DVDS: from Plum Publications

Here is our own page of DVDs. We are proud of them. They represent blood, sweat, tears, arguments, heartbreaks, failed equipment, new equipment, less-than-perfect conditions, and much improvisation. They also represent years of careful thought, decades of refined teaching, details of movement aligned with traditional principles, theory rarely discussed elsewhere, 'flavor', and clear instruction. You even get some glimpses of the beauty of Santa Cruz, California (and a guest appearance by our cat). We tend to shy away from self-promotion, but each DVD below comes with our confidence that it is a product we can stand by.

Ted Mancuso is a veteran teacher with over 40 years experience. He has taught thousands of students and written for just about every major martial journal in the English language, along with translations into Chinese and Spanish. The Director of the Academy of Martial Arts, Santa Cruz, California, he has dedicated much time and effort to the spread of authentic Kung Fu philosophy and practice.

NEW! DVD#19007 10 Road Tan Tui:
The Spring Leg Form
By Ted Mancuso, from Plum Publications
See background on this form

NEW! DVD#19006 The Tai Chi Short Set
By Ted Mancuso, from Plum Publications

DVD#19005 Beyond Technique
The Art of Possibilities

This DVD, produced by Plum Publications, was the first exposition of John Ottenberg's concepts on tape. This is the original tape converted to DVD without chapters. It's a little rough but you will see John's basics premise of the Motion-Movement and Technique and its radical implication for streamlining self defense. This was originally developed to target the schools that say they teach self defense, but fall short of the mark. Even though it is curriculum oriented, it's teaching foundation is comprised of adaptable fighting material. The material here is thick with possibilities.

Contents:

Note: One word or advice, John's technique is highly refined so much to as to appear casual. You will have to actually try these motions to understand the level of sophistication involved.

around 50 Minutes       $19.95 (Plum discount: Buy two Ottenberg DVD's and receive a 15% discount)

DVD#19004 The T'ai Chi Sword
By Ted Mancuso, from Plum Publications

This is a teaching and demonstration tape of the famous Yang Style T'ai Chi Straight Sword (Taiji Jian). Unlike many such tapes there is a good deal of discussion on the manipulation of the sword itself with more than mere replication of postures. This tape gives some feel for the teaching style of Ted Mancuso, ShihFu.

From the Tape: "When all is said and done the T'ai Chi sword is great fun. It preserves the martial heritage that is so essential to a real understanding of T'ai Chi but combines it with the grace and fluidity that we all have come to associate with the art itself. T'ai Chi Sword must fulfill the promise of T'ai Chi by retaining its special flavor and yet functioning as a true display of martial prowess. The sword itself is the perfect symbol of this idea. It has a graceful and flexible body yet is perfectly straight, as straight as the spine of the practitioner. In many ways it is the best symbol of Wu De, martial virtue. Associated with scholars as well as warriors it signifies the ideal of Wen Wu, literature and martial skill combined."

This video contains the following, some items rarely seen:

• A thorough introductory discussion of the sword itself.
• Fundamental Exercises with the sword for timing, stepping and flexibility.
• The T'ai Chi Sword form demonstrated front and side view.
• Complete breakdown on the steps of learning the form.
• Applications of T'ai Chi fencing, usage and partner exercises.
  
  US $24.50

DVD#19003 the Shaolin Cane: Weapon of Self Defense
by Ted Mancuso
About an hour, complete with form and applications
US $ 29.95 PLUM DISCOUNT price $24.50 see viewer comments

In this presentation Ted Mancuso, our resident Kung Fu instructor, utilizes a traditional Shaolin cane set taught to him by one of his teachers, Kwong Wing Lam, to explore the very nature of weapons work. Introductory remarks bring new points to light about the usefulness of weapons work especially, with simple, easily available instruments.

Among the topics covered, Mr. Mancuso discusses and demonstrates:

•Basic strikes and their applicability to all weapons
•Grips and the "flexible hand" concept
•The traditional Northern Shaolin Boxing Cane form
•In-depth stepwise breakdowns of each section of this fast and mobile form
•Examples of applications, including running commentary explaining more than just the movements but the reasoning behind cane defenses.

According to this teacher,
"Over the years students have come to me and say, - I'd like to learn the cane from you.When I ask why they always say something like, - For my father. He's getting old.At that point I have to explain to them that this is one of the most dynamic weapons sets in the entire Shaolin arsenal. After all, if you think about it handing a simple stick to a Kung Fu artists who can do sword, spear, whip and dagger is just like saying "anything goes." This is definitely not your grandfather's cane form."

DVD#19002 Bagua: The Art of Change #2
By Ted Mancuso, from Plum Publications see viewer comments

The Bagua Body: moving through change
"Nothing else like it on the market! A complete training tape including reeling silk theory, applications, basics, warm-ups and, of course, the famous Eight Changing Palms. An essential reference for every martial library.  

DVD#19001Bagua: The Art of Change #1
By Ted Mancuso, from Plum Publications see viewer comments

The System of Bagua: a whole course in one tape...
"Nothing else like it on the market! A complete training tape including reeling silk theory, applications, basics, warm-ups and, of course, the famous Eight Changing Palms. An essential reference for every martial library.