Tai Chi, also known as T'ai Chi Ch'uan, is the moving form of a combination of yoga and meditation. It is an internal Chinese martial art, the philosophy of which is not to meet force with force, but to meet it with softness and follow its motion, redirecting it, and so meeting yang with yin. This book takes the reader through 24 Yang sequence. Each stage is accompanied by easily understandable descriptions of how the movements in the sequence, along with new illustrations indicating the moves. The text also references health benefits and significance within Tai Chi. Clearly written for anyone new to Tai Chi, exquisitely illustrated and beautifully made with traditional Chinese bookbinding techniques, Tai Chi makes an excellent gift for both beginners and dedicated Tai Chi enthusiasts.

Somewhere beyond the circle of money, glitz, drugs, and controversy that characterizes professional sports in America, remnants of an ideal exist. In Iowa, that ideal survives in the form of high school wrestling.

Each a three-time state champion, Jay Borschel and Dan LeClere have a chance in their senior year to join the sport's most elite group: the "four-timers," wrestlers who win four consecutive state titles. For Jay, a ferocious competitor who feeds off criticism and doubt, a victory would mean vindication over the great mass of skeptics waiting for him to fail. For Dan, who carries on his back the burdens of his tiny farming community, the dreams of his hard-driving coach and father, and his own personal demons, another title is the only acceptable outcome.

"Four Days to Glory" is the story of America as told through its small towns and their connection to sport the way it was once routinely perceived: as a means of mattering to the folks next door.

Budo is the spiritual way of the martial arts that all practitioners must follow if they are to be true martial artists. In this book, Masaaki Hatsumi explores the very essence of Budo, and demonstrates an array of important techniques relating to this essence, explaining how the concept of Budo transcends any one combat technique and is at the core of all the many martial arts developed in Japan.
The author also reveals secret techniques and the hidden principles of the martial arts, and elucidates the words of his master, Toshitsugu Takamatsu, on Budo and life. Including many photos, works of calligraphy, illustrations, and documents on the martial arts and their role in Japanese culture, The Essence of Budo will resonate with practitioners of all martial traditions including judo, Aikido, karatedo, kendo, kenjutsu, jujutsu, and other fighting sports.

Dynamite and Davey: The Explosive Lives of The British Bulldogs is the triumphant but ultimately tragic story of Tom Billington and Davey Boy Smith. Cousins born just a couple of years apart in a small mining town near Wigan, Tom and Davey discovered the art of wrestling as schoolboys. Tom went on to become 'The Dynamite Kid', arguably the greatest and most pioneering wrestler in history, but his short temper and determination to reach the top of a sport dominated by naturally bigger men would be his undoing. The more reserved Davey became a global superstar, but followed his cousin not just into exceptionalism, but into heavy substance abuse as well. Ultimately, the extraordinarily dysfunctional world of pro wrestling would prove too much for the cousins from Golborne - one proud, one naive. Together they became the best and most influential tag team of their generation. But they could not escape their demons, and their triumphs eventually submitted to their tragedy. Dynamite and Davey is a gripping cautionary tale.

PICK YOURSELF UP OFF THE CANVAS.

TRANSFORM YOUR BODY AND MIND.

MAKE YOUR COMEBACK.

From weighing twenty-eight stone and fighting a deep depression, to his amazing return to heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson opens up and share his inspiring advice and tips on diet, exercise regime, and his incredible journey back to a healthier body and mind.

Frank, accessible and inspiring, The Furious Method is a feel-good and motivating tonic, full of inspirational advice for readers on how we can all improve our physical and mental health. And how we can all create a champion mind-set.

Whatever your starting point or past set-backs, Tyson will show you how you can make your own comeback and start living your life to the fullest – fighting fit, mentally restored, and stronger than ever.

Authentic qi gong as practiced in the Shaolin Temple where this discipline originated centuries ago
- Reveals the fundamental spiritual principles and includes both a short and long form of the daily exercises
- Explains the benefits of mastering energy in the body, such as organ strengthening
- Includes a 53-minute DVD of exercises performed by the author, a Shaolin monk
The great teacher Bodhidharma is credited with the creation of Shaolin Temple qi gong and kung fu in the 6th century CE. Motivated by the terrible physical condition of the monks who spent all their time meditating or copying scrolls, his two-part system promoted physical as well as spiritual fitness and became the basis for all the martial and meditative arts taught in the Shaolin Temple. These ancient practices increase physical health and vitality, enhance creativity, and can be practiced well into old age.
Author Shi Xinggui, a Shaolin monk, explains the fundamental principle of qi gong--the art of mastering energy (qi) and moving it through the body--and provides clear demonstrations of all the positions and movements. In order to develop qi attentively, it is necessary to cultivate the art of slowness in both movement and breathwork. Shi Xinggui provides both a short form and a long form of the daily exercises, with lessons on heart centering, organ strengthening, and balancing the energy using the three dantians--the three energy centers of the body. A 53-minute DVD of the exercises performed by the author is also included.

Although the energetic anatomy of men and women is different, the ancient teachings of Nu Dan, a separate branch of internal alchemy for women, have been lost in the literature over the centuries and only survive through practice in the lineages. This book takes a detailed look at female energetic anatomy, exploring how it is different from its male counterpart, and explains and describes the specific practices which support the unique strengths and challenges that the female energy system presents. Previously wrapped in secrecy, the teachings in this book include qigong exercises that activate the energy of the uterus and an explanation of how menstruation and a connection to the cycles of the moon can be converted into a tool for Nei Gong development.

Martial arts have grown in popularity in recent years as we have begun to discover the many benefits that each one can offer. While they can help to improve physical fitness, they also teach the importance of balance between body and mind, and this makes them particularly appealing. There is a wide range of disciplines to choose from and this book will introduce you to some of the most popular forms. The history and philosophy of each art is explained, followed by photographic step-by-step instructions that clearly illustrate the key techniques. Whether you are a beginner or experienced practitioner, this guide will help you develop your skills at every stage.

This is a revealing look at the history of race relations in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century portrayed through the lives and times of the first two African-American heavyweight boxing champions, Jack Johnson and Joe Louis. Incorporating extensive research into the black press of the time, the author explores how the public careers and private lives of these two sports figures both define and explain vital national issues from the early 1900s to the late 1940s.

From its humble beginnings in the Midwest after World War II to its worldwide expansion and eventual dominance of a $25-million-a-year industry, the National Wrestling Alliance's (NWA) rise and fall is detailed in this dramatic tale. While celebrating the great achievements of star wrestlers like Lou Thesz, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and Buddy Rogers, this history also exposes the inner workings of wrestling, describing in detail the Department of Justice's investigation of the NWA's operating procedures. The comprehensive study of NWA promoters and how their relationships to influential politicians, writers, and each other protected their interests for more than 50 years offers an inside look at wrestling's complicated legacy, revealing the intricate conspiracies of this century-old brand of entertainment.

Compiled from Bruce Lee's notes and essays and originally published in 1975, this iconic volume is one of the seminal martial arts guides of its time. The science and philosophy behind the fighting system Lee pioneered himself--jeet kune do--is explained in detail, depicted through hundreds of Lee's own illustrations. With the collaboration of Lee's daughter, Shannon, and Bruce Lee Enterprises, this new edition is expanded, updated, and remastered, covering topics such as Zen and enlightenment, kicking, striking, grappling, and footwork. Featuring an introduction by Linda Lee, this is essential reading for any practitioner, offering a brief glimpse into the mind of one of the world's greatest martial artists.

Finally Frank has brought his unique style of training unto the screen! A brief description of the contents of this epic training DVD is: Body Tone & Stretching; Blocking & Applications; Punching & Applications; Kicking & Applications; Knife Attack & applications; Grappling; Breathing & Meditation; and, Road Rage - Cashpoint Machines - Car Parks! Extra Features include History of Karate-Do / Interviews with students / Deleted Scenes! The perfect viewing - The Complete Guide! Approximate running time: 180 minutes.

A tribute to the life and words of 3 times World Heavyweight Champion boxer, Muhammad Ali. I Am The GreatestA" is a 48 page book of quotations attributed to one of the greatest sportsmen and biggest personalities of modern times, Muhammad Ali. From the moment he won the Gold medal at the 1960 Olympics, to beating Sonny Liston and becoming World Heavyweight Champion, through the epic fights with Joe Frazier, George Foreman and many more besides, Ali was never short of something to say. Often witty, sometimes profound, his hugely outspoken words carried as much punch as his actions in the ring.

The World War II Secret Operations Handbook lets you in on the skills and tricks used by the British SOE (Special Operations Executive), the US OSS (Office of Strategic Services), the French Maquis, and other special forces in combat in Europe, Africa and Asia between 1939 and 1945. Learn how to rig up a makeshift radio, how to pass undetected in enemy territory, how to live off the land and make shelter, and how to work as a sniper. Learn how operatives blow up bridges, roads, railways and arms depots and how they work with the local resistance. Presented in a handy pocket-size format, the World War II Secret Operations Handbook takes the reader from arrival in enemy territory through survival, accomplishing a mission and finally ensuring sound exit strategies. The book also includes a number of sidebars on real life secret operations from World War II. With more than 120 black-&-white artworks and with easy-to-follow text, the World War II Secret Operations Handbook is an excellent guide to the techniques and skills used by the men and women of the special forces, techniques that are as relevant today as they were in 1945.

The culmination of 25 years of research, Alex Bennett's groundbreaking English translation of Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings reveals the true meaning of the original work. This piece of writing by famed samurai Musashi (1584-1645) is the single-most influential work on samurai swordsmanship, offering insights into samurai history, the Zen Buddhist state of "no-mind" that enables warriors to triumph and the philosophical meaning of Bushido-"the way of the warrior." Until now, English translations of The Book of Five Rings have been based on inaccurate copies of Musashi's long-lost original manuscript. Bennett's translation is the first to be based on a careful reconstruction of the original text by Japan's foremost Musashi scholar. By identifying discrepancies among the existing copies, adding missing texts and correcting over 150 incorrect characters, this source is the closest representation of Musashi's original work possible. Utilizing this new source, Bennett captures the subtle nuance of the classic Japanese text, resulting in the most accurate English translation of The Book of Five Rings available. The texts are richly annotated by Bennett, who includes an extensive introduction on Musashi's life and legacy. This paperback edition also includes a new introduction by Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan Graham Sayer, who talks about the influence Musashi's writings have had on him as a person and martial artist. The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works will be widely read by those interested in Japanese culture, Samurai history and martial arts-setting a new standard against which all other translations will be measured.

The hard-hitting, personal stories shared by some of boxing's biggest names are presented in a series of short, sharp features in Tales from the Top Table. Seventeen world champions are among the main attractions. Delve deep into the psyche of the famous fighting men and relive their experiences in the ring - the good, the bad and the ugly. There are many fresh and surprising stories included here, as these memorable anecdotes about the fighters' lives and times were originally intended only for the ears of those in attendance at the Bar Sport in Cannock - and could easily have stayed that way. The bar's upstairs Premier Suite holds just 300 people but countless sporting idols have passed through its doors, helping to put the Staffordshire town on the map. Now Craig Birch's exclusive notes on Bar Sport's after-dinner speakers put you right in the room. Every chapter is packed with the unique stories and inside information from boxing's beloved aficionados. Foreword by Richie Woodhall, former WBC super-middleweight world champion.

Trained by the top Israeli Defense Forces instructors, Gershon Ben Keren is one of the foremost professionals on the martial art of Krav Maga. In his third book, Ben Keren explains how to survive life-threatening real-world offenses;active shooters, carjackers, home invaders;and demonstrates how Krav Maga can be employed to respond to them.The result of extensive research including an analysis of over 140 active shooter incidents, Extreme Survival provides an apolitical view of personal safety concentrating on practical methods to survive violent situations.Each section of Extreme Survival has detailed instructions alongside a series of photographs that show move-by-move how to defend yourself and others against: Attacks in workplaces, homes, and public places; Unarmed attackers Assailants armed with knives, handguns, long barrel firearms, explosives, and improvised weapons; One-on-one assaults and attacks on groups; Attacks in open areas as well as in cramped spaces, such as inside a car. A 2011 inductee into the Museum of Israeli Martial Arts, Ben Keren focuses on the psychology of violence to inform his self-defense training. His successful line of Krav Maga instructional books are the only guides on the market illustrated with full-colour photographs taken in real time and in real life settings. Emphasising an awareness of your surroundings combined with an aggressive response, Extreme Survival teaches practitioners to neutralise an assailant's advantage early, before the situation escalates.

Explaining the process and energetics of Daoist internal alchemy, the author describes in detail the practice of Nei Dan, the alchemical firing practice of Daoism that has until very recently been a closely guarded secret. Drawing together a huge amount of esoteric material on the hidden aspects of Daoist practice, he presents theory and practice coherently for western practitioners. He offers his own experiences of each stage of attainment, describing the tangible results that should appear, and provides guidance on the practicalities and potential pitfalls of alchemical training.

The electric and daring independent wrestling tag team share their inspiring story of how two undersized, ambitious athletes from Southern California became the idols of millions of popular sports fans, coveted among the ranks of AEW's elite wrestling lineup. Featuring over 60 photographs and alternating between each brother's perspective, this entertaining memoir is a complete portrait of what it means to grow into-and give back to-wrestling, the sport and profession they embody and love. Famous for their highflying moves, Superkicks, and viral videos, Matt and Nick Jackson are two of the hottest and most talented competitors in professional wrestling today. Known as the Young Bucks, this pair of ambitious brothers are an inspiration to both fans and aspiring wrestlers worldwide due to their message of resilience and determination. That they are also faithful family men devoted to their loved ones gives them additional appeal. Young Bucks begins in Southern California, where two young boys grew up dreaming of success and fame. Matt and Nick look back on the sacrifices they made to achieve their ambitions, from taking odd jobs to pay for their own wrestling ring to hosting backyard events with friends. They share their joy at being recruited into the independent California wrestling circuit and the work it took to finally make it professionally, and speak frankly about what it means to have the support of millions of fans cheering their talents in arenas nationwide. The Young Bucks talk endearingly about their sport, their faith, and their families, sharing personal reflections and behind-the-scenes anecdotes while paying tribute to the wrestling acts and inspirations that came before them. They also elaborate on this historical time in the evolution of wrestling, as the sport and its culture dramatically change day by day. Told with the brothers' signature wit and charm, Young Bucks is warm, heartfelt story of hope, perseverance, and undying ambition.

Benny Leonard was arguably the greatest lightweight champion of all time. With superb boxing skills and potent punching power, he fought over 200 times and suffered just five defeats. He spent his boyhood in a crime-ridden ghetto in Manhattan's Lower East Side and was the greatest of a long line of Jewish boxers to emerge from the slums. Leonard was still only 19 when he knocked out Freddie Welsh to become world lightweight king in 1917. He defended the title eight times and retired as undefeated champion in 1925, to please the only woman he loved, his mother. But the 1929 Wall Street Crash wiped out his fortune and he was forced to make a comeback at 35. Leonard fought the best of his era: Johnny Dundee, Johnny Kilbane, Rocky Kansas, Jack Britton, Ted Kid Lewis, and Lew Tendler among them. Apart from being a sublime boxer, Benny was a first-class showman who helped to put boxing on a higher plane. He died as he lived - in the ring - while refereeing a fight at age 51. This is the definitive account of his remarkable life and career.

The inspiration for the Jedi knights of Star Wars and the films of Akira Kurosawa, the legendary Japanese samurai have captured modern imaginations. Yet with these elite warriors who were bound by a code of honor called Bushido--the Way of the Warrior--the reality behind the myth proves more fascinating than any fiction. In Samurai, celebrated author John Man provides a unique and captivating look at their true history, told through the life of one man: Saigo Takamori, known to many as "the last samurai." In 1877 Takamori led a rebel army of samurai in a heroic "last stand" against the Imperial Japanese Army, who sought to end the "way of the sword" in favor of firearms and modern warfare. Man's thrilling narrative brings to life the hidden world of the samurai as never before.