What exactly is kung-fu?
Where did it originate?
Why was it kept secret for more than 3000 years?
Who were the legendary masters of the art?
When did it come to the Western world?
How can you go about learning kung-fu?

In this beatuifully illustrated and comprehensive book, all your questions on China's deadly martial art have been answered. Step by step, The Beginners Guide to Kung-Fu takes the casually interested reader and the potential novice alike through the facscinating maze of Chinese boxing. Here, at last, the secrets of this incredible art are revealed.

Kung-fu's 5000 year old history dating back to the earlisest dynasties of feudal China.
The myths and traditions of legendary masters, handed down orally from generation to generation.
The Buddhist philosophers and fighting monks who forged kung-fu into a world renowned system of unarmed combat.
Thi internal and external, soft and hard forms of the art.
The power of ch'i, the latent inner energy which permits kung-fu masters to perform seemingly impossible feats of srength and will.
The basic stances, exercises and 'belly breathing' techniques which could alter your whole concept of keeping fit.
The elementary blocks,kicks, jumps and strikes of kung-fu.
The ancient ten commandments of the art.
How kung-fu could help you deal with mugging attacks.

Cover painting by Paul Simons

Contents

Warning
What is kung-fu?
History and origins of kung-fu
Tan tien breathing
Ch'i-The internal power
Yin & yang/soft & hard schools
The ten commandments of kung-fu
Stage 1 Stances
Stage 2 Exercises
Stage 3 Blocks & evasions
Stage 4 Strikes
Stage 5 Kicks
Stage 6 Defence & counter attacks
Stage 7 Mugging defences