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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Combat sports & self-defence
T'ai Chi For Dummies gives you insight into the 5,000 year old practice of Tai Chi. This friendly guide explains the mental and physical benefits that you can enjoy through the practice of Tai Chi fitness routines, and it's filled with illustrations and step-by-step instructions on the 24 movements in Tai Chi. Plus, it covers the 5 families of Tai Chi, as well as Qigong and Pushing Hands.
Rocky Graziano, juvenile delinquent, middleweight boxing champion,
and comedic actor, was the last great fighter from the golden age
of boxing, the era of Joe Louis, Jake LaMotta, and Sugar Ray
Robinson. In Rocky Graziano: Fists, Fame, and Fortune, Jeffrey
Sussman tells the rags-to-riches story of Tommy Rocco Barbella, who
came to be known as Rocky Graziano. Raised by an abusive father,
Graziano took to the streets and soon found himself in
reformatories and prison cells. Drafted into the U.S. Army,
Graziano went AWOL but was eventually caught, tried, and sent to
prison for a year. After his release, Rocky went on to have one
successful boxing match after another and quickly ascended up the
pyramid of professional boxing. In one of the bloodiest battles in
the history of the middleweight division, Rocky beat Tony Zale and
became the middleweight champion of the world. Rocky retired from
boxing after he lost his crown to Sugar Ray Robinson and went on to
have a successful acting career in two acclaimed television series.
Rich and famous, he was no longer the angry young man he once was.
In his post-boxing life, Rocky became known for his good humor,
witty remarks, and kindness and generosity to those in need. Rocky
Graziano's life is not only inspiring, it is also a story of
redemption, of how boxing became the vehicle for saving a young man
from a life of anger and crime and leading him into a life of
happiness and honesty. The first biography of Graziano in over 60
years, this book will bring his story to a new generation of boxing
fans and sports historians.
Winner - 2009 Eric Hoffer AwardFinalist - 2009 IP'S Highlighted
Title AwardFinalist - 2008 Book of the Year Award by ForeWord
MagazineFinalist - 2008 USA Best Book Award Tai Chi Dynamics is
intended for intermediate and advanced tai chi students.The author
Robert Chuckrow, PhD, is a tai chi practitioner of more than forty
years and holds a Ph.D. in experimental physics. He applies logic
and basic scientific principles* Anatomy* Physiology* Physics In
order to create a deeper understand of * Muscular action*
Breathing* Alignment in tai chi movement and push-hands He
clarifies, in depth, many perplexing concepts such as correct
force" by utilizing detailed explanations, illustrations, and
photographs. * Sayings from the tai chi classics are quoted
throughout, and exercises are provided to give readers a chance to
confirm their understanding.* Over a dozen self-defense
applications of the basic Taiji movements are illustrated* The
effectiveness and completeness of Taiji as a martial art today is
candidly analyzed. * A chapter on Zheng Manqing (Cheng Man-ch'ing)
sheds light on Zheng and his students. One chapter deals
extensively with aspects of self development from a personal
perspective, discusses how doing Taiji correctly is a precursor to
spiritual growth, and compares religion, science, and spiritual
teachings. A detailed chapter on health, self-massage, and healing
discusses fasting (including the author's own experience with a
twenty-eight-day fast), differences between Traditional Chinese
Medicine and Western Medicine, and provides exercises and methods
of self-massage for head, legs, feet, and back. There is even a
section on how to make your own footwear suitable for practicing
Taiji. The book includes personal anecdotes and stories and has
over one hundred photographs and illustrations drawn by the author.
The Essential Karate Book is an informative, illustrated guide to
the techniques, philosophy and practice of karate. With 20 chapters
covering practically every aspect of karate, this in-depth
reference will assist students and instructors as they plot their
course through karate instruction, benefiting those at all levels.
The Essential Karate Book contains 200 diagrams mapping out moves
with 300 step-by-step photographs and companion videos, making it a
comprehensive general karate reference for Western audiences.
Readers of this karate guide will learn about: Stances, blocks,
strikes and kicks Preparing your body through warm-ups, stretching,
and conditioning through karate-specific exercises Kata grading and
fighting (kumite) techniques and competition rules Martial arts
weapons (kobudo), and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) applications The
origins and history of karate Required behavior, clothing and
etiquette, as well as the fundamentals of karate and the different
styles that share them The Essential Karate Book is a must-have for
any martial arts enthusiast, from beginners to black belts!
**New edition updated with a foreword by Manny Pacquiao.** A
celebration and memorial of the greatest era of heavyweight
fighters from 1962 to 1997, as witnessed ringside by an
International Boxing Hall of Fame sportswriter. Once upon a time,
of all the memories made in ballparks and arenas from California to
New York, there was nothing to rival that magic moment that could
grab a heavyweight fight crowd by its collective jugular vein and
trigger a tsunami of raw emotion before a single punch had even
been thrown. That's the way it was when the heavyweight giants
danced in the boxing ring during the golden eras of the greats Ali,
Frazier, Holmes, and Spinks, to name a few. There will never again
be a heavyweight cycle like the one that began when Sonny Liston
stopped Floyd Patterson and ended when Mike Tyson bit a slice out
of Evander Holyfield's ear; when no ersatz drama, smoke, mirrors,
and noise followed a fighter's entry into the ring; when the crowds
knew that these men were not actors on a stage but rather giants in
a ring with a single purpose-to fight other giants. By the
ringside, acclaimed sportswriter Jerry Izenberg watched history as
it was being made during those legendary days, witnessing fights
like the Thrilla in Manila and the Rumble in the Jungle and
preserving them in punchy yet tremendous prose. Delivering both his
eyewitness accounts and revelatory back stories of this greatest
era of heavyweight boxing, Izenberg invites readers to a place of
recollection. Once There Were Giants is his memorial to this
extraordinary time, the likes of which we shall never see again.
Don't get overwhelmed in your search for the right Martial Arts
school.
Go straight to the Master.
There is no shortage of information out there about Martial Arts
and the various styles. It's easy to get confused. But now, Martial
Arts Unlocked separates the hype from the facts. It provides you
with the best tools to choose the ideal Martial Arts program for
your family. Master Joseph Ash, a martial artist and school owner
with over 32 years of experience, breaks down the major types of
Martial Arts schools. He gives an insider's look at how the Martial
Arts business works and provides a punch list of "musts" for a high
quality program. Written from the heart of a father, the spirit of
a martial artist, and the mind of a business owner, Master Ash
gives you a clear understanding of how to research, interview and
select the best source of Martial Arts education for your family.
""Finding the right Martial Arts school is like finding another
family. In today's fast paced world, we need an extra set of eyes
on our kids, new outlooks for our future and a safe place where the
whole family can reconnect in a quality activity. A professional
Martial Arts school is the ideal support system that today's
families desperately need.""
Have a question or would you like to learn more, contact Master
Joseph B. Ash: martialartsunlocked.com
Join his blog at: martialartsunlocked.com/blog
The millions of fans who watch World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
programs each year are well aware of their role in building the
narrative of the sport. #WWE: Professional Wrestling in the Digital
Age explores the intersections between media, technology, and
fandom in WWE's contemporary programming and business practices. In
the Reality Era of WWE (2011 to the present), wrestling narratives
have increasingly drawn on real-life personalities and events that
stretch beyond the story-world created and maintained by WWE. At
the same time, the internet and fandom have a greater influence on
the company than ever before. By examining various sites of
struggle and negotiation between WWE executives and in-ring
performers, between the product and its fans, and between the
company and the rest of the wrestling industry, the contributors to
this volume highlight the role of various media platforms in
shaping and disseminating WWE narratives. Treating the company and
its product not merely as sports entertainment, but also as a
brand, an employer, a company, a content producer, and an object of
fandom, #WWE conceptualizes the evolution of professional
wrestling's most successful company in the digital era.
This classic interpretation of Miyamoto Musashi's famous Book of
Five Rings is explicitly intended for the martial artist--as
Miyamoto Musashi originally intended. It explains the underlying
truths necessary for a full understanding of Musashi's message for
warriors. The result is an enthralling book on military strategy
that combines the instincts of the warrior with the philosophies of
Zen Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism and Taoism. It is a crucial
book for every martial artist to read and understand. Like the
original, this classic book of strategy is divided into five
sections. The Book of Earth lays the groundwork for anyone wishing
to understand Musashi's teachings; the Book of Water explains the
warrior's approach to strategy; the Book of Fire teaches
fundamental fighting techniques based on the Earth and Water
principles; the Book of Wind describes differences between
Musashi's own martial style and the styles of other fighting
schools; while the Book of No-thing describes the "way of nature"
as understood through an "unthinking" existing preconception. Famed
martial artist and bestselling author Stephen Kaufman has
translated this classic without the usual academic or commercial
bias, driving straight into the heart of Musashi's martial
teachings and interpreting them for his fellow martial artists. The
result is an enthralling combination of warrior wisdom and
philosophical truths that Musashi offered to other warriors who
wished to master the martial way of bushido.
Discover gripping true crime stories and the surprising tools you
need to keep you and your family safe -- from iconic legal
commentator, TV journalist, and New York Times bestselling author
Nancy Grace. Nancy Grace wasn't always the iconic legal commentator
we know today. One moment changed her entire future forever: her
fiance Keith was murdered just before their wedding. Driven to
deliver justice for other crime victims, Nancy became a felony
prosecutor and for a decade, put the "bad guys" behind bars in
inner-city Atlanta. Now, with a new and potentially life-saving
book, Nancy puts her crime-fighting expertise to work to empower
you stay safe in the face of daily dangers. Packed with practical
advice and invaluable prevention tips, Don't Be a Victim shows you
how to: * Fend off threats of assaults, car-jack and home invasion
* Defend yourself against online stalking, computer hackers and
financial fraudsters * Stay safe in your own home, at school and
other public settings like parking garages, elevators and campsites
* Protect yourself while shopping, driving and even on vacation
With insights on so many potential threats, you'll be empowered to
protect yourself and your children at home and in the world at
large by being proactive! Nancy's crime-fighting expertise helps
keep you, your family, and those you love out of harm's way.
Master the art of Kendo--Japanese Swordsmanship with this
illustrated and comprehensive martial arts guide. Kendo or the "Way
of the Sword" holds a special place within the martial arts as one
of the few practices tracing back directly to Japan's ancient
samurai heritage. Modern students flock to kendo for
physically--and mentally--challenging activity that combines
traditional martial arts values with strenuous physical activity.
Author Geoff Salmon has over 40 years of kendo experience gained in
and outside of Japan. His goal in this kendo guide is to dispel
many misconceptions about the sport and to make kendo training
accessible and practical for anyone. His simple, straightforward
writing style is especially helpful for beginning students and
martial artists from other disciplines who wish to add kendo
training to their repertoire. The core of this kendo book is a
series of detailed instructional sequences demonstrating the basic
kendo techniques. The author also presents the fundamental
principles and philosophy that make kendo as much an exercise of
the mind as of the sword. For many adherents, the goal is to train
your mind to achieve a state of mushin (no-mind). Beyond that, this
book also shows you how to win competitions and integrate kendo
into your fitness routines. This is the first book to decidedly
link the philosophical and mental elements of kendo to the physical
techniques, thereby enabling readers to gain a holistic
understanding of the martial art. It offers a comprehensive
training program similar to those given by leading kendo teachers
in Japan, past and present.
Here, for the first time, is an in-depth, factual look at the
entire art of ninjutsu, including the emergence of the ninja
warriors and philosophy in feudal Japan; detailed historical
events; its context in the development of other schools of martial
arts; and the philosophies and exercises of the school today. Based
on more than ten years of study and translation of authentic
Japanese texts, including many that have never before been
translated, this is the most comprehensive and accurate study of
the art of ninjutsu ever written outside of Japan. This ninja book
includes studies of ninjutsu history, philosophy, wisdom, and
presents a wide range of information from authors, historians,
chronicles and scrolls in order to foster a deep understanding of
this "shadowy" art. For those who train in ninjutsu, for other
martial art practitioners, for historians, and for anyone with an
interest in Japanese feudal history or Japanese martial arts, The
Ninja: The Secret History of Ninjutsu shines a light on this
enigmatic subject.
With the exciting sport of fencing steadily becoming more
mainstream in the UK, US and around the world, parents are spending
thousands each year to help and encourage their children to train
and excel in this unique Olympic sport. Fencing can be a mysterious
world to the uninitiated, and parents and young fencers will have
many questions about the sport, the fencer's potential and the dos
and don'ts. From Last to First aims to answer all these questions
and many more. Written by a team comprising Jon Salfield, a leading
Youth Development and High Performance coach (London Olympics
2012), and Daniela I. Norris, an experienced author and
fencing-parent of an international youth fencer, with input from
Strength and Conditioning and Psychology experts, and a foreword
from a multiple champion and highly-regarded author, it is meant
for anyone who wants to know how to support their young fencer from
the start of their fencing adventure, all the way through to
success at international competitions.
This second collection of the author's 24 exclusive interviews with
boxing insiders features some of the most influential personalities
in ring history, including former heavyweight champions Lennox
Lewis and Evander Holyfield and promoters Don King and Kathy Duva.
Other interviewees include trainers Ronnie Shields and Virgil
Hunter, former HBO blow-by-blow announcer Jim Lampley, and judge
Duane Ford, along with some names perhaps unfamiliar to many of the
boxing public who work as driving forces behind the sport.
A comprehensive guide to Shaolin Lohan Kung Fu from both ancient
and contemporary masters. With a new foreword by historian and
martial artist Alexander Bennett, Shaolin Kung Fu details the
oldest form of this ancient Chinese martial art. Shaolin Kung Fu is
prized for its elegant style, effectiveness as a fighting system
and as an exercise that benefits both body and mind. Authors Donn
F. Draeger and P'ng Chye Khim, both master martial artists and
Shaolin experts, focus on the Lohan technique--believed to have
developed from a form devised at the legendary Shaolin Temple some
1,500 years ago. This comprehensive book offers a practical
introduction, including: The history and fundamentals of Shaolin
Kung Fu The fundamentals of Shaolin A complete description of the
Lohan technique and how to master it Detailed Shaolin training
methods, including the use of weapons Weapons used in Shaolin This
book is intended as a supplement to a dedicated training program
and includes detailed instructions explaining both the solo and
partner practice forms. Accompanied by over 400 photos and
sketches, this excellent introduction to the Lohan form is a
must-have for every serious student of Shaolin and Kung Fu. Shaolin
Kung Fu was intended to provide Buddhist monks in ancient China
with an art that would not only act as an intense conditioning
tool, but also arm them with a formidable system of self defense.
Though the context for these skills has changed, modern readers can
benefit from this method in much the same way as its original
students.
Honorable Mention - 2014 Eric Hoffer Award This book offers
beginner a smart way to learn qigong (chi kung), the ancient
Chinese system of gentle breathing, stretching, and strengthening
movements. You will use the Eight Pieces of Brocade, one of the
most popular qigong healing exercise sets, to improve your overall
health and well-being. Commonly known in China as the Ba Duan Jin,
these exercises have been practiced for over 1,000 years. Choose
the sitting set, the standing set, or both. Learn how to activate
the qi energy and blood circulation in your body, helping to
stimulate your immune system, strengthen your internal organs, and
give you abundant energy. *Clear photographs show you correct
postures*Concise instructions tell you what to do*Details inform
you how the movements help*Qigong theory explains why the exercises
work*Translations of ancient Chinese poetry provide key concepts to
help you improve your practice No matter your age or your physical
condition, the Eight Pieces of Brocade is a wonderful way to
improve your health and well-being.
At nearly six and a half feet tall and 300 pounds, heavyweight
champion Primo Carnera was a giant for his times, but today ""the
Ambling Alp"" is too often written off as an unskilled oaf and a
product of the mob dealings that plagued boxing during the 1930s.
He may not have been a natural in the ring, but he worked as hard
as any boxer to learn his craft, to be in top condition, and he
repeatedly showed that he was tougher than nails. This biography
details Carnera's early life and boxing career, his success as a
fighter as well as accusations of fight fixing, his strengths and
limitations in the ring, and his later career as a wrestler.
The King is dead. The Walrus is shot. The Greatest is no more.
Elvis Presley, John Lennon, and Muhammad Ali. These three icons
changed not only the worlds of music, film, and sports, but the
world itself. Their faces were known everywhere, in every nation,
across every culture. And their stories became larger than life -
until their lives spun out of control at the hands of those they
most trusted. In Killing the Legends, Bill O'Reilly and Martin
Dugard explore the lives, legacies, and tragic deaths of three of
the most famous people of the 20th century. Each experienced
immense success, then failures that forced them to change; each
faced the challenge of growing old in fields that privilege youth;
and finally, each became isolated, cocooned by wealth but
vulnerable to the demands of those in their innermost circles.
Dramatic, insightful, and immensely entertaining, Killing the
Legends is the twelfth book in O'Reilly and Dugard's Killing
series: the most popular series of narrative history books in the
world, with more than 18 million copies in print.
Camillo Palladini's manuscript for his discourse on fencing is
housed in the De Walden Library at the Wallace Collection in
London. Previously unpublished and largely unknown, it is of
central importance to a modern understanding of Italian rapier play
in the sixteenth century. This stunning book, a joint endeavour
between the Royal Armouries and the Wallace Collection, reproduces
the forty-six red chalk illustrations in the manuscript--only three
of which have ever been seen in print--together with a
transcription and translation of the original Italian text. Perfect
for students of fencing, lovers of Italian art, sixteenth-century
researchers, and historical reenactors and interpreters, The Art of
Fencing: The Forgotten Discourse of Camillo Palladini showcases a
striking example of Renaissance swordsmanship.
This book, written in a style easily comprehended by a child and
containing motivating illustrations, was written with the youngest
of athletes in mind. By inviting kids to complete individual tasks,
to solve puzzles, to answer questions and to complete drawings, the
book achieves the feel of an activity book. The little cartoon
character "Foily" accompanies the reader throughout the book, as he
offers tips and invites the child to practice independently. The
contents correspond to the most basic level of fencing training. It
is intended as a teaching tool for fencing instructors and
trainers, to help promote understanding of the sport of fencing for
fencing students, and to improve independence in training. For the
parents of fencing children it is an important motivational
companion to fencing instruction.
The Techniques and Knowledge Needed to Excel in the Sport of Boxing
The illustrations, explanations, and techniques presented in Boxing
Basics provide everything needed to excel in the sport of boxing.
Easy to follow explanations and illustrations introduce the reader
to the sport by providing information on training equipment, types
of boxing gyms, and how to get into fighting shape. The bulk of
this boxing text is devoted to providing progressive steps in the
learning of the sport of boxing. It begins by presenting the
primary elements of boxing and ranges to advanced skills. The
Instant Reference Guide is a special feature designed for busy
persons. It provides fast-track references to the important points
in every chapter. This publication can be used as a how-to
reference guide for trainers as well as beginners.
"Some books just show you how to box, others just tell you. Still
others do a little of both. With Boxing Basics, Professor Gotay
becomes your personal trainer, teaching you step by step how to
box. This is the most definitive how to boxing book I have ever
seen."
- Randy Gordon, Former Editor-in-Chief of Ring Magazine;
Boxing Analyst for ESPN, USA Network, and the MSG Network;
and Chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission.
Presently the host of Fight Club, the popular Sirius Radio boxing
talk show.
Finalist - 2013 USA Best Books Award Grandmaster Kim Bok Man is one
of the most recognized authorities of taekwondo in the world. He
worked tirelessly with General Choi Hong Hi as a founder of
taekwondo curricula used today by the many international taekwondo
organizations. Originally published in 1979, this book provides
defense techniques taught to military, law enforcement officials,
and black belts.Beginners will have a chance to see the application
of their training in actual weapon defenses. Advanced students will
learn techniques and fundamental training that has been 'field'
tested since the inception of the art in the 1950s. Chapters
include: * History and the theory of power* Defense against
weapons: knife, baton, pole, sword, bayonet, and pistol* Sparring:
releases, grabs, throwing, falling, free-sparring* Patterns: Silla
pattern 1, Silla pattern 2, Silla knife pattern, and Silla pole
pattern* Training: stretching, calisthenics, action principles,
hand & foot techniques, using a heavy bag* Body parts for
attack & defense, stances, vital points for striking
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