Paul Crompton (1) (1936–)

Kung Fu, the mysterious and deadly fighting art of China, has been popularised in recent years by a spate of cinema and television programmes. But when the TV and screen euphoria has faded what really is Kung Fu?

Stories of Kung Fu styles and Kung Fu masters run through the turbulent history of China like a silk thread. Kung Fu Theory and Practice traces the history, folk lore, religious background, secret society affiliations, legal implications, popularity and practical applications of the art.

The author is the editor of the magazine Karate and Oriental Arts and has great experience in Kung Fu. He studied one of the main styles, follows all the current trends and has met many of the Sifu (teachers) of the art. His world-wide range of acquaintances perform all the traditional styles and he has tried in this book to present a clear picture of a subject which is as confusing as it is alluring.

Born in 1936, Degree in Modern Languages at King's College, London, Former school teacher, musician. Trained in Judo in Leeds and London, and later in Karate under Tatuso Suzuki, H. Itanazawa, and T. Dukes. Has his own Karate Club in Putney London-Okinawan style. Studied Tai Chi Chuan (Chinese Calisthenics) under Mr. J. Yalewelian and was a pupil of the famous T.T. Liang and Cheng Man Ch'ing.

Paul Crompton founded the Karate and Oriental arts Magazine in 1966 and is the Editor. He has been instrumental in producing several unique books and articles on Japanese and Chinese forms-and at present has keen interest in all Oriental forms of self-development. He is always interested to hear from readers with information on these forms.

Contents

Prologue
Introduction
1 Styles of Kung Fu
2 Sifu, ancient and modern
3 Sleeping dragon and other stories
4 Kung Fu and chinese medicine
5 Chinese and Japanese attitudes
6 Background of Kung Fu beliefs
7 The Monguls
8 Kung Fu and law and order
Index
Notes on practical section… (mere)

Tai chi is a Chinese system of soft and gentle exercise characterized by co-oridinated and rhythmic movements designed to promote general fitness and well-being. Paul Crompton gives a wonderful introductioin to this ancient art, describing the correct use of the postures and movements, and guiding the reader towards finding their own understanding of tai chi,

Find out how tai chi developed.
Learn about the different styles of tai chi.
Discover the benefits of tai chi.
Improve your mental and physical well-being.

Paul Crompton has studied martial arts for over 40 years, and is an internationally recognized expert in these areas. He has written extensively on the martial arts and his books include A Practical Introduction: Tai Chi and Walking Meditation.

Contents

Introduction
1 The history of tai chi
2 The postures and movements of tai chi
3 Push hands and combat
4 Tai chi weapons
5 Tai chi and allied martial arts
6 Chi kung
7 The I-Ching, yin-yang and the five elements
8 Tai chi poetry
9 Herbal remedies and food
10 Tai chi breathing
11 Tai chi today
Further reading and glossary (bibliography)
Useful addresses
Index… (mere)

Pakua is an internal martial art based on the eight trigrams of the classic Chinese text, the I Ching. It may be practised as a form of walking meditation to promote a sense of harmony and well-being for body, mind and spirit. Its secrets are revealed in the manual written by an internationally acknowledged expert on Chinese martial arts.

Pakua is known also as the art of Walkng the Circle, since circular action in all its aspects is fundamental. Particular attention is paid to relaxing whilst moving, and it is in the practice of paying atttention to the body that its meditative aspect is rooted. The freestyle exploration of pakua's footwork and unique movements can be a source of inspiration to teachers and pratitioners of dance, Western sports and gymnastics.

This comprehensive guide covers:

the origins of pakua.
The eight pakua animals and the movements corresponding to each: snake, dragon, lion, hawk, bear, phoenix, unicorn and monkey.
the connection with the circular arrangement of the I Ching.
the basic pakua form and how to practise it.
case studies of those whose health has improved with the practice of pakua.

Paul Crompton has studied martial arts for over 40 years and is an internationally recoginzed expert in these areas. He has written extensively on the martial arts, and his books incude The Elements of Tai Chi and The Art of Tai Chi: A Practical Guide.

Contents

Introdiuction: What is meditation?
1 Pakua Walking meditation
2 History and mystery
3 The benefits of pakua training
4 The circle
5 The pakua animals
6 Momentum, supervision, inertia
7 Pakua chang: Making the changes
8 The essential ingredient
9 Taoist philosophy
10 Pakua and the I Ching
11 Taoist meditation
12 Beyond theory
13 Ways of the dragon: Applications of pakua
Conclusion
Appendix: Complete eight palm changes
Glossary of terms
Further reading
Useful addresses
Index… (mere)

Push hands is a basic exercise of two partners that is practiced by students of T'ai Chi. Paul Crompton presents it here as a means of training oneself to relax under physical and mental pressure and to improve one's interactions with others in everyday life. Confronting the fear of threats to one's self-image and of losing one's balance is part of the psychological dimension of this practice. The author also offers, in workbook style, instruction in the fundamentals of the soft form of Push Hands and prepares the ground for studying the hard form, which is the actual fighting style. With step-by-step instructions and photographs demonstrating the movements, plus chapters on the concept of ch'i and Taoist philosophy, the book provides both practical advice and a philosophical appreciaton of this popular Chinese exercise.

Papul Cromptoin has abeen teaching T'ai Chi in England since the early 1970s. He is the editor of the British magazine Karate and Oriental Arts and the author of several books, including the T'ai Chi Workbook.

Contents

1 Exercise for two
2 Who is your partner?
3 The concept of Ch'i
4 Some personal experiences
5 Stories and sayings
6 Empty mind
7 Push hands training
8 More push hands
9 Brawn...but brains
10 The shape of the movement
11 Taoism and T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Conclusion
Some Taoist terms
Bibliography… (mere)