The book was written by
Jin Yi Ming and
Guo Cui Ya. The first edition of the book was issued in August of
1930. The book was printed by the
Publishing House Hua Lian in
Shanghai. The book covers
"External" (WAI GONG) and
"Internal" (NEI GONG) training methods practiced by traditional schools of the
"Shaolin Family" (SHAOLIN PAI). Today as in the ancient time special exercises aimed at acquiring
"Internal Mastery"(GONG FU) are one of the most important elements of
Shaolin monks training. Those exercises is the core of the
Shaolin martial training, they are the key to the true summit of mastery. An old proverb says:
"If you exercise only the technique (style) but ignore special training you will be a nobody till your old days." "Special training" implies particular exercises for developing both
WAI ZHUANG - "
External Power" and
NEI ZHUANG - "
Internal Power". Those exercises (training procedures) are collected under a common title -
LIAN GONG, literally
"Exercising to Acquire Mastery".