Books about Shaolin from Amazon.com

Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American’s quest to become a kung fu master at China’s legendary Shaolin Temple.

Growing up a ninety-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, young Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series, Kung Fu. While in college, Matthew decided the time had come to pursue this quixotic dream before it was too late. Much to the dismay of his parents, he dropped out of Princeton to spend two years training with the legendary sect of monks who invented kung fu and Zen Buddhism.

Expecting to find an isolated citadel populated by supernatural ascetics that he’d seen in countless badly dubbed chop-socky flicks, Matthew instead discovered a tacky tourist trap run by Communist party hacks. But the dedicated monks still trained in the rigorous age-old fighting forms—some even practicing the “iron kung fu” discipline, in which intensive training can make various body parts virtually indestructible (even the crotch). As Matthew grew in his knowledge of China and kung fu skill, he would come to represent the Temple in challenge matches and international competitions, and ultimately the monks would accept their new American initiate as close to one of their own as any Westerner had ever become.

Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale of one young man’s journey into the ancient art of kung fu—and a funny and poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China..
Price: $5.98 [Notify me when price goes down.]

.
Price: $12.69 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This complete and comprehensive introduction to kung fu--and other aspects of ancient Shaolin wisdom--will prove invaluable to everyone interested in the martial arts, chi kung, or meditation. It shows how kung fu, as well as other Shaolin practices, can bring you health, vitality, mental focus, and spiritual joy. It includes a history of the various forms of kung fu, an in-depth study of kung fu patterns and sets, and an introduction to kung fu weaponry, along with many stories of Shaolin wisdom and healing..
Price: $10.79 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Authentic qi gong as practiced in the Shaolin Temple where this discipline originated centuries ago

• Reveals the fundamental spiritual principles and includes both a short and long form of the daily exercises

• Explains the benefits of mastering energy in the body, such as organ strengthening

• Includes a 53-minute DVD of exercises performed by the author, a Shaolin monk

The great teacher Bodhidharma is credited with the creation of Shaolin Temple qi gong and kung fu in the 6th century CE. Motivated by the terrible physical condition of the monks who spent all their time meditating or copying scrolls, his two-part system promoted physical as well as spiritual fitness and became the basis for all the martial and meditative arts taught in the Shaolin Temple. These ancient practices increase physical health and vitality, enhance creativity, and can be practiced well into old age.

Author Shi Xinggui, a Shaolin monk, explains the fundamental principle of qi gong--the art of mastering energy (qi) and moving it through the body--and provides clear demonstrations of all the positions and movements. In order to develop qi attentively, it is necessary to cultivate the art of slowness in both movement and breathwork. Shi Xinggui provides both a short form and a long form of the daily exercises, with lessons on heart centering, organ strengthening, and balancing the energy using the three dantians--the three energy centers of the body. A 53-minute DVD of the exercises performed by the author is also included..
Price: $13.57 [Notify me when price goes down.]

shaolin, gong fu, kung fu, qigong, qi gong, chi kung.
Price: $31.37 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This book explores Shaolin Chin Na by presenting 150 techniques with detailed instructions for teaching yourself. Chin Na (Qin Na) is one of the four major fighting categories in all Chinese martial styles. The four categories are: kicking (Ti), Striking (Da), Wrestling (Shuai), and Seize-Controlling (Na). Joint lock Chin Na techniques can be effectively used against an opponents grabbing attacks as well as against wrestling. Pressing and striking Chin Na can be used to seal the opponents breathing, vein/artery, or Qi circulation, which can cause severe pain, numbness, unconsciousness, or even death. Most of Chin Na can be learned easily and be adopted into any martial style. Chin Na has been known as the root of the Japanese arts of Jujitsu and Aikido, and practitioners can use the study of Chin Na to increase their understanding of the theory and principles of their own arts. In this new edition. -Old Chinese spelling system has been replaced by the new academic Pinyin system. -Chinese characters are included in the text. -New information has been added whenever it will help the reader. -Old techniques have been modified according to the author's current understanding. -New photographs to improve the angle of the techniques and overall layout. -The ability to control an opponent through Chin Na is one of the highest measures of martial skill. -Teach yourself with this book, even if you have never studied martial arts before. -50 Chin Na techniques photographed and explained! -Improve your skills with the many training methods, attacks, and counterattack techniques detailed in this book. -Increase your fighting options! -Chin Na is easily integrated with any martial style. -Heal training injuries with section on Chin Na first aid, including herbal remedies. -Go beyond joint locks with vein and artery sealing, dividing the muscles/tendons, and misplacing the bone..
Price: $16.88 [Notify me when price goes down.]

This book is translated from a manuscript copied by a student of the Abbot of Shaolin Monastery. Part of the monastic lineage of 'fall & strike' medicine, this book presents hundreds of treatments for a wide variety of external or martial arts injuries as well as preventive training formulas. Back by popular demand, this is the second edition of this title which now includes a full symptom index, easier to use formula descriptions, and Pinyin as well as Latin herbal descriptions..
Price: $19.69 [Notify me when price goes down.]

The Shaolin Grandmasters' Text is a one-of-a-kind volume discussing the history, philosophy and Gung Fu of shaolin Ch'an, one of the most misunderstood schools of Ch an Buddhism..
Price: $18.46 [Notify me when price goes down.]

For intermediate and advanced students, seizing techniques applied in real combat scenarios..
Price: $20.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]