out, I was greatly discouraged at the rate my knee joints developed arthritis like pain. Before reading the book I forced myself to work leg work to see what would happen and in a few short months I was walking without a limp. After reading the book I can see that in a few short years continuing down this route would soon result in painful joints again. Not only has this book pointed to a more complete and sensible direction for my martial arts, but also a way that has already improved the quality of my life.

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.

Very good quality but delivery took extra long got lost but Amazon did me right and sent replacement right away

Enjoying this book. I like how they break down the Information to a science. Good book to keep.

As always. Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming has, and shares, a phenomenal amount of knowledge. I am a student of the White Crane system and value his insights and expertise. Easily worth this small price.

An intetresting source of information for anyone studying any Martial Art - one of possibly the same source - origins of Tai CHi and other Chinese Martial Arts ---- Kung Fu , Chen, Yang, Li, Sun ------- Tai Chi etc.

This book is one of the most interesting, informative books I have ever read on the subject of White Crane. It is humorous in places, and also educational with plenty of Chinese philosophy and fighting moves. It gives a good background on the ancient and graceful art of White Crane.

.. if you are interested in understanding hard and soft power, and how to generate it. While it focuses on White Crane - it applies to any martial art.

I would give 5/5 for the introduction and all historical details about taichi. The author has desperately tried to link modern science and the concept of Chi. Some explanations are very much repeated and similarly about Jin. The graphic explanations are ok, but may be difficult to execute without a trained teacher's advice , which is not replaceable by a book. on the whole its ok to good to get a Good over view of Tai chi beginnings

Ich hab mir das Buch eigentlich gekauft, weil ich die technischen Ursprünge des Wing Tsun erkunden wollte, aber nach und nach wurde mir klar was mir selber immer fehlte - das Innere.Besonders die Qi Gong Erklärungen sind simpel und einfach strukturiert. Hier wird wirklich mal unterrichtet. Andere schreiben immer nur um den heißen Brei herum ohne wirklich was zu erklären.Nach und nach wird einem klar gemacht was Energie eigentlich ist und welche verschiedenen Formen es gibt.Wer dann noch die gegebenen Metaphern versteht, der lernt richtig was! Man muß die Doppeldeutigkeiten erkennen!