DVDs: SUN LU TANG page two

Sun Lu Tang was a very influential practitioner and writer. His three forms of expertise: Tai Chi; Xing Yi and BaGua were - in his writings - subsumed under the general heading of "Internal Styles" a designation still used today. Here are a number of DVDs showing various aspects of Sun's particular approach. Deng Fu Ming is turning out to be one of the main exponents of the SUN legacy. His teaching is strong and martially oriented as will be obvious when you see him move.

Click on pictures to see larger versions. See PAGE ONE.      Read customer opinion on this series.

DVD#11433 Sun style Swimming Dragon Bagua

53 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

DVD#18043 Sun Xing Yi Bagua 64 Hands

Much as in Gao Bagua Zhang style, the Sun combines the straight line practice. This DVD shows 8 lines each of 8 movements which pretty clearly show the Sun style application of its particular intersection of Bagua and Xing Yi. Deng demonstrates once again on his student, Li YiHua, with very precise angles and points of applications.

Just a note concerning the differences between this DVD and #18047 below: both of these DVDs show separate motions to practice for application and health. The earlier number #18043 shows individual strikes and movements from both Xing Yi and Bagua. The movements are performed in the air with issuance of power and a little demonstration of usage with a partner. The other DVD #18047 has the same format but concentrates on explosive single movements strictly from Bagua and those that can be performed while circle walking. Over all, Deng's movement have authority and he has an obvious interest in applications.

51+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

DVD#18047 Sun Xing Yi Bagua 64 Turning Palms

Deng demonstrates the Sun Bagua Zhang in an unusual and instructive way by showing, as he teaches the breakdown, the applications energy of each movement of each palm. Then he demonstrates on Li Yi Hua at the end. It can be a little confusing because, like a real martial artist, he loves to mix all the possible variations in with the basic instruction but at least you won't be wondering what it's all about. As Deng says in his introduction, Bagua is fighting and not that mysterious.

Just a note concerning the differences between this DVD and #18043 above: both of these DVDs show separate motions to practice for application and health. The earlier number #18043 shows individual strikes and movements from both Xing Yi and Bagua. The movements are performed in the air with issuance of power and a little demonstration of usage with a partner. The other DVD #18047 has the same format but concentrates on explosive single movements strictly from Bagua and those that can be performed while circle walking. Over all, Deng's movement have authority and he has an obvious interest in applications.

50+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles    

DVD#18048Sun Xing Yi 5 Elements Bagua Spear

Here is a very flexible series of movements done in a circle but with the energy of the Xing Yi spear added. Deng also demonstrates on his partner with spontaneous oral "notes" on the usage. The emphasis here is on usage but the circling patterns act as a template for a Bagua Spear performance though the order and timing can be changed.

52+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles       

104+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles 

DVD#18045 Sun Taiji Push Hands

With Li Yi Hua, Deng demonstrates the peculiarities of Sun style Push hands. We once practiced a Push Hands derived from Chen Pan Lin with much the same directness and compactness. The hand pattern is simple and much more practical than many. From here he shows many patterns, free steps, Da Lu and applications along with a final Free Practice. Well examined and demonstrated and superior as far as structure to many other approaches which, while seemingly more fluid, have less content.

51+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles   

DVD#11428 Sun style Five Elements

What is the usage hidden in the five key movements of Xing Yi? This is one of the best examples answering that question which we have seen to date. Instructor Deng Fu Ming moves and thinks like a martial artist. In a series of none too gentle applications he shows Xing Yi as it should be shown: that is, a series of very simple movements which hide a multitude of applications and responses. He also changes moves spontaneously as he talks giving us a valuable insight into the way a Xing Yi artist would fight.

52 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles   

DVD#11429 Sun style Linked Boxing

People often want applications with their VCD demonstrations. This series, based on Sun style Xing Yi, is exceptional in the precision of the details regarding usage. The instruction break down is also quite details with many fine points on posture and alignment. Instructor Deng has a well refined sense of angles and timing for fighting. His hands are quite fast, as befits a Xing Yi artist.

52 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles       

DVD#11430 Sun style 12 Animals Combat

Also a student of Liang Feng Xiang, teacher Deng here shows the famous 12 animals of Xing Yi. As with other VCD's in this series, the details of usage and instruction show a real understanding of martial thinking. The movements are quick, clean and mean. The rather simple looking actions of Xing Yi are shown to contain all the key concepts of even the most sophisticated martial experience. A good representation of general XY principles. This is a Double DVD.

104+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

DVD#11431 Sun style Mixed Fists of Xing Yi

Zha Zhi. This is one of the more famous combination sets in Xing Yi training. It combines the animal and elemental movements. It also specializes in retreating moves. Deng's approach is different, his movements do not emphasize graceful transitions but rather issuing of energy and directness of movement. Deng's interpretation of Xing Yi is very direct. His method of teaching is not just a rendition of the classic movements. Even when he is introducing the form, he will repeat moves again and again to show their characteristics. Applications are shown, mostly from a spontaneous clash where Deng then points out key points. He's not always elegant but he's always flexible and to the point.

52 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

DVD #11432 Sun style An Shen Pao Combat

In the world of Kung Fu there are many two person sets. The majority of them are mediocre down to ridiculous (though a heck of a lot of fun). An Shan Bao, a well known XY form, is one of the most realistic and rational, especially for boxing skills. The hands are fast and immediate, eschewing the wasted motion of so many paired forms. How do you show applications for a duet form? Teacher Deng goes over the form after it is demonstrated showing key points to the application of the moves. Contrary to what one might think, the evident movements of the form are insufficient for understanding even a two person set if explanation is lacking.

52 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

DVD#11437 Sun style Chun Yang Sword

The “Pure Yang” sword is a famous Xing Yi weapons form. This version is compact, straight forward and without the floaty posing of so many glazed over editions. As with other DVD's in this series, teacher Deng takes almost half the disk to demonstrate sword usage. The lessons are spontaneous with Deng identifying the skills involved with each ad lib response. Very instructive.

52 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles        

DVD#18042 Sun Xing Yi 12 Shapes

Deng Fu Ming, who is an experienced Kung Fu instructor, shows the famous 12 Animals (Shapes) of Xing Yi. His demonstration is clear and informed by his experience as a fighter. The twelve shapes differ from one Xing Yi style to another but they are all good because they are movements you can practice in any order one animal at a time or mixed together as you want.

53+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles        

DVD#18049 Sun Taiji Partner Sword

What we have here is that famous Xing Yi partner set known as the San Cai Jian—that is to say a version of it. In this case some of the movements are reinterpreted to make it a "Taiji" sword. This is an absolutely acceptable practice especially in the hands of someone like Sun Lu Tang. The two person set is fluid and decently constructed. San Cai is famous for being one of the best partner sets as to the actual application of the weapons and that's no doubt why Sun picked it. Individual applications and breakdown are given covering steps, angles and strategy. A good presentation.

BONUS: After the sword play there is a demonstration of the Sun style "whip stick," a rod that reaches about to the armpit. This is a rather sophisticated version of this routine, with lots of off-angles. No instruction, but whip stick sets are not as common as demand!

53+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles   

DVD#11435 Sun style Snowflake Saber Combat

Xue Pian Saber is from Sun Lu Tang.
This is one of the most awkward looking sabers in our repertoire but also one of the more solid. The movements are completely unlike tournament performance sets. Actions emphasize blocking and striking instead of twirling and rolling. The second half of the VCD has a lengthy section on applications where Deng and his disciple spontaneously spar and show key points and applications as they come up.

52+ Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles  

DVD#11436 Sun style Qi Spear Combat

To some this may seem strange (another meaning to “Qi” the title of the set) but Deng’s performance is anything but smooth and finished which suggests a familiarity with the weapon beyond that of someone who just does the set. When you see a form where, rather than mindlessly continuous, the movements look considered, organic and even difficult for the performer there may be a chance he is actually doing the form and its many tasks, not smoothing them over. The set itself is interesting, with unusual movements and some solid basics. Deng then demonstrates spontaneously with spear vs. spear showing key points of usage for dozens of applications.

51 Minutes Mandarin/ English Subtitles