The chinese fighting technique described inthis book is believed t have developed from a form devised at teh Saholin Temple by the Indian monk Bodhidharma. Called Shih-pa lohan shou (Eighteen Arhat Hands), it was the original Lohan form. Its prupose was to provide monks with exercises that would not only strengthen their bodies and minds, but also arm them with a formidable system of self-defense. The authors present the Lohan techniques of south China (as taught by the Hood Khar Pai) in both the solo- and partner-practice forms.

Intended as a suplement to actual training, this book gives the history of the Shaolin arts and then continues with a detailed explanation of the Lohan form.

Accompanied by almost 30 sketches and over 400 black-and-white photographs, this straightforward introduction to the Lohan system is a must for any serious student of Shaolin techniques.

P'ng Chye Khim, trained in the Shaolin tradition, is head instructor of the Penang Shaolin Athletic Association (Malaysia); he is also a licensed acupuncturist.

Donn F. Draeger gained international renown as an authroity on Asian martial arts whose numerous books continue to be classics in the field.

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
1 Background of Shaolin
Legend; History; Some definitions; Northern and Southern Shaolin systems
2 Fundamentals of shaolin
Handsign and salutation-Origin and history; Making the handsign; Using the handsign; Mental outlook
Stances and postures-General; Level-horse stance; Triangle-orse stance; Independent-leg stance; Cat stance
The Shaolin fist-Forming the fist; The fist as a striking surface; Delivery of the Shaolin fist
Basic punching exercises-Long punching method 1 and 2; Short-punch training method
The Shaolin foot and leg-Use of the legs; The foot as a striking surface; Delivery of the foot
Basic kicking exercises-Kicking method 1, 2, and 3; Leg-strengthening exercise
The Shaolin open hand and arm-Use of the hands and arms; Delivery of the open hand; White Crane exercise; Hand-and-arm coordination exercise
3 The Lohan pattern
General
Opening the pattern
1 Lohan Kai Kung
2 Chin Pu Chong Ch'uan
3 Sang Pu Swang chuay
4 Te Chiao Hern Tu
5 Hey Hu Chuan Sing
6 Lohan Yee Ting
7 Yu Chuan Sing Tui
8 Tui Pu Chey chang
9 Ching Kan Toh Yueh
10 Hern ch'uan Chuan Sing
11 Lohan Chi Ku
12 Ching Kan Fu Hu
13 Lohan Cho Hu
14 Swang Loong chu Hai
15 Ting Su Yang Ch'uan
16 Pai Yuen Ching Tao
17 Erh Hu Chu Tung
18 Tui Pu Ta Hu
19 Fan Sao Chi Tui
20 Ching Kan Tuan chiu
21 Ching Kan Pu Min
22 Chuan Sun Chiao Nan
23 Hey Ju toh sing
24 Ching Kan Chong Chui
25 Ching Kan Chiang Moh
26 Mung Hu Ju tung
27 Lohan Sun tien
Closing the pattern
4 Applying the Lohan Pattern
General
Opening the pattern
1 Applying the Lohan Kai Kung
2 Applying the Chn Pu Chong Ch'uan
3 Applying the Sang Pu Swang chuay
4 Applying the Te Chiao Hern Tu
5 Applying the Hey Hu chuan Sing
6 Applying the Lohan Yee ting
7 Applying the Yu chuan sing tui
8 Applying the tui Pu chey Chang
9 Applying the Ching Kan toh Yueh
10 Applying the Hern ch'uan Chuan Sing
11 Applying the Lohan Chi ku
12 Applying the ching kan fu Hu
13 Applying the Lohan Cho Hu
14 Applying the Swang Loong Chu Hai
15 Applying the Ting su Yand Ch'uan
16 Applying the Pai Yuen Ching Tao
17 Applying the Erh Hu chu tung
18 Applying the tui pu To Hu
19 Applying the Fan Sao Chi Tuki
20 Applying the Ching Kan tuan Chiu
21 Applying the Ching Kan pu min
22 Applying the Chuan sun Chiao nan
23 Applying the hey hu Toh sing
24 Applying the ching kan chong chui
25 Applying the ching kan chiang moh
26 Appling the Mung Hu Ju Tung
27 Applying the Lohan sun Tien
Closing the pattern
5 Shaolin training methods
General
Costume
Training area
Method
Hardening your anatomical weapons
Toughening your hands, fists, forearms, sand-pan method; Stone-block method; sandbag method
Toughening your feet, knees, legs, shinbones and insteps; knees
Micellaneous training methods
Shoulders
Wrists
Eyes
6 Potpourri
Shaolin and some other asian combative arts
Weapons of Shaolin
Glossary-Index