Shaolin Longfist Kung Fu Basic Sequences

I started researching kung fu not because of the action movies but because of it's spiritual origins, since it was a Budhist monk who first taught the martial arts to the Shaoling monks who then compiled other forms and styles into a structured system. I was reading a lot about Krishnamurty (The Awakening of intelligence) and The Upanishads which are ancient Indian teachings that preceed Budhism, and I found it interesting how all these ideas have so much in common between themselves and with modern physics (quantum mechanics), and share a basic concept that we are part of the material world (atoms, quarks, strings) and in turn, the universe (a theory of everything see The Elegant Universe by Brian Green). This were we get the often joked about phrase"being one with the universe", and all it means is that through meditation or clearing one's mind from the mundane constant thoughts one can achieve a higher state of consciousness were a new awareness of us, and the world develops. This training video is excellent because Dr.Yang first explains the history and origins of kung fu, and then shows the sequences of movements at regular speed, slow speed, and also the actual combat aplications of each one. You get the complete package and, unlike attending a kung fu class where you have to strain to near exhaustion due to overly hard, warming excercices before getting to learning the actual movements, with this training dvd you can go at your own pace, alone or with a partner, and just go back as many time you need to see the movement again. I'm out of shape due years of office work, and when I tried joining a kung fu school, I just new it wasn't for me at least not until I could get into better shape, because I had no energy left after the usual warm up drill. Now I'm learning the movements using this dvd, and at my own pace, while I hit the track in the afternoon. There's no better kung fu training dvd out there, I should know, I've scoured the internet, and local martial arts stores everywhere. I will getting the white crane kung fu traing dvd also from Dr. Yang which enfasizes more hand movements with the Shaoling southern style.

The DVD is wonderful with a few exceptions. During the learning sections of the routines, there is not enough detail on proper form when doing movements. Especially the first 2 routines. I'm fortunate enough to have a DVD player that allows me to play everything in 2-3 different speeds of slow motion so i can attempt to see detail stuff, but that takes working the remote as much as the form if not more.The forms are broken down into sections which is very good, however for individuals to truly learn them properly it's important that their posture, hands, fist, stances, movements (circular or angular)be addressed with some level of detail. There's nothing explained about what you're doing, i.e when using mantis hand, single whip,etc... I only make this comment because the DVD is marketed to actually teach or train you in developing the forms/routines.Gong Li was one of 2 forms that I learned over 15-20 years ago and forgot because I stop practicing after about 9 months. With a rekindled interest to get back into the MA I purchased the DVD because it mentioned Gong LI specifically as a routine and was elated to know I could learn the form again. I deemed learning the routine again a kind of a re-entry point if you will to getting back involved. Well the student performing the routine obviously knows it but the preciseness of form structure appears to be lacking, he looks kind of out of control going through some of the motions. This is defintely a form that needs attention to detail when being taught, which is also lacking during the section breakdown of the routine.While I'm glad I purchased the DVD, and I will make use of it, even slowing the remote to glean what I can for the Gong Li routine, individulas should know that learning the routines themselves will be a bit difficult unless you are already somewhat fimiliar with them or have a DVD with nice (slowmotion)features.The 3rd routine seems to be given a bit different treatment where you can watch several students involved with the forms and the various sections, this is definitely more helpful visually when learning, although not a substitute for detail oriented training.The DVD has some very insightful, useful application points about various moves within the forms which is good , also training excercises which are good also. Overall the DVD gets 3 stars when compared to other VCD's I've recently ordered which give more attention to detail like the Six Harmony Mantis Series and others. One last thing and this is incase the DVD creator is reading. Replace the drums with conversation about the routines when it's being performed. I for one who purchased it would find this more benficial when trying to become immersed in learning it. Especially since it's one of the few I have where engish is being spoken. With that said I have and will continue to enjoy the DVD. I consider it a good purchase with the exception of the aforementioned.Regards,Greg / IL

This is one of if not the best Kung Fu training videos out there. Anything by Dr. Yang Jwing Ming is worth having if your a avid martial artist or kung fu practitioner. I have other kung fu instructional videos and none can compare to this one. Please note I recommend you steer clear of the martial art instructional videos sold by martialartsmart and in the Kung Fu Tai Chi magazine. they are all garbage and I was very disappointed with all of those. This product here I would recommend to anybody. Though you should also have books on the subject. I recommend Dr. Yang Jwing Mings book called Shaolin long fist to go along with this video. And always remember you cannot completely learn everything from a video . You need to be taught by a qualified instructer to know the fine details. But if you have no martial arts experience and read up onj it and watch this video and the exercises contained therein, you can learn kung fu from this. Though it would be hard to learn the forms with this video alone. The quality of the picture is alittle bit disappointing. Its not completely clear and alittle blurry. But that dosent take away from its value. I just think for such an expensive video they can at least make it in HD or have a clear picture. Still it gets 5 stars anyway.

The DVD is very helpful because it gives complete information. I mean complete sequence and sequence breakdown and application, and the history of the system. This way, one can fully appreciate the art that is being taught. I am very thankful to Dr. Yang and his organization for making this information available to everyone.