Book: The Art and Science of Staff Fighting by Joe Varady

NINE LEVELS, EASY TO EXPERT

This book stands apart from other staff training manuals. While most titles focus on forms and twirling, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting emphasizes the dynamics of combat. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions.

Joe Varady lays out a comprehensive course of study in nine levels, from beginner to expert. He guides readers through such fundamentals as stances, striking, blocking, and footwork. In advanced lessons, readers learn disarming techniques, groundwork, and facing multiple opponents.

But this book is not just for staff enthusiasts. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts can adapt these techniques, increasing their skill and confidence in defending themselves.

"Our environment is usually full of improvised weapons,” Varady writes. “Staff fighting techniques can be effectively applied in a self-defense situation using a walking stick, coatrack, curtain rod, floor lamp, hockey stick, fallen tree branch, broom, mop, shovel, or rake.”

Equipped with this knowledge, readers will begin to realize that, in one way or another, they are nearly always armed and capable of defending themselves.

This book features:

• Nine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expert
• Over 600 photos with motion arrows
• A “nondenominational” approach to staff, utilizing the best of Eastern and Western arts
• A comprehensive, methodical approach to building staff skills

If you are already a student of the staff, these lessons will not conflict with your katas or current style. Instead, they will augment your techniques, broadening your options.

Whether you are an experienced staff fighter or a layman seeking practical techniques for self-defense, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting will help you develop the skills you need.

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DVD: Staff Fundamental Training—Tai Chi and Shaolin Techniques by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming teaches Staff fundamental training and partner matching practice. The techniques are compiled from Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) and Shaolin White Crane Gongfu (Kung Fu), offering uniquely comprehensive instruction of Southern-style Soft and Soft-Hard Staff training. Techniques include:

• Sliding
• Striking
• Stinging
• Coil Stinging
• Blocking / Bouncing
• Point Striking
• Chopping
• Staff Sparring
• Advance-Retreating Circle-Sealing
• Four Corners Repel-Neutralizing
• Follow-Neutralizing Entering
• Four Sides of Staff Sealing
• Step Forward to Seal the Staff
• Sweeping Strikes in 4 Directions
• Matching Fundamentals

Dr. Yang offers detailed instruction for each movement, and corrections while students demonstrate, making it easy for the viewer to refine their staff technique.

Staff training develops the fundamental skills required for all other long weapons training, and it is traditionally the first long weapon learned in Chinese martial arts.

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