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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Combat sports & self-defence
The first book to focus on the intersection of Western philosophy
and the Asian martial arts, Striking Beauty comparatively studies
the historical and philosophical traditions of martial arts
practice and their ethical value in the modern world. Expanding
Western philosophy's global outlook, the book forces a theoretical
reckoning with the concerns of Chinese philosophy and the aesthetic
and technical dimensions of martial arts practice. Striking Beauty
explains the relationship between Asian martial arts and the
Chinese philosophical traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and
Daoism, in addition to Sunzi's Art of War. It connects martial arts
practice to the Western concepts of mind-body dualism and
materialism, sports aesthetics, and the ethics of violence. The
work ameliorates Western philosophy's hostility toward the body,
emphasizing the pleasure of watching and engaging in martial arts,
along with their beauty and the ethical problem of their violence.
Mooresy: The Fighter's Fighter is the life story of one of
Britain's most-loved boxers. Not always an angelic teen and a
product of the 'Salford Overspill', Jamie Moore was sucked into the
slipstream of the thrill which came with car theft. At 15, his luck
ran out after a helicopter police chase. Boxing turned out to be
his saviour. Progressing through the amateur ranks, he turned pro
in 1999 aged 20 and went on to become British, Irish, Commonwealth
and European light middleweight champion. Known by many as
'Britain's most exciting fighter' Moore engaged in some epic
battles, and was one half of boxing's Fight of the Year three times
within a five-year period. Four shoulder operations and three brain
scans prompted him to quit in 2010. He was snapped up by Sky Sports
and started training his own stable of champions. Life was good.
That life was almost permanently taken away from him in August
2014, after being shot at five times in Marbella. Despite having a
bullet lodged in his right hip and constant pain to his left leg as
a result of another bullet passing straight through his thigh,
Moore does not dwell on his brush with death.His serene acceptance
of life is inspirational as he remains a husband, proud father,
former champion, trainer - and occasional actor.
This collection of fascinating short reads on Daoist thought,
including Chinese medicine brings together some of the most popular
articles from the Scholar Sage online magazine, alongside new
material from Damo Mitchell. It includes: * How the teaching of the
'three worms' (Sanchong) demonstrates the way Daoism pulls together
models of the physical, energetic, spiritual and psychological * A
translation of and commentary on the Classic of Breath and Qi
Consolidation, an important Daoist classical poem that discusses
the relationship of Jing and Qi in the body * The importance of the
pineal gland in Daoist alchemical thought * The internal alchemy of
Fire, Water, Dragon and Tiger * The meaning behind the pairs of Fu
Dogs often seen guarding the entrances of Chinese temples,
government buildings and restaurants * How Fa Jin works * How
increasing your 'excitement threshold' can help you to find
contentment in states of perpetual centeredness * Understanding and
using food energetics * And much more. Helping you to think about
your practice in new ways, the book features contributions from
senior students at the Lotus Nei Gong School of Daoist Arts,
including Roni Edlund, Lauren Faithfull, Tino Faithfull, Donna
Pinker and Dr Seb Smith.
Drink, drugs, depression, sex scandals, financial meltdowns and
serious health issues are just some of the fights British boxers
have faced once they've quit the ring. A Champion's Last Fight
examines just why and exactly how some of Britain's greatest boxers
have self-destructed in retirement. It tells the stories of former
world champions who have struggled in life away from the spotlights
and the glare that comes with boxing success; delving into the
post-boxing lives and tribulations of Benny Lynch, Randolph Turpin,
Freddie Mills, Ken Buchanan, John Conteh, Alan Minter, Charlie
Magri, Frank Bruno, Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank, Naseem Hamed, Scott
Harrison, Herbie Hide, Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton. With
interviews and new revelations, A Champion's Last Fight is an
emotional journey through boxing history that examines the
struggles many former champions experience after hanging up the
gloves - and asks what, if anything, can be done to help the
nation's boxing greats adjust to life away from the ring?
**THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER** Gypsy Queen to the Gypsy King,
Tyson Fury's wife Paris reveals the magical highs and epic lows of
life with the Heavyweight Boxing World Champion, as she shares
their life story and what keeps them strong through the good times
- and the bad. Paris Fury is Tyson's rock, the wife he thanks for
all his success. Both from Traveller families, she married him at
19 and is hands-on mother to their six children, as well as at his
side through every fight. Always glamorous, strong, grounded, and
her own woman. When Tyson's struggles with depression, OCD and
alcohol have threatened to overwhelm them, she has held them
together, and helped to see Tyson through to the greatest boxing
victories. With all her warmth, humour and honesty, she tells her
story - from her Traveller childhood, falling in love, making a
home and a family, to coming through Tyson's darkest moments. She
vividly describes the anguish of their worst times, and what it's
like to be at the ringside. And she shows what it takes to balance
the fame, the fans and all the sporting pressures alongside
everyday family life.
Over the course of several centuries the Ancient Masters practiced
and pondered the mystery and purpose of Tai Chi Chuan, preserving
their profound insights in songs and poems. Shrouded in secrecy,
these songs and poems were closely guarded jewels and have only
been revealed to the public this century. Now, you can reap the
benefits of centuries of wisdom and practical experience to deepen
and refine your Tai Chi Chuan. Discover ways to reach the essence
of your Form and take your Push Hands (and sparring!) to higher
levels, for not only has Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming translated these
poems from the original Chinese, he has written additional
commentaries to make them more accessible to contemporary minds.
Insights from the Masters of Tai Chi Chuan is an invaluable
resource for students who seek true understanding of their art.
*Can be used with any style of Tai Chi Chuan.*Sound, practical
advice for any Martial Art.*Includes commentaries, translation, and
original Chinese.*Key points for incorporating the teachings into
your practice.*Poems from Chang San-Feng and other great Masters!
The Martial Arts Athlete answers questions that today's competitors
must know to succeed - should you do push-ups or lift weights? Are
energy bars and sports drinks any good? Are traditional forms a
waste of your time? How do you eat to win? Discover powerful
mind/body training for peak performance and incredible physical
conditioning. * Imagery for better strikes, kicks & takedowns.*
Meditations for a sharper mind.* The power of relaxation.* Mental
skills to manage pain, improve discipline, and feel great!
Incredible physical conditioning to get you in the best shape of
your life: * Step-by-step strength training for powerful arms &
shoulders.* Killer ab-work for a lean torso and washboard stomach.*
Plyometrics for strong legs and explosive kicks.* Three kinds of
stretching for dynamic flexibility.* Simple breathing techniques to
power you up. Discover the most effective workouts, nutrition
secrets, and mind/body training for peak martial arts performance
in competition and daily practice.
Close Encounters with the Gloves Off is a rollercoaster ride
through boxing history in the words of the boxers themselves, as
they recall their highs and lows, their greatest triumphs, the
background stories and many shock revelations. Acclaimed boxing
writer, author and historian Thomas Myler has interviewed every one
of the pugilistic greats featured, during a career spent covering
boxing; from the big names of the 'Roaring 20s' right through to
boxing's modern era. Muhammad Ali, Jack Dempsey, Georges
Carpentier, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Joe
Frazier, George Foreman and modern greats such as Mike Tyson, Sugar
Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield and Ken Buchanan all feature. Myler
has spent a lifetime around boxing and boxers and was once
described by George Kimball, prize-winning author of the acclaimed
Four Kings, as 'One of the world's best boxing writers'. Close
Encounters with the Gloves Off pulls together that life's work to
take the reader on a wonderful boxing journey which spans almost an
entire century.
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