| Wudang Kung Fu: Fundamental Training with Zhou, | | | | kicking is explained while Zhou is shown |
| Xuan-yun is an introductory program for | | | | demonstrating various kicks. Zhou opens with |
| warm-ups, basic stances, punches, and kicks from | | | | saying he won't teach all the kicking combinations, |
| this art from Wudang Mountain. Zhou is a Daoist | | | | but will show 24 basic kicks. There is not a lot of |
| monk and Wudang Kung Fu is an art that the | | | | detail in the instruction, just the basics of each of |
| monks of Wudang Mountain developed by blending | | | | the 24 kicks and then Zhou demonstrates. He |
| Daoist concepts with traditional Chinese fighting | | | | demonstrates applications with a partner holding |
| arts, integrating physical and spiritual practices in | | | | pads for most of the kicks. I do caution anyone |
| this internal-style of Wudang Kung Fu. | | | | regarding the use of crescent type kicks, or any |
| The DVD is well produced, as I've come to | | | | kicks for that matter, to kick a weapon, especially |
| expect from YMAA. The menus are easy to | | | | a knife, from someone's hand. I know many |
| navigate. From the main menu, you can play all in | | | | martial arts teach this, but to actually do so is a |
| English or Chinese or go to chapters. Zhou | | | | different story. I wish Zhou wouldn't have |
| instructs in Chinese, and if you watch the English | | | | mentioned this. Zhou does give tips along the |
| version there is an English translation voice over. | | | | way, but again, there is not a lot of detail in the |
| Both tracts have the English translation in subtitles | | | | instruction. A novice will need more instruction on |
| across the bottom. The chapters are broken | | | | kicking, especially for some of the jumping and |
| down like this: About Xuan Yun, Introduction, The | | | | turning kicks included here, but for an overview of |
| Meaning of Internal Arts, Warm Up, Stances, | | | | the kicks in the system this DVD is very good. |
| Striking Drills, Kicks, Sequence - Slow, Sequence - | | | | The forms (Sequence) section starts with some |
| Fast, Martial Applications, and Conclusion. | | | | general comments about forms while Zhou |
| The footage of Zhou in the short section about | | | | performs outside. Then the DVD moves back |
| him at the beginning demonstrates that he is an | | | | inside and Zhou illustrates the first form. It's also |
| extremely accomplished martial artist, and seeing | | | | shown outside too. Even though this first form is |
| him perform in the scenic settings was a good | | | | the simplest form taught at Wudang Mountain, it's |
| way to start the program. I also enjoyed the | | | | a fairly long and complicate form compared to |
| beautiful scenes as the history of Wudang was | | | | some of the simple beginning forms of some arts. |
| explained with a voice over in the introduction. | | | | It is a very beautiful form to watch as Zhou |
| The section on the meaning of internal arts is | | | | performs, especially outside. |
| short and provides a simple explanation and then | | | | After the demonstrations of the form, Zhou |
| the program goes into the warm up. The warm | | | | breaks down and demonstrates the various |
| up section begins by showing Zhou doing a couple | | | | moves from the form and applications of the |
| of warm up exercises and encourages the viewer | | | | moves. I really liked this, because I think having an |
| to warm up before training. Due to time, it does | | | | application to a move helps learn forms. There is |
| not instruct on a complete warm up, but | | | | also a written insert in the DVD that contains the |
| illustrates squats, various pushups, leg stretches, | | | | 24 postures/moves of the basic form in English |
| splits, waist turning, and wrist stretches. Most | | | | and Chinese. |
| martial artists will be familiar with these. If not, | | | | Zhou concludes by thanking his assistants and |
| you may want to consult other resources for | | | | shares a couple of words regarding training and |
| more detailed instruction on stretching and | | | | then the final scene shows him playing a Chinese |
| warming up. These first four sections of the DVD | | | | flute. The entire program was 97 minutes long. |
| take 21 minutes. | | | | The DVD also contains the standard YMAA |
| Zhou instructs that stance training is beneficial in | | | | extras with catalog and video previews. |
| itself to establish your roots, and as a type of | | | | I thought this was an excellent introduction and |
| stretching. Side and Straight Horse Stances, Bow | | | | overview of the basics of Wudang Kung Fu. To |
| Stance, Crouching Stance, Empty Stance, and | | | | learn the style, a person will need more than this |
| Side Stance are the stances illustrated. | | | | video, but that can be said of any martial art. For |
| Zhou teaches the striking drills by themselves | | | | the person who is studying this style, this will |
| before incorporating them into longer forms. | | | | complement their instruction nicely. If you are |
| Horse Stance Punchs, Side Horse Stance Punches, | | | | studying a similar style, this will also be very |
| Bow Stance Punches, and Elbow Strikes are | | | | complementary. For those that are just interested |
| performed. | | | | in various styles, this is a great overview. |
| In the Kicks section, a brief history of Wudang | | | | |