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.

By turns thrilling, funny and spiritually enlightening, this is the real-life Martial Arts adventure. Martin Faulks grew up in a Norfolk village. Returning from library with a friend one day they were attacked by a gang of older boys. Martin ran away leaving his friend to be beaten up. He vowed that would never happen again. He trained in the martial arts in his teens with growing success, he gained his black belt and even won tournaments but he wanted something more. He wanted to train as a Ninja. So started a series of initiations that would take him eventually to being trained by the Dalai Lama's bodyguard and travelling to Japan stay with the Yamabushi, the legendary spiritual teachers of the Ninja, living in the mountains of Japan.

Chinese martial arts is considered by many to symbolise the strength of the Chinese and their pride in their history, and has long been regarded as an important element of Chinese culture and national identity. Politics and Identity in Chinese Martial Arts comprehensively examines the development of Chinese martial arts in the context of history and politics, and highlights its role in nation building and identity construction over the past two centuries. This book explores how the development of Chinese martial arts was influenced by the ruling regimes' political and military policies, as well as the social and economic environment. It also discusses the transformation of Chinese martial arts into its modern form as a competitive sport, a sport for all and a performing art, considering the effect of the rapid transformation of Chinese society in the 20th century and the influence of Western sports. The text concludes by examining the current prominence of Chinese martial arts on a global scale and the bright future of the sport as a unique cultural icon and national symbol of China in an era of globalisation. Politics and Identity in Chinese Martial Arts is important reading for researchers, students and scholars working in the areas of Chinese studies, Chinese history, political science and sports studies. It is also a valuable read for anyone with a special interest in Chinese martial arts.

This book aims to assist in understanding the Kata better, to get to know the situations when they can be applied, and how to improve them in the daily training routine as well as in grading tests and competitions. Kata are the backbone of Karate. Continually practising them allows the whole spectrum of possibilities contained in Karate to be revealed. The Kata consist of a fascinating multitude of techniques, which permit defence in close contact as well as at medium and long distance with your partner. Situations where the Kata can be applied are comprehensively explained in this book. The special features of any Karate style are expressed through the Kata. All Kata contained in this book have their roots in the Shotokan Karate style.

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.

Kendo is the modern version of Japanese swordsmanship, and transmits the ancient swordsman tradition and life-view. This practical work offers an insight into this ancient art and philosophy.

Learn the secrets to obtaining Bruce Lee's astounding physique with this insightful martial arts training book. The Art of Expressing the Human Body, a title coined by Bruce Lee himself to describe his approach to martial arts, documents the techniques he used so effectively to perfect his body for superior health and muscularity. Beyond his martial arts and acting abilities, Lee's physical appearance and strength were truly astounding. He achieved this through an intensive and ever-evolving conditioning regime that is being revealed for the first time in this book. Drawing on Lee's notes, letters, diaries and training logs, Bruce Lee historian John Little presents the full extent of Lee's unique training methods including nutrition, aerobics, isometrics, stretching and weight training. In addition to serving as a record of Bruce Lee's training, The Art of Expressing the Human Body, with its easy-to-understand and simple-to-follow training routines, is a valuable source book for those who seek dramatic improvement in their health, conditioning, physical fitness, and appearance. 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: Letters of the Dragon Bruce Lee: Jeet Kune Do

The ninja, Japan’s famous black-clad spies and assassins renowned for their superb martial arts skills, are the stuff of legend, their shadowy dealings inspiring countless tales in Japanese folklore. No other military figure in the world has captured the popular imagination as have the ninja, with a swathe of movies, comic books, theme parks and computer games being dedicated to them. Ninja takes the reader into the world of Japan in 1789, conveying the excitement, danger and subterfuge of the period. Based on an original ninjutsu training manual, it teaches readers precisely what is required to become a ninja, and of course the craft itself, so that they can master the ninja arts. Illustrated throughout with contemporary artifacts, documents and prints taken from the original manuals, as well as modern reconstructions, this light-hearted but informative guide will captivate readers young and old, and covers every aspect of what it was really like to be a ninja in Japan.

The ultimate guide to the Japanese martial arts by the world's foremost expert! Author Alexander Bennett is the ultimate insider, having lived in Japan for decades. He holds multiple black belts in Kendo and Naginata, as well as PhDs in Japanese literature and history. An Insider's Guide to the Japanese Martial Arts is Bennett's personal guide for fellow martial artists and seekers who wish to undertake their own personal quest to study or practice a martial art in Japan. In this book, Bennett outlines the history of the Japanese warrior from early times until the present. Then, as only someone steeped in this world can, he surveys the contemporary martial arts scene and provides essential tips on how to find a teacher and a dojo and how to navigate and survive the difficult martial arts world in Japan today. The chapters in this book cover many different topics, including: The Real Samurai How the Japanese Martial Arts developed Martial Arts Masters You Should Know About Budo in Japan Today Key Martial Arts Concepts Life in a Japanese Dojo A Japan Survival Guide Written in an informal, easy-to-read style, this book will captivate anyone with an interest in Japan and Japanese culture, especially martial artists around the world.

This masterfully crafted guide to ninjitsu or budo explores in depth the history, culture and philosophy of this fascinating and enduring Japanese martial art. Budo is one of the least understood forms of art in the world. Even more than skills or techniques, the teachings of budo require faith to learn and courage to understand. One of the fundamental teachings of budo is ninjutstu, the art of perseverance that forms the basis of the Japanese martial arts. The lessons in this book come directly from experiencing the living vitality of the world's foremost master of the ninja arts, Masaaki Hatsumi. Through the use of stories, poetry, art, and earned wisdom, the authors move beyond the common image of the martial arts and reveal the nature of the unexpected changes in themselves as they struggled to come to terms with what being a martial artist in the ninja tradition meant. The Art of Life and Death is a reflection of the discipline, the aesthetics, and the philosophy that lies hidden within the martial way. It is a glimpse at the hidden potential of the martial arts, one where the practitioner can embrace transcendence and transformation in order to face all the fears that litter life and also life's most fearsome opponent: Death.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is an emergent sport where competitors in a ring or cage utilize strikes (punches, kicks, elbows and knees) as well as submission techniques to defeat opponents. This book explores the carnal experience of fighting through a sensory ethnography of MMA, and how it transgresses the cultural scripts of masculinity in popular culture. Based on four years of participant observation in a local MMA club and in-depth interviews with amateur and professional MMA fighters, Spencer documents fighters' training regimes and the meanings they attach to participation in the sport. Drawing from the philosophical phenomenology of Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty and Jean-Luc Nancy, this book develops bodies-centered ontological and epistemological grounding for this study. Guided by such a position, it places bodies at the center of analysis of MMA and elucidates the embodied experience of pain and injury, and the sense and rhythms of fighting.

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.

As a ten-time Brazilian jiu jitsu World Champion and a former MMA World Champion, Roger Gracie is widely considered to be the greatest practitioner of Brazilian jiu jitsu of all time.

His grandfather, the great Carlos Gracie, was the architect of modern day Brazilian jiu jitsu and for Roger, growing up in the famous Gracie family, every conversation seemed to be about fighting,

Within this family of supermen, this self-contained, chubby kid promised little; in fact, nobody expected Roger to become the warrior he later did. But once he had made up his mind as a teenager to become the greatest, Roger's star was firmly aligned with his purpose. Over time, he gradually became unstoppable, both in his thirst for jiu jitsu knowledge and in his single-mindedness to strip back overly complex moves to their simplest most effective forms, just as his grandfather had done before him.

In The Tao of the Champion, for the first time, Gracie shares lessons from a career of fighting at the highest level including:

-'Learning to breathe', -'Controlling your emotions', -'Mastering your thinking', and ' -'Developing Quiet Inner Grace'.

Going far beyond the mat, this hard won wisdom is applicable to everyone from any background and in any walk of life who longs to find strength, courage, health, and peace.

The indigenous martial arts of the Philippines archipelago are known by a variety of names including Arnis, Arnis de Mano, Eskrima or Escrima, and are widely respected for the development of combat-effective defensive strategies and skills. The Filipino martial arts are fast and dynamic and utilise a diverse range of training methods to augment the journey towards achieving advance abilities in defending against weapons-based or empty-hand encounters. Supplemented by over 320 colour photographs, this exciting book explores the fundamental, intermediate and advanced techniques of double and single stick categories that are standard across many systems of the Filipino martial arts.

The urge to forge one's character by fighting, in daily life as well as on the mat, appeals to something deep within us. More than a collection of fighting techniques, martial arts constitute a path to developing body, spirit, and awareness. "On the Warrior's Path" connects the martial arts with this larger perspective, merging subtle philosophies with no-holds-barred competition, Nietzsche with Bruce Lee, radical Taoism and Buddhism with the "Star Wars" Trilogy, traditional martial arts with basketball and American Indian culture. At the center of all these phenomena is the warrior. Though this archetype seems to manifest contradictory values, author Daniele Bolelli describes the heart of this tension: how the training of martial technique leads to a renunciation of violence, and how overcoming fear leads to a unique freedom. Aimed at students at any level or tradition of martial arts but also accessible to the armchair warrior, "On the Warrior's Path" brings fresh insights to why martial arts remains an enduring and widespread art and discipline. Two new chapters in this second edition focus on spirituality in the martial arts and the author's personal journey in the field.

"Knife & Tomahawk Throwing helps keep alive these traditional arts of the old West. In these pages, you will learn about the fundamentals of the sport and gain insight into some of the greatest professional knife throwers-the men who paved the way for the modern day thrower." -- Bobby Branton, President of the American Knife Thrower's Alliance (AKTA) Harry McEvoy, the foremost expert in the field of tomahawk and knife throwing and best-selling author of Knife Throwing: A Practical Guide, provides us with an exciting, in-depth look at the popular sport of weapon throwing. Meet the men who throw flaming knives at lovely ladies on a spinning target--and not scorch a hair; learn about the legendary "Skeeter" Vaughan, whose record-breaking throw saved the lives of hundreds of U.S. servicemen during World War II; and witness the courage of Tony Cascarella, who brought down a 275-pound wild boar with only three Bowie-Axe throwing knives. In addition, this book will clearly show you the skills involved in knife and tomahawk throwing--skills all the professionals first mastered before attempting the daring feats required when performing the "impalement arts." Also presented is an interesting history of throwing-knives, from the earliest times, through the development of the European daggers, and up to the knives used during the Vietnam War. Furthermore, you'll learn about many of the other throwing weapons of the world, including the martial arts weapons used by the Japanese ninja, and the deadly boomerangs of the Australian aborigines. Concisely written and illustrated with more than 50 photographs--including many of the "greats" in action--Knife and Tomahawk Throwing is a must for anyone interested in these fascinating sports. Chapters include: The Fine Points of Knife Throwing How to Build Targets Evolution of the Throwing Knife The Art of the Professionals The Saga of Skeeter Vaughn Tomahawk Throwing The Hunt of the "Hog Heaven" Boar The Other Throwing Instruments

Learn the ancient knowledge of how the body's vital points, the centers of the body's natural energy, can be exploited to gain an advantage over your opponent in martial combat or self-defense. In this detailed guide to pressure point fighting, martial arts expert Rick Clark describes how to target expertly placed blows which can defeat your opponent quickly and effectively. He offers a systematic introduction to this knowledge and to the tools needed to recognize vital points in the kata, hyung, or forms already in place. The lessons explain: Where the body's vital points are located and how to strike them for maximum effect How vital points can be targeted most efficiently to successfully defend oneself How targeting vital points can be used in conjunction with traditional martial arts to help meet a variety of threats With 230 photos and 25 detailed charts, Pressure Point Fighting teaches that success in this discipline is not dependent upon acceptance of the tenets of traditional Chinese medicine, or modern Western medicine, for that matter--solely on open-minded observation and willingness to try different approaches to martial arts training. Forewords written by pressure point combat expert Vince Morris and Tai Chi master Jane Hallander explain how this book's lessons are indispensable to anyone seeking to learn the elements of pressure point fighting.

A lightning-swift form of kung fu based on the concepts of short-range attack and defense, wing chun achieved worldwide renown as the favored martial art of Bruce Lee. This expanded edition of the popular wing chun guide features a tribute from Lee's wife, Linda, plus new material from Yip Chun, the world's leading master teacher of this form. Also included are never-before-published photos of the late Yip Man, former grandmaster and the last in a line of disciples originating with wing chun's 18th-century founder, Ng Mui. The book introduces practitioners to sil lim tao, the first training form, and goes on to describe combat applications. Readers will also find a brief history, notes on training, and useful discussions of centerline theory and the seeds of wing chun.