An unprecedented voyage into the world of Peru' s indigenous warrior culture, Rumi Maki offers a fascinating look at this exotic martial art as preserved by a practicing master. The book begins win an in-depth look at the history of the sacred Incan fighting arts, dispelling many of the myths surrounding them. The authors then present a detailed look at Rumi Maki' s five-level structure, with step-by-step instructions and demonstrations of the techniques from each level. The Incas' unique approach to physical and mental conditioning, philosophy, spirituality, weaponry, and military structure are also presented for the first time. Hundreds of photographs and illustrations help further document the Incas' martial legacy. Of great interest to all martial arts enthusiasts, the book' s absorbing description of early Peruvian civilization attracts readers interested in the cultural and spiritual history of the Andean people.

For so many around the world, it was in the cinema that they saw their first glimpse of martial arts. Through the films of Lau Kar Leung, among others, they came to appreciate the power and skill of many kung fu techniques. However devotees and practitioners of kung fu and Hung Kuen were aware of the much longer tradition of these arts and in particular, the contribution of both the Lam family and the Lau family. In 2009 the Hong Kong Government endeavoured to identify and recognize forms of intangible cultural heritage. It was this awareness of a vibrant part of Hong Kong history and culture which led to the creation of the Hong Kong Martial Arts Living Archive, and from this the exhibition, Lingnan Hung Kuen Across the Century: Kung Fu Narratives in Hong Kong Cinema and Community. In the exhibition and this companion book, the histories of the Lam and Lau families are traced, and their role in preserving and creating new stances and forms and bringing Hung Kuen to a wider audience through the medium of film. Using the latest technologies including 3D imagery, the work of past masters has been here brought back to life.

Theodore 'Tiger' Flowers rose above the racist bigotry of the Deep South to become the first African-American middleweight champion of the world. To do it, this Christian family man beat a boxing legend, Harry Greb, in the first of the great sporting cathedrals, Madison Square Garden. It was a victory that stunned the sporting world and made him a household name. Yet within a year he had lost his championship on a decision some said was influenced by Al Capone - and within another year was dead, following a seemingly innocuous operation, in the clinic of a controversial surgeon, to remove lumps and scars above his eyes. Was his death, at the age of 34, an accident, a result of negligence, or something more sinister? And what was behind his white manager's attempt to throw Tiger's widow into an asylum and their daughter into an orphanage? Flowers' inspiring, harrowing story, set against an horrific backdrop of lynchings and routine prejudice, is largely forgotten now but he paved the way for black sporting heroes like Joe Louis, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson.

This inspirational book is Pat Roach's final goodbye to the world, before his tragic death. The 'Gentle Giant' battled with cancer for six-and-a-half years, before it eventually claimed him, in the small hours of Saturday 17 July, 2004. His confidante and biographer, Shirley Thompson, has combined Pat's final experiences and thoughts, with over seventy tributes from close family and friends, to produce a fascinating book. Pat's widow, Doreen, step-brother Pete Meakin, and a host of celebrities, including Kevin Whately, Chris Fairbank, Julia Tobin, Noel Clarke, Jimmy Nail and Timothy Spall, all feature prominently. Tim Healy, who was a particularly close friend, has written an entire chapter, scriptwriters Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais provide an insightful Foreword. Pat's wish that this last book should convey a message of hope to fellow cancer patients, whilst also providing a measure of funding for the Cancer BACUP charity, will be realised, as the book is launched. His courage, combined with the warmth and affection that he frequently inspired in others, shines throughout. But be prepared for a few unexpected surprises, including a chapter that could only be published posthumously! Two galleries, containing over a hundred unique photographs, provide the crowning glory to this truly memorable book...the third and final biography in the "Pat Roach Trilogy."

"In this collection of artful writing by a man dedicated to honest self-expression, we glimpse the private side of Bruce's eloquence as he bares his soul through the art of letter writing." --from the Preface, by Linda Lee Cadwell Bruce Lee Letters of the Dragon is a fascinating glimpse of the private Bruce Lee behind the public image--a man with the patience and concern to dedicate as much effort to crafting a thoughtful personal answer to the letter of a young fan as to those from his old friends and associates; an extremely active man never too busy to make time for an old family friend in need of simple companionship; a man who never wrote without careful thought, and never thought from the head alone, but always from the head and heart together. The letters in this inspiring book trace Bruce Lee's career and development from his decision--made while he was still in secondary school--to move to the U.S. to further his education. Readers will journey with him through the many setbacks, rededicated efforts and triumphs of life that shaped his martial art and humanity, all the way to the last letter he ever composed, just hours before his sudden death. After absorbing the letters in this volume, readers will inevitably find that the private Bruce Lee was every bit as great as the public Bruce Lee. This Bruce Lee Book is part of the Bruce Lee Library which also features: Bruce Lee: Striking Thoughts Bruce Lee: The Celebrated Life of the Golden Dragon Bruce Lee: The Tao of Gung Fu Bruce Lee: Artist of Life Bruce Lee: The Art of Expressing the Human Body Bruce Lee: Jeet Kune Do

Lenny McLean - an infamous name, but forever a legend. He is arguably one of the most notorious and feared prize-fighters England has ever produced. Not only was he a mountain of a man and a true fighter, feared on the streets of gangland London and outside the clubs whose doors he manned in the heart of the capital, he was also an old-school East Ender, who took pride in operating on a gentleman's code despite the often-dangerous world he lived in. His life was cut all-too-short, just as it was taking a new, previously unimaginable direction after his role in Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels but he remains loved by those who knew him. The Guv'nor Revealed uncovers parts of Lenny McLean's life not previously explored, with shared memories from his close friends, family and various other acquaintances who crossed his path one way or another during his lifetime. Lenny McLean was one of a kind; infamous for his brute strength but also loved for his protective heart. Collated from years of interviews, Lee Wortley and Anthony Thomas bring you an array of thrilling, and often touching and amusing, testimonies from those closest to him and a new insight into the life of The Guv'nor.

Martial Arts expert Antony Cummins reveals the hitherto hidden world of Viking hand-to-hand combat, employing the sword, the spear, the axe and the shield. Based upon a careful analysis of the Norse Sagas, the techniques described are recreated precisely, from knocking down a spear in mid-flight to the shield cleave. Illustrated with over 250 images, The Illustrated Guide to Viking Martial Arts in effect represents the earliest combat manual in the world. This insight into the warriors who were the scourge of Dark Age Europe is a feat of textual interpretation - and imagination.

* Follows the author's apprenticeships with masterful teachers, out-of-body experiences, meditation retreats in Asia, martial arts in Japan, facing his trauma at the hands of his father, and his struggles to become emotionally literate * Offers interpretations of his experiences poised as questions, reflections, and inquiries, inviting the reader to participate in what opened for the author on his quest for self-realization, including successes, failures, struggles, and enigmas Sharing profound stories, transformative incidents, and provocative situations from across his more than 7 decades of life, founding elder of the Somatics movement Richard Strozzi-Heckler explores the moments of insight and awakening that have been pivotal in forming his unique perspectives within the fields of embodiment, meditation, aikido, and leadership. Beginning with an early experience with death that revealed the universal principle of impermanence, the author takes us on a rich, textured journey into the inquiry of what it means to embody the mystery of Spirit. As we follow him through apprenticeships with masterful teachers, out-of-body experiences, meditation retreats in Asia, martial arts in Japan, facing his trauma at the hands of his father, and his struggles to become emotionally literate, we're also taken on a path of learning, healing, and transformation. For each story, the author offers interpretations of his experiences poised as questions, reflections, and inquiries. In this way we are invited to participate on his quest for self-realization, including successes, failures, struggles, and enigmas. A deeply personal and intimate portrayal of a life's journey through a somatic wisdom, this insightful memoir depicts the immeasurable wealth that teachers, practices, vulnerability, and community can offer the sincere seeker on an embodied spiritual path.

Master the wooden weapons used in Aikido with this comprehensive martial arts training manual. Although aikido is often thought of as a nonviolent, noncompetitive martial art, the use of weapons was introduced by the art's founder O'Sensei Morihei Ueshiba. In fact, aikido techniques that use wooden weapons can enrich all aspects of your practice, helping you to understand both basic and advanced aikido technical tactics as well as conceptual strategies and skills. Building on the authors' belief that no empty-hand system is complete without weapons training, Aikido Weapons Techniques: The Wooden Sword, Stick, and Knife of Aikido demonstrates weapon use both as a training tool to better illustrate aikido principles, and as a self-defense against weapon attacks. It focuses on the three primary weapons used in aikido: Ken--the wooden sword Jo--the wooden staff Tanto--the wooden knife A complete discussion of each armament is included, with descriptions of the stances, grips, techniques, forms, defenses, and training appropriate for each. With over 200 step-by-step photographs and detailed instructions, this aikido book provides an in-depth exploration of weapons use in aikido--from its spiritual implications to technical theory and practical application.

Bushido: A Complete History of British Jujutsu reveals the untold stories behind the UK's martial arts. Jujutsu was brought to the UK in the 1890s, the era of Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. It was adapted by men like EW Barton-Wright for the paranoid streets of London and the violent docks of Liverpool. It was then utilised by men who served in the trenches of the First World War and by the women who defended themselves in the Suffragette movement like Edith Garrud. After the Second World War British Jujutsu was pioneered by ex servicemen like Gerry Skyner, Jim Blundell and Vernon Bell. Bushido: A Complete History of British Jujutsu traces the lineages of Jujutsu's pioneers to the Samurai schools that their teachings came from. It traces right through to the present day governing bodies and the era of mixed martial arts. Historian Simon Keegan, author of the best-selling Karate Jutsu publishes contemporary records, photographs and cuttings that have never been published before.

With detailed photographs and clear instruction for practice, this is the first book comprehensively to cover the history, development and training methods of this rarely taught esoteric internal martial art. The deceptively simple postures and movements of Yiquan are highly effective for achieving results for both health and combat, making it very appealing to martial artists, and Master Tang here reveals the secrets of a martial art still surrounded in mystery. He also provides a history of the origins and lineage of the Yiquan tradition, as well as detailed information on the stances and movements, weapons, and programs, grading and teaching. This complete guide to Yiquan will be essential for anyone interested in Yiquan or oriental martial and internal arts more generally.

Standing qigong is a simple, effective form of exercise suitable for all ages that can increase health, balance and vitality. This complete and accessible guide introduces standing qigong for health and martial arts. Beginning with an introduction describing his own discovery of the practice and an exploration of the health benefits, the author provides detailed instruction on the basic health postures and the process for diaphragmatic breathing. The second part of the book focuses on the martial postures and provides guidance on the subtle variations of the movements that help to cultivate and strengthen healing and internal power. Practice sequences are also included to help readers get started immediately, including, in the third part of the book, the Xing Yi Five Element linking form. Easy-to-follow, and covering all the basics, this guide to standing qigong is perfect for anyone who is looking for ways to improve their health, or with an interest in the internal or martial arts, especially practitioners of Taiji, Qigong, XinYi, Bagua,YiQuan and yoga.

Miyamoto Musashi, who lived in Japan in the fifteenth century, was a renowned samurai warrior. He has become a martial arts icon, known not just as an undefeated dueler, but also as a master of battlefield strategy. Kenji Tokitsu turns a critical eye on Musashi's life and writings, separating fact from fiction, and giving a clear picture of the man behind the myth. Musashi's best-known work, "The Book of Five Rings," provides timeless insight into the nature of conflict. Tokitsu translates and provides extensive commentary on that popular work, as well as three other short texts on strategy that were written before it, and a longer, later work entitled "The Way to Be Followed Alone." Tokitsu is a thoughtful and informed guide, putting the historical and philosophical aspects of the text into context, and illuminating the etymological nuances of particular Japanese words and phrases. As a modern martial artist and a scholar, Tokitsu provides a view of Musashi's life and ideas that is accessible and relevant to today's readers and martial arts students.