The Making of a Butterfly-Traditional Chinese Martial Arts as Taught by Master W.C. Chen

'When you first start to learn martial arts, the ma (basic stance) is the most important thing,' Chen said. 'If you don't develop a storng ma you will never have strong techniques. Your power comes up from the bottoms of your feet. If your balance is bad or if your legs are weak, the powera cannot

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come up to your hands. It is said that the first seven years are spent building a strong ma. After that, you are ready to learn.'-from the book.

At a time when Chniese martial arts were rarely taught to gwai-lo (foreigners), Phillip Starr entered the training hall, the home, and the heart of legendary kung-fu master W.C. Chen. In this collection of stories and humorous anecdotes from his apprenticeship, starr passes on the techniques, forms, and philosophy of his sifu (teacher). Each story provides detailed instruction, as well as insight into martial arts practices and life itself, from the words of the master.

'The Making of a Butterfly is a rich story of old Chinese kung-fu meeting American culture. This book made me long for the old ways of martial arts instruction before McDojos and health clubs dominated the land. I had been waiting for this book for a long time and din't even know it. A wonderful book, lovingly written.'-Kris Wilder, Goju-ryu karate instructor and author of Lessons from the Dojo Floor and The Way of Kata: A Comprehensive Guide to Deciphering Martial Applications

'Phillip Starr is a very personable and knowledgeable sifu in the Chinese martial arts. I endorse his knowledge and tacing, and hope that everyone reads The Making of a Butterfly with an ipen mind and body.'-Sifu Harlan Dai Tong Lee, five-time U.S. National AAU Kung-Fu Champin and head instructor of the Gee Yung Fut-Ga Institute in Honolulu, Hawaii

Phillip Starr has been practicing martial arts for nearly fifty years. He is the founder of Yilichuan kung-fu, a style that merges China's internal systems, and he holds a third-grade black belt in Kyokshin karate. Starr lives and teaches in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 Knock, knock...
Chapter 2 The life and times of W.C. Chen
Chapter 3 Concentrate!
Chapter 4 Look ma! No hands!
Chapter 5 Polishing the mirror
Chapter 6 Constant practice
Chapter 7 True courtesy...
Chapter 8 The death of kung-fu
Chapter 9 Weapon nature
Chapter 10 Culture, kung-fu, and baseball
Chapter 11 The ancient texts
Chapter 12 The meaning of the bow
Chapter 13 The test
Chapter 14 Commit or quit
Chapter 15 Don't fight your opponent!
Chapter 16 Form and fighting; fighting and ofrm
Chapter 17 Sitting quitetly, doing nothing
Chapter 18 the mystery of chi
Chapter 19 Two sides of the same coin
Chapter 20 Getting the point
Chapter 21 Stop, look, and listen
Chapter 22 Sleepwalking
Chapter 23 Touch and throw
Chapter 24 The art of deception
Chapter 25 Hurry up and wait
Chapter 26 It's the real thing
Chapter 27 The secrets
Chapter 28 Forget it!
Chapter 29 Healing and hurting
Chapter 30 The art of pain
Chapter 31 The teacher
Chapter 32 The uniform
Chapter 33 Commence!
Chapter 34 Discipline
Chapter 35 The meaning of courage
Chapter 36 Custom fit
Chapter 37 The voice of thunder
Chapter 38 Pushing the envelope
Chapter 39 Fame and fortune
Chapter 40 Crossing I's and dotting T's
Chapter 41 Four weaons, four teachers
Chapter 42 The most valuale gift
Sources for quotations
About the autho

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