First, be advised that all of these VCD's are IN CHINESE ONLY. In our opinion that doesn't matter much because the instruction is clear and the quality of photography very good. But we will not accept returns just because people didn't read... IN CHINESE ONLY. Given that, these are really tremendous deals for the money. Each of these special VCD's can be played on a computer for full enjoyment. Made for PC's they are also Mac compatible by downloading Quicktime (for free) and any scimitar VCD player program. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow!

Er Mei Style Zhao Men Branch page #3

Er Mei (Omei) Mountain has for centuries been considered the home of many great martial artists. Styles from Er Mei often fall somewhere between the relative hardness of Shaolin and softness of Wu Dang. Also Er Mei is famous for an unusual variety of weapons, some centered on navel engagement as well as land fighting. This is one of Er Mei's many styles: Zhao Men Branch. See a video clip of this style.

Demonstrator: Xiao Qing Huang is an inheritor of the style as well as a champion and an expert in Yang Tai Chi.

Click on pictures to see larger versions.
VCD#1101 Er Mei Xiang Yu Fist
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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Ba Wang Quan. During the beginning of the Han dynasty (around 200 b.c.e.) Xiang Yu, who had thought himself invincible, was defeated. Formerly, Xiang Yu's sack of Xian Yang had ended the Qin dynasty. His fall was noteable. There are well known musical compositions based on this sad moment. This set, which somewhat resembles Cha in timing and length, show strong stances, graceful arm motion and some nice combinations. It is a traditional Northern Long Fist set of intermediate length and good skills.
VCD#1102 Er Mei Five Tiger Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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This is the real starting place for this branch of Er Mei Boxing. Here is a nice form with Roads that repeats many moves at least on both sides and often in threes. This is a highly learnable set that, at the same time, is not overly basic. It is a Long Fist selection with discernable sections that would allow someone to break it down and easily memorize the parts. Movements include some back kicks, throwing techniques and rapid strikes. Solid beginning to intermediate set.
VCD#1103 Er Mei Black Tiger Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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A short, fast set done almost exclusively with Tiger Claw hand formations. Manyh whipping and clawing movements interspersed with jumps and body spins. Fast, loose arms with some strong movements and the characteristic Tiger Stance as a half crouch. Said to be related to ErMei's Shaolin origins.
VCD#1104 Er Mei Seven Star Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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A very fluid set based thematically on different forms of Windmill blocks. There are other skills involved such as Running Steps and some balance scales. The wide range arm motions are mixed with some punches and other strikes at unsual angles most of which fall into the category of Long Fist. A nicely constructed set with some timing challenges and a softer approach than that of the previous Black Tiger.
VCD#1105 Er Mei Yan Qing Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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This is a short set but it shows more of Xiao's skill than any of the previous. Hand moves are fast and "face changes" are equally quick with the attention of the performer turning 180¼ instantly. This is not for those not gifted with fast feet. A nice set that looks like it came from a different influence than those previous. Said to originate in HeBei.
VCD#1106 Er Mei Plum Blossom Boxing
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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This is a major set of the Er Mei style. Many challenging movements: hands on the floor kicks, back kicks with turns, double broom sweeps and half splits with back stretches. Also a wide range of arm techniques and of energies. The complexity of a martial set is only superficially on the level of difficulty of the moves and also ranges through different energies such as Shaking Jin, Short Jin and Growing Jin. In this sense this is an advanced set of the branch.

VCD#1107 Er Mei Plum Blossom Elbow
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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It is not unusual for a style to have a number of sets almost indistinguishable from many other styles and then to present some forms of true distinction. This doesn't mean that this set is necessarily to everyone's taste but the unsual angles, linked low kicking combinations, folding actions, alternating use of power and soft movement make this one of the more difficult, sophisticated and essential of the hand sets presented here. A complex and interesting form.

VCD#1108 Er MeiThree Part Staff
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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We have to warn you honestly that learning a three sectional staff set from a VCD is much like learning auto hypnosis by listening to tape while driving: dangerous doesn't cover it. Having decades of playing with the instrument we can say that Xiao knows how to use the weapon though people tend to think that the rolls are the essence when the strikes and changes are the core. A good, solid and traditional set with many changes and a few really tough moves even for those with experience.

VCD#1109 Er Mei Two Part Staff-Nunchucku
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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The phrase Shao Zi is confusing in Chinese meaning "main" "threads" "boatman" "short pants" and such. But Shao means a branch and Zi as a diminutive simply indicates a short one. In other words a little stick, a nunchuck. It's interesting to see a form with the nunchuck which is so unlike the movements we normally associate with the Okinawan usage. Long, fast moves and wide sweeping actions. Some catches but certainly fewer than is typical for such sets. Fast hands and body movements.

VCD#1110 Er Mei Feng Wei Saber
About 1 Hour, VCD pricing, Chinese Only
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This is a lively and sophisticated saber set with many changes. Though teacher Xiao uses a very light, Contemporary WuShu type blade the movements are essentially true to traditional actions. Some extra emphasis on reverse figure eights as well as quick turns while revolving the weapon.