My new dvd: STANDING GRAPPLING: ESCAPES AND COUNTERS is ready for sale.

To purchase, please go to the Shen Wu home page and click on "New Products"

Thanks to all who have already ordered the dvd.

For those of you who pre-ordered, thanks for you patience. All orders received will ship on Jan. 2.

Damn Excellent DVD !

Tim continues with in-depth instruction that builds on his earlier works Chin Na 1 & 2 and Effortless Combat Throws.
The DVD is clear, concise, and kept simple. Full of details that make a difference being able to apply the moves without resorting to force and brute strength. The presentation gives drills that can be practiced with and without resistance for real and sports defense. The text overlay is beautiful, and helpful. The examples are easy to see. Safety is mentioned for practice.
This is a GREAT Instructional DVD.
Also
Tim's black eye adds a credibility that is beyond words.

And for those of you that have already bought a copy-

Gabe and Anasari look good a bit more squatty than I remember them.
And
I see Bob#2 was the foot monitor, I am waiting for him to mention how I one should "Glue" their arm to the chest of an opponent.


Team Shen Wu
Thank You for your hard work and for keeping the price modest.
Jamie

That's a great review, Jamie.

One of the sceenes I nixed from the project made into the 'highlight' footage leading me to quit upon viewing the final version.My suggestion wasn't taken seriously by the producer.

Just got my copy (Thanks Tim!), and watched it right away. The DVD exceeded my expectations, which were already pretty high.
I have covered all this material with Tim over the last couple years, and that is exactly what this DVD reminded me of, my personal notes from lessons with Tim. Clear concise instruction that is easy to apply, "natural" if you will. Well organized and taught Tim! Principles are emphasized, with leverage being the dominant application throughout. All the while Tim does this on guys that outweigh him by at least 80#'s! For those familiar with Tim Cartmell's prior projects on Chin Na and Effortless Combat Throws, you will not be disappointed with the concise, applicable lessons found on this new DVD. The only thing that has changed is the calrity and sharpness of digital photgraphy and better production have made this DVD much, much nicer and easier to view.
I surely liked the picture in picture for some close ups where they were needed. The PIP coupled with bullet points highlighting the principles and theory behind what we just learned, were absolutely great! Damn good idea.
Production quality was high, I really felt that overall it is a great job. Well done, and bravo to all involved; Tim, Shane, Amber, Gabe, Meynard, and anyone else I left out.
It is my very honest opinion, and a very biased one as well, that two DVD's have set a new standard for all other martial DVD projects forth coming. The "Stand Up Grappling" DVD by Tim Cartmell at www.shenwu.com, and the soon to be released DVD of "The First North American Mantis Conference" www.mantisquarterly.com are phenomenal in their production quality, ease of navigation, and quality of content.
Great job guys!
Cheers
Jake

I'm very glad you guys liked the production quality. I'm especially glad you like the text overlay- I was concerned it could be seen as corny. Over all, my main goal was to capture Tim being Tim, and aside from the side-slitting jokes bantered about in the regular classes- I think we did it.

Jamie and Jake's replies have made my night.
We're making plans for the next DVD to begin production soon.
(I certainly hope we can find an experienced foot monitor)

Thanks.. and spread the word.
Shane

side-splitting

I ordered mine last week - can't wait to see it.

What is the next DVD project?

I got mine this morning and just finished watching it.

Excellent work, guys. Production quality is very good, and of course Tim's instruction is among the best out there.

I like the self defense focus versus the competition focus. Keeping the escapes and throws basic was smart - coupled with the emphasis on why the throws work makes the viewer able to understand why he is doing certain things to defend, and keeps reminding him with each successive technique.

All of these are things I would readily (and will be) teaching police officers for officer survival.

The little "anti-grappling" tidbits are very good too, you guys should think about doing a "self defense against a grappler" DVD as well!!

Two critiques:

I found some of the white text overlay difficult to read against the hanging scroll background. I'd say a different color but that might look tacky(?) Dunno how I would address that - the white on just the white wall would probably be hard to read, too.

In the headlock escape (on the ground, to keep from getting rolled) and one of the standing clinch moves, Tim shows them from two angles to demonstrate the body movement. I think showing the "front" angle first, then the back angle, might be easier to follow.

Cool footage of Shenwu workouts and competition throws! Leaves us wanting to see an "Advanced Throwing" DVD - which I hope the next one is!!!!

And Happy New Year to you, too Tim, I'll be seeing you soon!

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Happy New Year to all.

The more I watch it the better it gets.

I really enjoyed the DVD. I've been doing this stuff for years and have seen most everything under the sun. Almost every escape on the DVD I was familiar with, but each and every time Tim added a detail I didn't know or overlooked. I loved Tim's attitute and teaching style. His students are very fortunate. The DVD has been in my player for 2 days. I can't count how many times I've studied it. But I'm not finished yet!!

Thanks Backarcher!

I received my copy of the DVD in England last week, just a few days after ordering. Good service!
Firstly I wanted to agree with Backarcher; I have several hundred instructional DVDs and this one really is special, in the quality of information, attention to detail and the clarity of the teaching.
Keep up the good work!

and secondly....

Thanks David.