Fatal Flute and Stick Forms: Wah Lum Kung Fu

Rating:
Summary: WORTHLESS
Review: Forms are given with pictures with little to no detail from one segment to another. Stance and proper technique are not written out well at all. I was hoping to learn some forms in both flute an stick but instead was given a bunch of pictures that leaves much left out from one movement to the next.

Furthermore I was throughly not impressed with the fighting capablilities shown for both the flute and bo. I have taken 3 forms of martial arts (tae kwon do, jiu jitsu, and kung fu), so as a experienced martial artist I strongly advise against this book.

Rating:
Summary: WORTHLESS
Review: Forms are given with pictures with little to no detail from one segment to another. Stance and proper technique are not written out well at all. I was hoping to learn some forms in both flute an stick but instead was given a bunch of pictures that leaves much left out from one movement to the next.

Furthermore I was throughly not impressed with the fighting capablilities shown for both the flute and bo. I have taken 3 forms of martial arts (tae kwon do, jiu jitsu, and kung fu), so as a experienced martial artist I strongly advise against this book.

Rating:
Summary: A good book for the right person, otherwise pass
Review: I came into reading this book with a strong background in Japanese staff arts and about a year and a half of Chinese Northern style martial arts. I wanted to compare Chinese staff fighing with what I had seen in Japan. This book did a pretty good job at filling that need.

I do see some problems and have to say that the wrong person might actually be harmed by reading this book without the proper knowledge.

The skills shown in this book are based on the skills of Wah Lum Praying Mantis Kung Fu. For students with a background in that art I am sure they will make a smooth transition from unarmed to armed skills by using this book. It is everyone else that I worry about.

The stances, philosophy of combat, means of generating power, etc, all come from the unarmed side of the art. People who have no knowledge of those aspects and just pick up this book expecting to learn to use the skills inside will end up short. You just can not take the principles of jujutsu or karate and try to apply them to the pictures in this book. If you do you will end up with a huge mess.

Part of the problem is that Chan Poi is so good. He makes everything look so easy. I have done similar things and can tell you that it is anything but. I remember learning some similar stuff and thinking that I was doing it right, only to have the teacher come along and (with the liberal use of his boot) show me how it was not right and how small holes in my form could be exploited. Anyone trying to learn this stuff on their own may just build bad habits like that.

There were also some sections where I could see that there was a whole lot going on below the surface of the photo. What worries me is how much was going on when I was not aware of it.

If you are learning the art, then this book is a must, just like Cliff Notes help when reading a piece of literature. It is not set up as instruction, but the pictures and such will help jog memories as you practice by yourself between instruction. Five stars in this case.

If you study a Northern style and/or have some background in stick fighting then the techniques may be very helpfull and will probably cause you to think about aspects you have not considered before. Four stars.

But if you have no background in Chinese arts or no background in stick fighting, then you will get very little out of this.

This book is not really for instruction purposes, rather it is more of a reference. The flute forms interest me because they are set up for lightweight short sticks (like a flute) and yet can be used with things as heavy as a D cell flashlight like those popular with police, and as light as a rolled up newspaper. Some arts require a lightweight stick (like Kali) or heavy stick (Japanese tessenjutsu.) These techniqes seem more versitile. I just wish the writer had taken more time with the basics instead of jumping into the form so quickly. A deeper explination would have made this less of a reference for students, and more of a wider ranged instruction manual.

The staff section is also interesting, but also is not much more than reference for active students in a school. All the Chinese styles I have seen so far tend to use one end of the staff more than the other. My first instinct is to think that it is a waste not to use both ends, but the rake I have would best be used with such techniques. I would not want to hit with the side that had the plastic tines and so these techniques may be more use in that situation.

If you are the right person, then this is the right book. If not, then you should get some instruction and come back later when you are ready.

Rating:
Summary: This book rocks!! Master Chan is the Man!!!
Review: If you know anything about Norther Styles of Kung fu, then this is a masterwork of information. This book actually gives two ancient weapons forms, the flute, and the staff (stick). Poi Chan is the formost Chinese weapons master in the world. With this book, you will see why!

Rating:
Summary: FLute and stick forms and excercise
Review: This book has basic excercies for the flute. A very nice flute form and stick form. As well as sparring. The end of the book also covers basic stances. But do not let this fool you; this is not a book for those who have not had formal training. It is misleading. The flute form is subtly and hard. You will need instruction. But a great book to help you remember the form.

Rating:
Summary: Great source from stances and warming up to the acctual form
Review: This book not only teaches you the form for the fatal flute and the stick, but the stances and some streching procedures before beginning. Grandmaster pui chan is one of the best martial artist.

Rating:
Summary: The Foremost Authority in Wah Lum Praying Mantis Kung Fu!
Review: This is Grandmaster Poi Chan's first publication and he did an EXCELLENT job of sharing his Kung Fu knowledge and experience with the reader. The material in this book is the REAL DEAL and has a lineage that can be traced back to the Shaolin Temple in China. Grandmaster Poi Chan is the 33rd disciple of the Shaolin Temple and the 6th generation successor of the Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis System. The book provides us with clear, depictable, pictures and well-written descriptions of the Fatal Flute form and the Basic Stick form. Histories of each of the weapons, as well as fighting applications, are provided in substantial detail. A complete history of the systems lineage is also given. The book is a great addition to any martial artist's collection, especially of those in the Chinese martial arts. Personally, as with all martial art "teaching" oriented books, it it very hard to learn from them but this book will provide you with a great start and a valuable reference.