Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #238365 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 251 pages

About the Author
Jan Diepersloot has studied martial arts for nearly 25 years and is the author of Warriors of Stillness. He is the founder of the Contra Costa Center for Healing and the Arts, where he teaches. He lives in Walnut Creek, California.

Customer Reviews

Great source of Yi Quan History and Training
I have purchased many books on the subject of internal martial arts, specifically in the Xing Yi, Ba Gua, Tai Ji and Yi Quan. Yi Quan is an elusive subject, with very few chinese texts translated. This book provides a refreshing look at the history and sources of these arts. The book is a great read simply for its profoundness. Its not loaded with abstract thoughts on the subject of Yi Quan. It does a great justice to this seemingly lost art.

A few comments

As a student and teacher of both Chinese and Japanese martial arts for many years I found this book useful and interesting, although I agree that the author could have spent more time discussing how to achieve and cultivate internal energy in addition to the discussion of the more ethereal spiritual aspects of the art. In that regard I agree with Quinn that Yi Quan's superior combative aspect is what has created its increasing popularity, and the author could have delved more into that, but then there are also a lot of other books out there, such as those by Robert W. Smith and others, that already show the physical and mechanical aspects of the art. Obviously the author's intention was to produce a more advanced book discussing the philosophical principles as well, and I think he deserves some credit for that.

Overall, then, a good book, especially in regard to Yi Quan's history and its many technical, philosophical aspects, but if you want more of a how-to book you'll need to look elsewhere, or better yet, get some of the excellent videos that are now available on the internal boxing styles.

Very helpfull whatever your level is
I can only copy here what I already wrote about the other Diepersloot's book.
That's really a good book.
Good for absolutely beginner as well as for experts. It explains theory (without any mystics) and how to develop skills. Very deep, simple and consistently step-by-step approach. It tells you how a joint (just to give an example) should be used and how to work to consistently achieve that skill. The best think I appreciate of this book is about "how to do" and "how to develop" sensitivity (with clear examples and the work to do) on both your body, the external environment, rooting, push hands .......
You can use this book as beginner to just start your journey on I just can copy what I already wrote for the other Internal Martial Arts as well as to get insight from it on improving your study and to help your pupils advancement with the exposed exercises.
I read this book some years ago and I have to admit it greatly influenced my practice, knowledge and skills.
I highly recommend this book (as well as the other Diepersloot's book) it absolutely will not a waste of money.
I really have to thanks Jan for writing these books and to apologize for waiting so much to review them.