Jason Tsou Kung Fu

Books

Yang Taiji- the untold story- $32.50

_________________________________________

 This book is in its third publication. In the book, Jason Tsou and his disciple, Art Schonfeld  discuss part of Sifu Tsou's  methodology for learning and training Yang Style Taiji. Much of Sifu Tsou's  back ground in Taiji derives from Yang Ban Hou and Yang Shao Ho, the uncle and older brother of Yang Cheng Fu respectively. They use the subtitle- "the untold story" because it is their feeling that Yang Cheng Fu either omitted or withheld much of the substance of Yang Style in the forms and teachings  that come down to us through his lineage today.

     In this book they explain that Taiji involves the balancing of yin and yang energy and that as a martial art our objective is to balance the energy of one's opponent in order to neutralize his attack. They focus upon the 24 short form as a starting point for their discussion but stress the importance of learning Long Fist stances as well as  understanding the historical influence of long fist, and Chinese metaphysical thinking on the style as it evolved. The book includes a discussion of the metaphysics that includes the use of Taiji as a stage in the cyclical progression of the universe. Yang Style Taiji as taught by Sifu Tsou can be viewed as a progression from ball to bowl. The Qi is formed as a ball and is then compressed, twisted and stretched into a bowl as the practitioner transitions from Ting (listening energy through Hwa (diverting energy) to Na (controlling energy and finally Fa (power issuing).

   Along with the eight Long Fist stances, a Taiji Qigong, (Ball and Bowl training) is presented as major building blocks for the development of proper body structure and Taiji flavor. The book also includes a detailed set of photographs in which Sifu Tsou details both postures and transitions as he demonstrates the 24 short form.

    We have further plans to publish two more volumes dealing with Yang Style Taiji as well as a project dealing with Chen Style Taiji.  

 BOOK WITH DVD

Tantui - Gateway to Kung Fu (Book & DVD) - $49.95

________________________________________



 Tantui is the first level of Long Fist. Since the Emperor Taizhu (927-976) Long Fist has been the backbone of most Chinese Martial Art. The Islamic Long Fist is one of the most authentic of the various styles that have come down to us. In this book Sifu Tsou explains how to practice Tantui and how to mine the value from such practice. The book has an accompanying DVD to help the student with the movements as well as to demonstrate the practical applications that underlie and are often hidden within the movements. As readers become more familiar with Tantui and the way Sifu Tsou views it, it is likely that they too will find the foundational framework for most of the newer arts within its context.

This books comes with a spiral binding to allow for easy opening and closing and a better "hands on" experience.   

The Complete Jianshu - (Book & DVD) $49.95

_________________________________________

 The Complete Jianshu lives up to its name. Whether you are interested in learning sword fighting or just want to understand the meaning of the movements in a sword form you’ve learned, this is the place to start.  The book does not teach any particular form. It stays with the basics, teaches techniques, and clarifies many of the foundational principles needed for sword fighting. Particular attention is paid to fighting techniques and to the rules used for competition.  This book is meant to be of value to anyone interested in fencing (Eastern or Western) or anyone interested in understanding the thought processes that underlie Chinese Martial Arts and by extension any martial art. We have received glowing reviews from many highly respected martial artists which suggests that this book is a must for any serious martial artist’s library.

This book is bound in a spiral binding that allows the reader to open it flat at any page without risking a tear to the binding.  



Chin Na - take control of energy- (book & 2 DVDs)

$49.95

________________________________________

     Many people make the erroneous assumption that Chin na confines itself to locks and holds. While this is a by product of an understanding of Chin-na, Sifu Tsou explains in this seminar setting that Chin-na is actually a method whereby a skilled practitoner can control energy.The energy controlled is not just limited to one's opponent's energy,it includes not only  the opponent's energy, but the practitoner's energy and the energy that exists within the ambient environment.

     Understood in this way, Chin-na is not a practice exclusive to serious fighting. It becomes a way of understanding movement. In other words,  Chin-na techniques can be found in virtually every movement of every martial arts form if you know how to look for them. The awareness of these techniques will add depth to your understanding and allow you to safely employ the principles during competitive sparring. Therefore, anyone interested in martial arts can deepen their understanding from use of the principles employed in this book. Sifu Tsou has structured the information in such a way as to make it useful for all practitioners of martial arts regardless of their present level.

     The five major techniques of Chin-na, Jie Mai,(interrupting qi flow in the extremities) Bi Qi (interrupting Qi flow in the torso),Fen Jing,( separating tendons) Cuo Gu (destroying skeletal structure) and Dim Mak (pressure points along the meridian lines) are all discussed and examined in terms of the underlying principle of controlling energy. Instead of memorizing a number of detailed techniques,  Sifu Tsou explains to his students how to recognize and utilize certain principles. With this new ability, the student will recognize otherwise unseen opportunities as they present themselves during a sparring session. At the same time, understanding of the interplay of these same principles will deepen the student's understanding and add further dimension to their performance of whatever forms they are currently practicing. 

This book can come with a spiral binding or unbound at the buyer's request.