Authentic Iron Palm

A comprehensive guide to "Iron Palm" -- a martial arts training protocol for developing a strong striking hand and delivering powerful blows.

Iron Palm is a set of martial art conditioning skills dating back to the Shaolin Temple of fifth-century China. Its purpose is to strengthen the hand while empowering the fighter to strike with force and precision. Skilled practitioners are known for their ability to split a stack of concrete slabs without incurring injury. Training in this traditional method can take years; it is focused and incremental, requiring the guidance of an experienced master. In this book, author, instructor, and five-time U.S. National Chinese Martial Arts Champion Phillip Starr provides the definitive guide to Iron Palm. He meticulously outlines the three sequential steps of training: hardening limbs, developing technique, and engaging Qigong for coordinating breath and mind. The end result is a more powerful and precise strike that can impact the target's internal body (with no trace on the outer body). Lavishly illustrated with over 200 images, this book is ideal for experienced practitioners of gong-fu, karate, and taekwondo.