Authentic Iron Palm: The Complete Training Manual

by Phillip Starr

Overview

An advanced training course for developing a strong striking hand to deliver powerful blows using the Iron Palm martial arts technique

A comprehensive guide for experienced practitioners of Chinese martial arts—including kung-fu, karate, and taekwondo—with over 200 instructive images

Iron Palm is a set of martial art conditioning skills—dating back to the Shaolin Temple of 5th-century China—whose purpose is to strengthen the hand while empowering the fighter to strike with force and precision. Training is focused and incremental, requiring the guidance of an experienced master. 

Author, instructor, and 5-time US National Chinese martial arts Champion Phillip Starr provides the definitive guide to Iron Palm, meticulously outlining the 3 sequential steps of training: 

• hardening limbs
• developing technique
• engaging Qigong for coordinating breath and mind

The end result is a more powerful and precise strike that can impact the target’s viscera with no trace on the outer body. Lavishly illustrated with more than 200 images, this book is ideal for experienced martial arts practitioners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623174354
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	03/10/2020
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Phillip "Pete" Starr began his training in the martial arts in 1956, beginning with judo. Within a year, he received instruction in traditional kung fu in the basement of a small Chinese grocery store. He continued his training, also earning black-belt grades in two styles of Japanese karate (third dan in Kyokushin, first dan in Shito-ryu). His primary kung fu teacher was W. C. Chen, a direct disciple of one of China's best-known masters, Zhang Zhaodong. From Master Chen, Starr learned taijiquan (tai-chi chuan), xingyiquan, baguazhang, and a form of shaolinquan. He began teaching Chinese martial arts in 1967 at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa. After spending several years in law enforcement, he opened his first full-time martial arts school in Ottumwa, Iowa. He entered competition and earned the title of U.S. National Champion five times, the last time when he was sixty-three years old. He was named to the National Rules Committee of the United States Karate Association and became the kung fu chairman. Later, he was named to the list of the Rocky Mountain top ten competitors. Starr went on to train in Arnis, becoming a certified instructor under Tuhon Leo Gaje and Jeet Kune Do.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Part 1 A Beginning: The First Hundred Days

1 What Is the Iron Palm? 3

2 The First Hundred Days (Part One) 11

3 The First Hundred Days (Part Two) 19

4 Developing Slapping Power 25

5 Going Back to Your Roots 31

6 Basic Body Actions 35

7 Brewing Your Own Medicine 39

8 Basic Long-Breath Qigong Exercise 41

9 The Microcosmic Orbit Breathing Exercise 45

10 Standing Qigong Practice 53

Part 2 On the Path: The Second Hundred Days

11 The Second Hundred Days 59

12 Whip It 63

13 Preliminary Tests 67

14 The Macrocosmic Orbit Breath 73

Part 3 The Final Phase

15 The Final Frontier 81

16 Advanced Assessments 85

17 Myth Busting 89

18 Instructions for Building a Striking Post 91

Conclusion 95

About the Author 97

Editorial Reviews

Any serious student of Chinese Martial Arts should engage in the practice of Iron Palm, a frequently neglected, widely misunderstood, and often mysticized practice. Sifu Phillip Starr’s incredible lifetime commitment to Chinese martial arts combined with his rare knowledge and teaching ability has perfectly positioned him to write this book. I wholeheartedly recommend it!”
—Chris Lomas, Chinese martial arts teacher and 2019 Champion of Catch Wrestling World Championship Super Heavyweight

“Shifu Phillip Starr’s no-nonsense approach of conversational language coupled with his experience of Iron Palm gives us a text that is informed, motivating, and accessible. Authentic Iron Palm is an excellent primer for the beginning student and a quality reference for the advanced practitioner.”
—Damon Honeycutt, MFA, Chinese martial arts instructor and transdisciplinary performer

From the Publisher