Chinese Gong Fu

<p> Gong fu the indigenous martial art of China was exported into American popular culture through numerous kung fu movies in the 20th century. Perhaps the most renowned of the martial arts in the U.S. gong fu remains often misunderstood perhaps because of its esoteric practices that include aspects of Daoism Confucianism Buddhism and other syncretic elements.</p><p> Using the science of embodiment--the study of the interaction between body mind cognition behavior and environment--this book explores the relationships among practitioner praxis spirituality philosophy and the body in gong fu. Drawing on familiar routines films artifacts and art the author connects the reader to ancient Chinese culture philosophy myth shamanism and ritual.</p>