From powerful blows to explosive kicks, "Delavier's Mixed Martial Arts Anatomy" takes you inside the action and impact of one of the world's most popular, grueling, and challenging sports.

Over 230 full-color photos and 120 anatomical illustrations allow you to go inside more than 120 exercises specifically selected for the neuromuscular demands of the sport. You'll see how muscles interact with surrounding joints and skeletal structures and how variations and sequencing can isolate specific muscles to enhance the full arsenal of combat skills.

"Delavier's Mixed Martial Arts Anatomy" features an anatomomorphological approach to allow you to choose the most effective exercises for your body type, physical conditioning, and fighting style. From boxing to ground fighting, you'll enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses with more than 20 proven programs.

Featuring the latest exercises for injury prevention and foam roller techniques for muscle regeneration, it's all here and all in the stunning detail that only Frederic Delavier can provide.

Pocket Tai Chi for Beginners is the perfect introduction to this popular exercise discipline--now in a handy, inexpensive format! This book presents the "Simplified Tai Chi" method created by China's Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports. Unlike traditional Tai Chi, which has over 80 complicated movement sequences or forms, Simplified Tai Chi has 24 short and easy-to-remember movement forms which provide all the health benefits but are far easier for ordinary people to learn and practice on a daily basis. This book provides everything you need--step-by-step instructions and over 160 clear and simple illustrations. Tai Chi is the fastest-growing martial art in the world today--due to its physical, mental and spiritual benefits--combining low-impact exercise, self-healing, meditation and a philosophy of life all in one. Benefits of Tai Chi include: Reducing falls by improving flexibility and balance Relieving joint pain Reducing stress and anxiety Lower blood pressure Strengthened core, legs and upper body Master Tri Thong Dang is one of America's most respected Tai Chi instructors who has trained many thousands of practitioners. His easy-to-follow method highlights the spiritual essence of Tai Chi and at the same time its graceful simplicity.

YOGA / EXERCISE"Biff Mithoefer has created the most useful written material available for exploring Yin Yoga. Much more than an asana book, The Yin Yoga Kit teaches energetic principles, mental disciplines, and patient mindfulness. I highly recommend it!" --PAUL GRILLEY, author of Yin Yoga: Outline of A Quiet Practice "Yoga and qigong are much more alike than they are different, causing many practitioners to say, 'Chinese yoga is Indian qigong.' The Yin Yoga Kit serves as a bridge between the two disciplines. It is like a mountain trail between China and India, probably through Tibet." --ROGER JAHNKE, O.M.D., director of the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, author of The Healer Within and The Healing Promise of Qi Yin Yoga is known as the quiet yoga. Many of the most popular forms of yoga are fundamentally yang in nature, based on rhythmic movements of the muscles and focused on the need for change and attainment. Yin Yoga, in contrast, concentrates on connective tissue and bones, the parts of our body that are closest to our core and critical to our physical well-being and range of motion. The postures are all practiced on the floor and each is held for a lengthy period, usually three to five minutes. This intense non-movement allows the muscles to relax and the deep connective tissue to be gently stretched, encouraging the free flow of energy throughout the body. Above all, Yin Yoga is a gentle practice that brings yoga back to its internal meditative roots, teaching us to relax and accept ourselves just as we are. In The Yin Yoga Kit, Biff Mithoefer presents 14 postures used in Yin Yoga and explains the benefits of each, including which meridians and chakras will be mostpositively affected. The full-color posture cards included illustrate the poses for those who are very flexible--and those who are not--and assist users in designing a personalized practice. The 75-minute CD contains a guided routine narrated by the author, with each pose presented on a separate track so listeners can rearrange them or shorten the routine as needed. BIFF MITHOEFER teaches Yin Yoga at Omega Institute, Nosara Institute in Costa Rica, and throughout the United States. He lives in Dorset, Vermont.

Aged 16, Rachel Krentzman was diagnosed with scoliosis. At 32 she suffered a herniated disk and was told she would have to modify her activities for the rest of her life - instead, Rachel is now a walking testimonial for how yoga can be used therapeutically to heal your back pain. An easy and straightforward read, this manual contains step by step illustrated instruction for you to address the physical and emotional factors of your scoliosis. The exercises are easy to follow and perform, and no technical knowledge or prior experience of yoga is required. Foundational anatomy is carefully explained so that you can understand your body and your scoliosis before applying the exercises. Exemplary case studies will help you on the path to alleviating your back pain without surgery.

How to use Yoga demystifies the art of yoga, making it accessible to everyone who would like to start to practice at home, safely and effectively. The first part, Towards Physical Well-Being, presents a selection of 41 postures and variants, which can be attempted by beginners of all ages. The following section, Towards Mental Peace, introduces simple techniques for breath awareness and control. The second part, A Ten-Week Course, presents a unique course for beginners of postures and preparatory breath control techniques, with a photographic catalogue for each week. The book also includes a section on postures helpful for common problems, such as headaches, stiffness, pain in the shoulders and backache.

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!

Yoga and meditation have a proven track record of lowering stress levels, helping to treat mental health issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, building community, and contributing to an overall sense of wellbeing in their practitioners. According to recent surveys, 1/4 of North American libraries have offered meditation programs and 2/3 have offered yoga classes. Carson, a professional yoga teacher and library director, has been leading yoga and meditation programs in schools and libraries for over a decade, and she presents this guidebook to give others the tools for serving library patrons of all ages and abilities. Inside Yoga and Meditation at the Library, you will find 21 program models, including choreographed yoga sequences complete with pictures, passive program ideas, alternative collections suggestions, budget considerations, literacy tie-ins, and checklists for prep, teardown, and follow-up, as well as advice from real-world program delivery. Chapters include: *What are Mindfulness and Meditation? *What is Yoga? *Implementing Yoga and Meditation Programs in Your Library *Choosing Resources and Designing Spaces *Passive Programs and Alternative Collections *Policies and Procedures for Avoiding and Handling Problems *Yoga and Meditation for the Early Years *Yoga and Meditation for Elementary-Age Students *Yoga and Meditation for Teens and Young Adults *Yoga and Meditation for Adults and Seniors *Yoga for Every Body: Inclusive Programming through Outreach and Inreach This book is for any programming librarian, administrator, yoga and meditation teacher, or outreach coordinator looking to boost circulation stats, program numbers, literacy rates, and foster health and wellness in their community.

In "If You Like Exercise... Chances Are You're Doing It Wrong," author Gary Bannister tells us that "the power-to-be have all but destroyed the value of muscle isolation, discredited the use of machines in general, ignored everything related to the work of Arthur Jones and replaced it with a ten-cent solution." He claims that until the field of exercise defines what is true and what is not, it will never have the impact that it could.

Muscle strength, the only factor that can produce human movement and the only factor that performs work, is disappearing from today's training regimens. This study and guide analyzes current concepts and training systems-such as Pilates, "functional" training TRX, cross-training, kettlebells, and more-and compares their benefits to those of proper strength training to provide a clear picture for everyone.

"If You Like Exercise... Chances Are You're Doing It Wrong" rekindles the high intensity strength-training principles of Arthur Jones, the founder of Nautilus. Bannister focuses on the concepts of intensity, form, frequency, duration, number of repetition, speed if movement, and muscle fatigue, supporting them with current research. Logically applied, proper strength training is the only system capable of satisfying all five potential benefits of exercise-an increase in strength, flexibility, cardiovascular condition, body-composition, and injury prevention.

From kick-boxing, Pilates, and other cutting-edge exercise options to perennial favorites (such as running, biking, and swimming), this guide helps you create customized workouts that minimize boredom and maximize results. Cross-Training For Dummies features

• Tips on mixing and matching activities for a balanced workout
• Photos and illustrations that show proper techniques
• Advice on setting goals, staying motivated, and preventing injuries

The workout you want is yours when you delve into this ...For Dummies edition. So lace up your cross-trainers! It's time to weight lift on Monday, play volleyball on Wednesday, and take a fitness class on Friday!

"Andrew Kastor has taken the tried-and-true principles that all us pros follow and made them available and applicable for everyone. Just as Andrew has helped me on my journey, he is sure to help you on yours."--Ryan Hall, US Olympic Marathoner, holder of the US record in the half marathon, and marathon training expert

As a marathon training coach for world-class runners and Olympic medalists, Andrew Kastor knows what it takes to get to the finish line. Whether you are planning to run a full or half marathon, Coach Kastor's marathon training program conditions you to set achievable goals, get in shape, and stay motivated. With an easy-to-follow 20-week marathon training schedule for building strength and endurance, plus expert advice from record-holding runners on what to expect, Running Your First Marathon is the only coaching you'll need to go the distance.

Running Your First Marathon lays out a goal-oriented marathon training program with:

- A 20-Week Marathon Training Program--detailed day-by-day marathon training schedules and space to track your progress

- Marathon Training 101--advice and tips from world-class marathoners on marathon training, fueling your body, avoiding injury, and race-day preparation

- Motivational Marathon Training Boosts--from Coach Kastor and other famous runners to help you stay on track during marathon training

"Running Your First Marathon will not only inspire you but also help train your mind and body to unlock hidden potential."--Shalane Flanagan, Olympic Silver Medalist, NYC Marathon champion, American record holder, and marathon training pro

Do you think running sucks?

Do you think you're too fat to run?

Look no further, Not Your Average Runner is for everyone. With humor, compassion, and lots of love, Jill Angie delivers the goods: overcoming the challenges of running with an overweight body and giving individuals' self-esteem an enormous boost in the process. This isn't a guide to running for weight loss, or a simple running plan. It shows readers how a woman carrying a few (or many) extra pounds can successfully become a runner in the body she has right now. Jill Angie is a certified running coach and personal trainer who wants to live in a world where everyone is free to feel fit and fabulous at any size. She started the Not Your Average Runner movement in 2013 to show that runners come in all shapes, sizes and speeds, and, since then, has assembled a global community of revolutionaries that are taking the running world by storm.

If you would like to be part of the revolution, flip to the inside and find out more!

Pilates benefits every body - including yours! Are you looking for the ideal home workout that anyone can do? Try Pilates and discover how to strengthen your core, become more flexible, improve your posture and even relieve back pain! This Pilates for beginners book is for everyone, regardless of age, race, size, gender, or physical ability. Discover how you can take advantage of all Pilates has to offer. This exercise book includes: - A complete workout plan allowing you to find your comfort zone and test your abilities without judgement - all from the comfort of your own home - 50 Pilates exercises with at least three variations/modifications for different body types - 15 sequences that combine the exercises - Expert advice and tips on Pilates and how to add the exercises to your life Pilates instructor and wellness coach, Micki Havard, will show you a wide range of Pilates exercises to discover this practice's physical and mental benefits. Step-by-step photography and a diverse group of models demonstrate each exercise with its possible variations, so you can find the best way that suits you, and your physical abilities. Once you've found the movements that suit you, you'll begin to notice the positive changes in your body as you become stronger and more confident. Other physical activities will become more manageable, and you will have renewed confidence in your everyday capabilities! If you enjoyed Pilates for Everyone, be sure to check out the other title in this series - Yoga for Everyone. So forget what you've heard. Exercise isn't just for the privileged few. It's meant to be enjoyed by everybody. Yes, you can do it - and this series will show you how!

The Dragon Dao-Yin exercises are a set of four short sequences designed to work with the subtle energies of the spine. Damo Mitchell teaches and explains the exercises in detail, within the context of a larger discussion of Dao Yin. He covers the theory, history and development of Dao Yin exercises in general, and the effects of the process which a student can go through if they practise them. He also explains the difference between Qi Gong and Dao Yin, including the qualitative differences, and their effects upon the body, as well as the concept of purging as opposed to nourishing or regulating, and how Chinese medical theory relates to Dao Yin training. One chapter is devoted to problems related to stagnation and the the flow of Qi, and covers the different causes and forms of stagnation (including the location of stagnation along the meridian pathways, stagnation in the Qi Men, and in the psyche), and the Chinese medical theory of the process of damage caused by stagnation. Later chapters look at breathing patterns and the extension of Yi, opening the joints, and rotating the bones and spine.The author also discusses stillness as the source of movement, and the philosophical significance of the Dragon and the pearl, as well as the means of hardwiring Dao Yin exercises into the energetic body. Central to the discussion is the concept of the spine, and how to wake it up. The Dragon exercises - Awakening, Swimming, Soaring and Drunken - are described in detail, with photographs and step-by-step instructions on each of the exercises as individual therapeutic exercises and as a form.

In this follow-up to his phenomenally popular Solo Training, Loren W. Christensen digs down deep to come up with hundreds of more ways for you to rev up your training at home or in the gym. Solo Training 2 kicks off with a focus on building your body's core for stronger, faster, and more effective grappling, kicking, and punching. A strong core-chest, abs, hips, shoulders, and back-is the source of your body's power, speed, and coordinated movement. As a martial artist, having a strong core helps you to get more out of your training and to respond instantly and effectively to the fast-changing demands of competition or an explosive street encounter. You'll also get over 100 ways to work your combinations, cheat speed, improve accuracy, fight from unconventional stances, practice grappling when you can't find a partner, and get the most out of your mannequin bag. This book wraps up with eight workouts, each with a specific goal, like the free-hand power builder and the boxer workout. If you're looking to get more out of training, Solo Training 2 represents your next evolution in fighting techniques and concepts.

You will fight how you train. That's why Fighter's Fact Book 2 presents a critical look at training and real-world applications. When you've mastered the skills taught in this book, you will truly be ready to defend yourself in some of the most desperate situations imaginable. You will learn how to defend yourself against multiple assailants, violent dogs, and knife attacks. You'll learn how to contend with close-quarters attacks and adversaries who are impervious to pain. You'll also get no-nonsense instruction on fighting wounded and the justified use of extreme tactics. Loren W. Christensen shares lessons from his decades of martial arts training and law enforcement experience. He has also enlisted a host of expert contributors: *Lt. Col. Dave Grossman*Iain Abernethy*Rory Miller*Kris Wilder*Lawrence Kane*Alain Burrese*Wim Demeere*Richard Dimitri*Mark Mireles*Tim Delgman*Dan Anderson These men are proven survivors, and their multidisciplinary analyses will change the way you see training and fighting. The authors will show you how to make your street techniques fast and explosive, and how to prepare yourself mentally to use extreme force. These skills are not for the faint of heart. They are hardcore techniques intended to save your life or the life of a loved one.

Allison Westfahl's Core Envy will tone and sculpt your abs, back, stomach, and sides-and build a strong, sexy core you'll love showing off. Her Core Envy program solves the problems other abs programs ignore with a three-part approach to slim down and tone up. You'll clean up your diet, fire up your metabolism, and tighten up all the muscles of your core without a gym or equipment. In just three weeks, you'll start seeing results. Westfahl is an acclaimed personal trainer who developed her effective core sculpting program for women at several of the nation's most prestigious health clubs. Her clients came to her because they were frustrated by traditional abs programs that involved impossible diets, endless cardio and crunches, sketchy supplements, and tedious calorie counting. Allison's 8-week Core Envy program is a better way to tone and sculpt. Core Envy lays out a triple threat of cardio workouts, sculpting routines, and a diet makeover. It's a balanced approach that promotes both fitness and weight loss, and you won't need a gym to make it happen. Allison's cardio and sculpting workouts average just 30 minutes and don't require special equipment. Her high-intensity cardio workouts coupled with full core functional exercises will make sure you slim down while you sculpt all the muscle groups you need for a sleek, toned core. Three levels let you amp it up or tone it down to match your current fitness level. Allison streamlines dieting with healthy, flavorful foods and snacks that will keep you energized as you rev up your metabolism. Her tasty recipes and complete meal plans simplify calorie counting and make weight loss painless. Core Envy will help you get the sleek, sculpted core you want. After Westfahl's 8-week program, you'll look great and feel confident rocking a fit and feminine look. Allison Westfahl is an exercise physiologist, certified personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist. After earning an undergraduate degree from Yale, Westfahl moved to Denver to pursue a career in helping people live a healthy, active lifestyle. She quickly made her mark on the industry, becoming the youngest-ever Director of Personal Training at a nationally top-rated health club. She has managed and directed personal training teams at high-end health clubs in Boulder and Denver since 2003. Westfahl is known for for creating innovative, effective core strength and sculpting routines. She has trained elite professional athletes, helped choreograph workout videos for Gaiam, and been featured in publications ranging from Shape to Bicycling to the Denver Post. She holds an MS in exercise science and a coaching certification from USA Triathlon, and has earned a CPT, PES, and FNS from the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

Gold Winner - 2011 IP's Living Now Awards Honorable Mention - 2011 Eric Hoffer Award WHAT IS TAI CHI BALL? Tai Chi Ball training used to be common practice in both external and internal martial arts. Unfortunately, due to its secrecy, fewer and fewer people have learned it. Today the art of Tai Chi Ball Qigong is almost forgotten. HOW CAN I USE IT? Fortunately, this book (and the companion DVDs) allows interested students to practice this effective training and incorporate it into their general exercise routine, or martial arts regimen. HOW WILL TAI CHI BALL TRAINING BENEFIT ME? For martial artists, Tai Chi Ball Qigong training can strengthen the torso, condition the muscles, and increase physical power by using the mind to lead the qi. It can be a major training tool to enhance pushing hands ability. For general exercise, Tai Chi Ball Qigong training helps those who might overly focus on 'core body exercises' to strengthen their hips, knees, and ankles. You will learn to move the vertebrae of the spine, increase energy through various breathing techniques, and learn to move many joints properly at different angles.

The latest and greatest in getting fit and staying that way

"Fitness For Dummies, 4th Edition, " provides the latest information and advice for properly shaping, conditioning, and strengthening your body to enhance overall fitness and health. With the help of fitness professionals Suzanne Schlosberg and Liz Neporent, you'll learn to set and achieve realistic fitness goals without expensive fitness club fees Achieve motivation and social support from social networking sites such as Twitter and FacebookTake advantage of digital resources such as e-exercising programs, video instructors, digital training systems, apps, and moreGives you the latest tips and methods to test your own fitness level, set realistic goals, stick with your program, and get great resultsShows you how to spot where fat is sneaking into your dietGet the most out of high-tech exercise machines and equipment, plus tips for using dumbbells or a simple jump rope to achieve resultsOffers step-by-step instructions on creating a home gym on a budget

Featuring all-new informative fitness photos and illustrations, this revised edition of "Fitness For Dummies" is all you need to get on track to a healthy new body