KUNG FU TAI CHI APRIL-MAY 1996
Kung Fu is far more than just a fighting technique—it is a lifelong discipline that nurtures both the body and the mind. Rooted in centuries of wisdom, traditional Kung Fu emphasizes balance, breathing, strength, and flow. Each movement is designed not only for defense or performance, but also for developing core strength, joint mobility, and overall physical health. Practicing Kung Fu regularly helps improve posture, flexibility, and coordination. It strengthens the cardiovascular system and enhances muscle tone, while the controlled breathing techniques can lower stress levels and promote better mental focus. For older adults, Kung Fu provides a low-impact yet highly effective way to stay active, improve balance, and reduce the risk of injury. Beyond the physical benefits, Kung Fu teaches discipline, patience, and inner calm. Whether you're young or old, a beginner or an experienced martial artist, Kung Fu can be a powerful tool to improve your quality of life—one mindful movement at a time.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Story
Master Pan's Champions
How the revered master Pan Qing Fu turned children from the Chinese countryside into international competitors
Features:
The Eight Deadly Strikes of 7-Star Praying Mantis
Among many olders-generation Chinese, it is believed that masters such as these could kill will one blow, known as dim mak, the "death touch." Many comtemporary martial artists, however, do not know that 7-Star Praying Mantis contains the methods of dim mak within its advanced curriculum
Lessons on Cutting Edge
Every ancient weapon is an extension of one or more ideas coming from the ingenuity or jiao of the human mind and spirit. Each weapon's origin is an extension of some human aspect completely separate from the weapon itself, something intrinsic and natural
Key Points in Liu Ho Pa Fa
A subtle yet crucial aspect of training in the internal martial arts is the neccessity on the part of the student to trasp the experience of the old masters. How and why did they come up with the procedures that they did?
The Chin-Na of Shuai Chiao
The ancient martial art of Shuai-Chiao incorporated many techniques such as punches, kicks, vital strikes, joint locking, and even squeezing and ground grappling. As time advanced, Shuai-chiao evolved into a safer sport, with many dangerous techniques such as vital strikes, joint-control and breaking prohibited
Drafting a Kungfu Constitution
Taiji quan is a major style, the best known and most popular in the realm of traditional Chinese martial arts. The reasons behind its great success are certainly no mystery,. Practitioners throughout the world use it daily as a potent supplement for improved health, fitness, and relief from stress
Shaolin's Fighting Monks
The history of the Shaolin Temples (north and south) and their fighting monks has been a long, exciting, honored tradition, full of political intrique. Through the ages, the Shaolin Temples have been built, burned down, and rebuilt many times. Even so, through all its tribulations, it has never ceased to be a training ground and holy place for the monks
Qigong:
Ancient Medicine: Modern Danger?
Modern Chinese still seek out practitioners of ancient medicine techniques. What were the key concepts of these centuries-old medicine methods, and just as important, should they be practiced today, or discarded as remnant of the past?
Anabolic Chi-Kung
How chi exercises produce natural chemicals that promote muscular growth, recovery, immunity, and even bone growth
Five Elements Qigong, Part(II)-Wood-Liver Qigong
Mi Zong Zhou Yi Wu Shing Ling Gan Gong-or-Chinese Medicine Yi Ching Five Elements Qigong-combines mudras (hand gestures),mantras, and special images to increase the body's energy and improve overall health
Tiger's Tale