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INTRODUCTION

Over the past fifty years martial arts have seen a rise in popularity never seen at any other time. Along with this popularity, though, has come a watering down of the traditional kung-fu methods. That is to say, the original purpose of the arts as systems of self-defense and physical and mental disciplines has turned into aerobic and gymnastic performance activities.

Due to the recent changes in the People’s Republic of China, martial arts there have taken on a unique flavor, one based on the utilitarian role they are seen as fulfilling. With the aesthetic aspects of the art being stressed, and as a result of the persecution of martial artists during the ten years of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), the practical aspects are often downplayed, and it is arguable that the overall level of skill in the combative elements of the arts has greatly declined.

The purpose of this book, then, is to not only preserve one of the most dynamic and realistic Chinese fighting arts in existence, but to provide the reader with a broader view of the art of Chuka Shaolin than has previously been available.