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.

The first English-language book to detail the combat systems and martial culture of a land shaped by centuries of conflict. The Martial Arts of Vietnam presents an engaging overview of the evolution of Vietnamese martial arts from 2,000 BCE until today. We will look at the mythical origins of the Vietnamese people and the impact that invasions from neighboring countries had on the martial culture of Vietnam. We will discover how kings and governments promoted and, in some cases, crushed martial traditions; alongside how Vietnams' unusual geography both protected and exposed martial styles and lineages. This work offers stunning photography, era timelines, and regional maps that allow for an engaging adventure through Vietnam's northern, central, and southern regions, all in search of events and catalysts that shaped its martial history through the ages. When we arrive at modern Vietnams' martial arts society, we meet with many teachers from the northern, central, and southern regions who, through courageous efforts, are attempting to codify and preserve their unique combat systems for the benefit of all martial artists. We explore the ethnic minority martial arts, Sino-Vietnamese and Chinese martial arts, as well as various imported and foreign systems and how they are positioned in relation to modern Vietnam's martial arts practices. The Martial Arts of Vietnam lifts the veil of secrecy long surrounding this socialist state to reveal its combat systems and their thousand years of evolution.

In this book, Dr. Kuhn effectively explains and demonstrates how Therapeutic Qigong is a valuable and important adjunct to good health care. Her helpful directions and clear illustrations demonstrate this simple yet powerful Qigong routine that anyone can use to improve and then maintain their health. Therapeutic Qigong is a form of medical Qigong that was created in the early 1970's, by Dr. Zhuang Yuanmin and other expert Chinese Medical Doctors at the University of Sports Medicine in Shanghai China. This Qigong routine combines physical exercises, stretching, breathing and self-massage. By enhancing energy and blood circulation, Therapeutic Qigong can accelerate the body's healing process and immunity, to help relieve illness and prevent disease. Therapeutic Qigong is easy to learn and easy to practice. The program is divided into six groups. Each group focuses on different muscles and joints to achieve maximum benefit. You only need 15-30 minutes per day to enjoy the results of this effective Qigong regimen. If you are new to Qigong, you can work on individual groups until you are ready to add others. * Categories, definitions and a brief history of Qigong.* Relationship between Qi and our attitudes.* How energy effects our body.* Exercises; Neck, Shoulders, Back, Hips, Legs, Arms, Elbows, Hands & Wrists.

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 revised edition of our best selling beginner Tai Chi Chuan book includes a new and modern easy-to-follow layout. Every tai chi movement is presented in 2-4 large photographs with clear instructions, followed by key points to help you learn properly. In 1956, the Chinese Athletic Committee created the Simplified 24 Posture Tai Chi form from the Yang style. The movements in this simplified form are easy to learn and the postures are standardized to the Yang style. Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is the most popular beginner tai chi form practiced today. It takes about 10 hours to learn and can be performed in 6 minutes. In 1976, the Chinese Athletic Committee created the 48 Posture Tai Chi form from Yang, Wu, Chen, and Sun styles. This allows an intermediate practitioner to experience these traditional styles in one short form. This tai chi form can be performed in 12 minutes. Inside this book: * A general introduction to tai chi chuan. * A theoretical foundation of tai chi chuan. * Tai chi history. * Guidelines for good practice including fundamental stances, balance, breathing, and movement. * The entire Simplified 24 Posture Tai Chi form with step-by-step instructions. * Martial applications for the Simplified 24 Posture Tai Chi form. * The entire 48 Posture Tai Chi form with step-by-step instructions. * Foot placement diagram.

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.

Many practitioners believe that Sanchin Kata holds the key to mastering traditional martial arts. It is one of the simplest forms to learn, yet one of the most difficult to perfect. Those who truly understand its teachings find that it facilitates enormous quickness and power in any martial application. The challenge lies in gaining that understanding, which is something we had to uncover ourselves by trial and error...until now. When Karate or Ti" was first developed in Okinawa, it was about using technique and extraordinary power to end a fight instantly. These old ways of generating remarkable power are still accessible, but they are purposefully hidden in Sanchin Kata for the truly dedicated to find. This book takes you to new depths of practice by breaking down the form piece by piece, body part by body part, so that the very foundation of the kata is revealed. Test it. Every chapter, concept, and application is accompanied by a test it section, designed for you to explore and verify the kata for yourself. Sanchin Kata really comes alive when you can feel the thrill of having those hidden teachings speak to you through your body across the ages. No other document or video available today provides such depth and exploration of Sanchin Kata. Simply put: once you read this book and test what you have learned, your Karate will never be the same. Contents Include:* Movement Not Seen* The Crescent Step* The Spine* Bones, Sinew, and Muscle* The Energetic Structure* The Mechanical Structure* Iron Shirt* Rooting* The Mind* Ten-minute Sanchin* The 5:7 Ratio* The Entire Traditional Kata in step-by-step Movement* And Much More!

This westerner's guide to Chinese astrology (Ba Zi) explains the basis on which charts are drawn up, how they work, and how they provide the tools to understand ourselves and our relationships with others. Ba Zi is the art of understanding the energies present in a person's life from birth to death and how these energies impact on their behaviour and interactions. As well as providing an explanation of how to draw up and interpret a basic chart, the book provides detailed information on the different character types and their strengths and weaknesses, including useful tips on likely health weaknesses and what can be done to address them. Foundational information on yin and yang and the five elements is also included, essential to understanding the principles of Ba Zi. Accessible for beginners and providing rich explanations for anyone more experienced, this book will be an intriguing and helpful read for anyone interested in the art of astrology.

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.

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 secrets of internal power are revealed in this expert guide to Internal and External martial Qigong. This comprehensive martial arts training guide explores White Crane Kung Fu (Gongfu), one of the most famous martial styles developed in China. Martial Arts Qigong is integral to White Crane kung Fu and is a proven way to build explosive fighting power, known as Jin. In addition to fighting power, martial Qigong builds robust health and longevity. By focusing on the spine and torso, Shaolin White Crane develops and maintains a strong, supple upper body. Flexibility and strength of the spine are notable results of this training. It is commonly recognized that Shaolin White Crane is the root of Okinawan Karate, and has heavily influenced Japanese martial arts. From this book, a Karate practitioner will be able to trace this root back, and gain profound comprehension of empty-hand styles. * Long time hidden secrets of White Crane revealed.* A comprehensive analysis of Internal and External martial Qigong.* Complete sets of White Crane Hard and Soft Qigong training.* A thorough examination of martial power (Jin).* Presents more than 60 White Crane Jin patterns.* Learn mental and physical training for explosive fighting power.* Over four hundred action photographs and illustrations.

"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

Reach for the Highest Level of Tai Chi Practice You can achieve the highest level of tai chi practice by including tai chi sword in your training regimen. Here's your chance to take the next step in your tai chi journey. Once you have attained proficiency in the bare hand form and have gained listening and sensing skills from pushing hands, you are ready for tai chi sword. The elegant and effective techniques of traditional tai chi sword Tai chi sword will help you control your qi, refine your tai chi skills, and master yourself. You will strengthen and relax your body, calm and focus your mind, improve your balance, and develop proper tai chi breathing. This book provides a solid and practical approach to learning tai chi sword accurately and quickly. Includes over 500 photographs with motion arrows! *Historical overview of tai chi sword*Fundamentals, including hand forms and footwork*Generating power with the sword*12 tai chi sword breathing exercises*30 key tai chi sword techniques with applications*12 fundamental tai chi sword solo drills*Complete 54-movement Yang Tai Chi Sword sequence*48 martial applications from the tai chi sword sequence*10 tai chi sword 2-person matching drills No matter your age, tai chi sword is a wonderful way to improve your health and well-being. Tai Chi Chuan is one of the more popular health activities practiced today. According to the NCCAM div. of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, between 2.3-3 million people practice tai chi in the United States. Recommended by healthcare professionals, practiced for pleasure, fitness, or martial arts; by young and old alike, tai chi creates a vast community of people practicing for many different reasons. Many students expand their practice to include the Tai Chi Sword. It's fun, builds strength, and develops concentration and focus. Tai chi sword is integral to the long-term study of tai chi and qigong. This revised edition of our classic book on Tai Chi Sword includes a new modern, easy-to-follow layout; each movement is presented in 4-6 large photographs with lucid instructions on how to perform them; shows martial applications to help get the angles correct. Other sections offer a brief history of Tai Chi Sword, fundamental training routines, and qigong exercises to connect your Tai Chi Sword practice to your internal health.

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.