Tai-chi Ch'uan is an ancient Chinese art based on the principles of physiology, psychology, and dynamics for the purpose of increasing and sustaining health. By practicing Tai-chi Chu'an, you can strengthen muscles, promote and regulate good blood circulation, refresh your whole body-and stimulate your spirit as well. Proper practice of the simple exercises clearly shown in this book can improve your digestion, adjust your weight up or down, clear your mind, allow you to think more clearly, and help you in dozens of ways you will find almost miraculous.

Professional Wrestling and the Commercial Stage examines professional wrestling as a century-old, theatrical form that spans from its local places of performance to circulate as a popular, global product. Professional wrestling has all the trappings of sport, but is, at its core, a theatrical event. This book acknowledges that professional wrestling shares many theatrical elements such as plot, character, scenic design, props, and spectacle. By assessing professional wrestling as a neglected but prototypical case study in the global business of theatre, Laine argues that it is an exemplary form of globalizing, commercial theatre. He asks what theatre scholars might learn from pro wrestling and how pro wrestling might contribute to conversations beyond the ring, by considering the laboring bodies of the wrestlers, and analyzing wrestling's form and content. Of interest to scholars and students of theatre and performance, cultural studies, and sports studies, Professional Wrestling and the Commercial Stage delimits the edges of wrestling's theatrical frame, critiques established understandings of corporate theatre, and offers key wrestling concepts as models for future study in other fields.

Sports fans have long been fascinated with boxing and the brutal demonstration of physical and psychological conflict. Accounts of the sport appear as far back as the third millennium BC, and Greek and Roman sculptors depicted the athletic ideals of the ancient era in the form of boxers. In the present day, boxers such as Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson, Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. are recognized throughout the world. Boxing films continue to resonate with audiences, from the many Rocky movies to Raging Bull, The Fighter, Million Dollar Baby, and Ali. In Boxing: A Concise History of the Sweet Science, Gerald R. Gems provides a succinct yet wide ranging treatment of the sport, covering boxing's ancient roots and its evolution, modernization, and global diffusion. The book not only includes a historical account of boxing, but also explores such issues as social class, race, ethnic rivalries, religious influences, gender issues, and the growth of female boxing. The current debates over the moral and ethical issues relative to the sport are also discussed. While the primary coverage of the political, social, and cultural impacts of boxing focuses on the United States, Gems' examination encompasses the sport on a global level, as well. Covering important issues and events in the history of boxing and featuring numerous photographs, Boxing: A Concise History of the Sweet Science will be of interest to boxing fans, historians, scholars, and those wanting to learn more about the sport.

The reawakening of Asian martial arts is a distinct example of cultural hybridity in a global setting. This book deals with history of Asian martial arts in the contexts of tradition, religion, philosophy, politics and culture. It attempts to deepen the study of martial arts studies in their transformation from traditional to modern sports. It is also important that this book explores how Asian martial arts, including Shaolin martial arts and Taekwondo, have worked as tools for national advocate of identities among Asians in order to overcome various national hardships and to promote nationalism in the modern eras. The Asian martial arts certainly have been transformed in both nature and content into unique modern sports and they have contributed to establishing cultural homogeneity in Asia. This phenomenon can be applied to the global community. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue in the International Journal of the History of Sport.

Are today's boxers better than their predecessors, or is modern boxing a shadow of its former self? Boxing historians discuss the socioeconomic and demographic changes that have affected the quality, prominence and popularity of the sport over the past century. Among the interviewees are world-renowned scholars, some of the sport's premier trainers, and former amateur and professional world champions. Chapters cover such topics as the ongoing deterioration of boxers' skills, their endurance, the decline in the number of fights and the psychological readiness of championship-caliber boxers. The strengths and weaknesses of today's superstars are analyzed and compared to those of such past greats as Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey and Jake LaMotta.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR PRIZE. 'I kill a man and most people forgive me. However, I love a man and many say this makes me an evil person.' On 24 March 1962, when Emile Griffith stepped into the ring in Madison Square Garden to defend his world title against Benny Paret, he was filled with rage. During their weigh-in, the Cuban challenger had denounced Griffith as a 'faggot' and minced towards him. In the macho world of boxing, where fighters know they are engaged in the hurt game, there could be no greater insult. At that time, it was illegal for people of the same gender to have sex, or even for a bar to knowingly serve a drink to a gay person. It was an insinuation that could have had dangerous consequences for Griffith - especially as it was true. In the fight that followed, Griffith pounded Paret into unconsciousness, and the Cuban would die soon after, leaving Griffith haunted by what he had done. Despite this, he went on to fight more world championship rounds than any other fighter in history in a career that lasted for almost 20 years. In Donald McRae's first sports book in more than a decade, he weaves a compelling tale of triumph over prejudice - Griffith was black, so doubly damned by contemporary society, but refused to cower away as society wished. A Man's World is a classic piece of sports writing.

Unleashing Manhood in the Cage: Masculinity and Mixed Martial Arts addresses the question "Why do mixed martial arts participants endure grueling workouts and suffer through injury, with little or no pay, just to compete?" The answer is because the participants enjoy a form of idolization from their supporters, each other, and culture more generally, which is linked to masculinity. In fact, MMA organizers, from the very beginning, purposefully created elements of the sport that are linked to dominant narratives about manhood. In this context, men don thin open-fingered gloves, lock themselves in a caged enclosure, and slug it out in a fight with few rules to see who comes out on top. This all occurs while "ring girls" in high-heels and skin-tight shirts and shorts stride around outside the cage holding signs and peddling t-shirts. The sum of these elements is the creation of a type of a publicly accessible and consumable form of masculinity. The sport of mixed martial arts is a rich and intriguing space where the construction of gender can be explored through a sociological and ethnographic lens.

Physiology and Nutrition for Amateur Wrestling is essential reading for amateur wrestlers and their coaches with a desire to learn about physiological training and nutrition for their sport. Written by Charles Paul Lambert, PhD, a competitive wrestler and academic expert in high-intensity exercise, this book describes the primary physiological systems involved in amateur wrestling. Readers will learn how to substantially optimize performance and discover ways to improve body composition specific to the sport of amateur wrestling. The book addresses important issues, including relative energy deficiency in sport, debates around weight loss, the specificities of training and nutrition for female wrestlers, as well as strategies on keeping fit in the years after a competitive career. Features: Discusses strategies for monitoring overall training load to prevent overtraining and optimize training Includes optimal nutritional fueling plans for wrestlers written by a Certified Coach with USA Wrestling and compares different dietary approaches to losing weight and fat Provides optimal rehydration and refueling plans based on situational needs in the post-weigh-in period Both scientific and practical, Physiology and Nutrition for Amateur Wrestling will appeal to wrestlers, high-school and college coaches, and those working in applied physiology research and exercise science.

‘Fighting like a girl says I can be powerful in ways that are natural to me; I have access to power too – it may not look the same as your power, but it’s there and I can claim it.’ It should never be a woman’s job to have to protect herself – but choosing to learn about self-defence can be incredibly liberating. Fight Like a Girl is a practical beginner’s guide, in which women’s martial arts expert and survivor Della O’Sullivan draws on her years of experience to give us the tools to protect our bodies and minds. A truly empowering illustrated handbook, it includes: easy-to-follow self-defence manoeuvres how to spot red flags and protect yourself against alarming behaviour how to adopt the mindset of a survivor It is the book you’ll want to press into every woman’s hands.

Physiology and Nutrition for Amateur Wrestling is essential reading for amateur wrestlers and their coaches with a desire to learn about physiological training and nutrition for their sport. Written by Charles Paul Lambert, PhD, a competitive wrestler and academic expert in high-intensity exercise, this book describes the primary physiological systems involved in amateur wrestling. Readers will learn how to substantially optimize performance and discover ways to improve body composition specific to the sport of amateur wrestling. The book addresses important issues, including relative energy deficiency in sport, debates around weight loss, the specificities of training and nutrition for female wrestlers, as well as strategies on keeping fit in the years after a competitive career. Features: Discusses strategies for monitoring overall training load to prevent overtraining and optimize training Includes optimal nutritional fueling plans for wrestlers written by a Certified Coach with USA Wrestling and compares different dietary approaches to losing weight and fat Provides optimal rehydration and refueling plans based on situational needs in the post-weigh-in period Both scientific and practical, Physiology and Nutrition for Amateur Wrestling will appeal to wrestlers, high-school and college coaches, and those working in applied physiology research and exercise science.

Shaolin Monastery at Mount Song is considered the epicentre of the Chan school of Buddhism. It is also well known for its martial arts tradition and has long been regarded as a special cultural heritage site and an important symbol of the Chinese nation. This book is the first scholarly work in English to comprehensively examine the full history of Shaolin Monastery from 496 to 2016. More importantly, it offers a clear grasp of the origins and development of Chan Buddhism through an examination of Shaolin, and highlights the role of Shaolin and Shaolin kung fu in the construction of a national identity among the Chinese people in the past two centuries.

"Granville Ampong has opened a new frontier in "sportswriting." His unique style, backed up by his passion to be good and yet different, separates him from the pack." Ed de la Vega, DDS --Graduate of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry; Restorative, Cosmetic and Sports Dentist. Part-time boxing writer & photo-journalist; Multi-state licensed boxing & MMA cut-man and maker of custom-designed World Mouthguards "Granville Ampong is like a baseball umpire who calls them as he uniquely sees them. If the pitch is down the middle, this writer calls it a strike. If it is high and wide, off the mark, he says so in plain language. Ampong admires the Great Man Pacquiao, yes, but he is no idol worshipper. If you want fluff and rump-kissing, look elsewhere. Ampong serves up his views and observations straight, no chaser. He is always a good, informative read." --- Michael Marley, Esq. from the Law Offices of Michael Marley in New York "Granville Ampong brings an honesty in his writings on Manny Pacquiao, conqueror of the American heartlands. The author has always seen the Filipino hero with a clarity which says as much about the writer, as it does the fighter. It is a chapter in history which in later years will be remembered as ground-breaking. These essays will form a part of that history." --- Gareth A Davies, The Telegraph, London "Granville Ampong's passion and dedication to the sport of boxing are easily recognized in the tone of his work. While the true journalism and pure objectivism that he demonstrates invite both acclaim and criticism, he continues to report the truth, and only the truth, exactly as he sees it." ---Lorne Scoggins, Fort Smith Boxing Examiner and Associate Pastor of Christian Lighthouse Church in Springdale, Arkansas C.S. Granville, also known as Countryman Simeon Granville, was born Simeon Granville Tolo Hayag Vergara Ampong. He is also the book author of "May Your Name Be Sealed" and "Yahweh, the Faithful One," both will be in the circulation soon. A credentialed journalist and a syndicated political columnist in the U. S., he is noted among boxing aficionados, fans and political thinkers for his challenging insights. He writes for The Western Center for Journalism in the U.S. He has also been an active contributor of Examiner.com and other media outlets. Dozens of his best articles are jam-packed with meat and best regarded as reliable sources for broadcast information and for several broadsheets and internet publications. He won first place in the International Speech Contest in 2000 which was held at the Ron Hubbard Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.

This title offers a thorough guide to the weapon forms in Wing Chun kung fu. It gives a clear, concise explanation of the shape, structure and movements of each form, as well as their appropiate applications.

The Science of Judo is the first book to set out and discuss the science, coaching and history behind judo performance. Evidence-based and informed by the latest research, the book offers practical guidance on preparing athletes for high performance and understanding the core tenets of sport science underpinning it. Featuring contributions from world-leading experts, the book consists of chapters on all aspects of judo performance, including: The historical development of judo and its physical, intellectual and moral role Physical preparation for competition, coaching and training strategies Skill acquisition, talent identification and development Nutrition and lifestyle of judoka Performance analysis and biomechanics Injury epidemiology and prevention Special considerations for female and young judoka Clearly written and accessible, The Science of Judo provides upper-level students and researchers, and coaches and sport science staff working with judoka, with the most thorough and authoritative reference on sport science applied to judo currently available.

Chinese martial arts have a long, meaningful history and deep cultural roots. They blend the physical components of combat with strategy, philosophy and tradition, distinguishing them from Western sports. A History of Chinese Martial Arts is the most authoritative study ever written on this topic, featuring contributions from leading Chinese scholars and practitioners. The book provides a comprehensive overview of all types of Chinese martial arts, from the Pre-Qin Period (before 222 BC) right up to the present day in the People's Republic of China, with each chapter covering a different period in Chinese history. Including numerous illustrations of artefacts, weaponry and historical drawings and documents, this book offers unparalleled insight into the origins, development and contemporary significance of martial arts in China. This is a fascinating read for researchers and students working in sports history, Chinese sport and Chinese Studies.

A.J. Liebling's classic New Yorker pieces on the "sweet science of bruising" bring vividly to life the boxing world as it once was. The Sweet Science depicts the great events of boxing's American heyday: Sugar Ray Robinson's dramatic comeback, Rocky Marciano's rise to prominence, Joe Louis's unfortunate decline. Liebling never fails to find the human story behind the fight, and he evokes the atmosphere in the arena as distinctly as he does the goings-on in the ring--a combination that prompted Sports Illustrated to name The Sweet Science the best American sports book of all time.

Knife / Counter-Knife Combatives by W. Hock Hochheim describes offensive and defensive knife fighting tactics in all ranges of combat including standing, sitting and on the ground. This is a complete survival tactical manual for all aspects of knife combat. W. Hock Hochheim is known worldwide as an authority on knife fighting tactics and strategies. He's the author of more than a dozen books and more than 200 dvds on a broad range of self-defense subjects. He teaches military, police and citizens in 9 countries annually.

At the intersection of sport, entertainment and performance, wrestling occupies a unique position in British popular culture. This is the first book to offer a detailed historical and cultural analysis of British professional wrestling, exploring the shifting popularity of the sport as well as its wider social significance. Arguing that the history of professional wrestling can help us understand key themes in sport, culture and performance that span the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, it addresses topics such as: attitudes towards violence, representations of masculinity, the media and celebrity culture, consumerism and globalisation. By drawing on a variety of intellectual traditions and disciplines, the book explores the role of power in the development of popular cultural forms, the ways in which history structures the present, and the manner in which audiences construct identity and meaning through sport. Wrestling in Britain: Sporting Entertainments, Celebrity and Audiences is fascinating reading for all students and researchers with an interest in media and cultural studies, histories and sociologies of sport, or performance studies.

Krav Maga is a modern and proven self-defence system. Easy to learn because it is based on natural reflexes, it is extremely efficient to use against one or more attackers. There is only one goal: to survive violent conflicts as unscathed as possible. Developed by the Israeli army and formerly an insider tip in military training, this close combat system is booming worldwide. Krav Maga is not a traditional or competitive martial art but pure self-defence. It's all about survival. Its techniques are constantly developed and adapted to current threat situations. In his book Krav Maga: Effective Techniques for Self-Defense, his second on this self-defence method, the author methodically explains more than 100 Krav Maga techniques for self-defence-including more than 300 detailed photos-by using the principles that make this system so successful. It includes information on both well-founded basics as well as advanced techniques, depending on the distance to the attacker. The effective techniques for self-defence in this book help to demonstrate what Krav Maga is all about, gives exercise tips for more successful and safe execution, and provides information to help the reader further develop the learned techniques, making this the official book about Krav Maga training.