Bone-smashing action, brutal finishes and fighters that leave it all in the cage. Mixed Martial Arts has exploded onto the scene to become one of the fastest growing sports in the world. MMA was born with one single, bloody question: Which fighting style is the toughest? To reach the top, a fighter must master various fighting techniques -- kickboxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu and more -- and blend them together: The great Georges St-Pierre steamrolls through his opponents in the UFC, but in school he was mercilessly targeted by bullies, that is, until he learned karate; Most fighters respect their opponents, but they don't have to like them; some of the greatest rivalries of all time feature bad blood (and lots of real blood, too) -- Chuck Lidell vs. Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes vs. Georges St-Pierre and Ken Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie; Before going on to have one of the greatest careers in MMA history, Randy Couture won a gold medal at the 1991 Pan American Games in wrestling; In the early days of the UFC there were no weight classes; in one match, a karate master was 400 pounds lighter and nine inches shorter than his sumo wrestler opponent, but the karate master still won; Legendary UFC hall-of-famer Royce Gracie was born to be a champion: his father and uncle invented Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an art that any self-respecting MMA fighter with a ground game must learn.

This is the original classic about Short Form, the most popular and widespread form of T'ai Chi in the West." T'ai Chi Ch'uan" is a must-read for every serious T'ai Chi student. This book is not meant to "teach" T'ai Chi Ch'uan, but meant to expound upon its meaning to the earnest practitioner; to offer the layperson a glimpse into this ancient art; and to communicate the author's unique perceptions and experiences that only a lifetime of practice can cultivate. Taken in this context, this is a most valuable book.

Let elite Muay Thai warriors turn your body into an unbeatable weapon . . .

Written by professional Muay Thai fighters and trainers, "Muay Thai Unleashed" shows you how to master this feared and dangerous martial art. Author and trainer Erich Krauss, along with Muay Thai pros Glen Cordoza and Tana (Chun) Yingwitayakhun, teach you the same body-punishing techniques that are used at the highest levels of Muay Thai competition. Whether you use these skills in the ring or on the street in self-defense, your opponents will regret the day you read this book.. .

Unleash your potential with:
. * Kicks * Punches * Elbow strikes * Knee strikes * Clinching techniques * Defense and counters * An arsenal of combinations

Capoeira weaves fighting, music, dance, prayer, and ritual into an urgent strategy by which people live, struggle, celebrate, and survive together. In this book Bira Almeida--or Mestre Acordeon as he is respectfully called in capoeira circles--documents his own tradition with both the panoramic eye of the historian and the passionate heart of the capoeirista. He transports the reader from the damn of New World history in Brazil to the streets of twentieth-century Bahia (the spiritual home of capoeira) to the giant urban centers of North America (wher capoeira is now spreading in new lineages from the old masters). This book is valuable for anyone interested in ethnocultural traditions, martial arts, and music, as well as for those who want to listen to the words of an actual mestre dedicated to preserving his Afro-Brazilian legacy.

This thoroughly revised edition of "Muay Thai: Advanced Thai Boxing Techniques "teaches intermediate Muay Thai fighters how to counter a wide range of opponents' attacks. Author Christoph Delp explains the rules and ceremonial procedures unique to Muay Thai competition, demonstrates historical and modern techniques, provides training tips, and details the benefits of training in Thailand--experiencing the art in its country of origin.
The primary focus of "Muay Thai""Counter Techniques" is on counter-tactics, or techniques used to counter an attack from one's opponent. Muay Thai is a martial art with a variety of impressive techniques; every attack technique can be countered with a large number of variants. No two fighters will react to an attack in the same way, because while most Muay Thai fighters learn the same basic techniques (as presented in Delp's earlier book "Muay Thai Basics"), each fighter will go on to learn a wide variety of secondary techniques and will adapt them to his or her individual fighting style. This edition includes new full-color photographs throughout in which many well-known Thai boxers--including champions like Saiyok Pumphanmuang, Kem Sitsongpeenong, and many others--demonstrate the most important techniques for competitive success. Suitable for Thai boxers as well as mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters, "Muay Thai Counter Techniques" is a useful addition to the library of anyone seeking to add more techniques into their repertoire and take their training to the next level.

TARGET YOUR OPPONENT'S VITAL POINTS TO DISABLE ANYONE USING MINIMAL FORCE
-Over 300 step-by-step photos show each point and strike
-Written by a 9th - Dan Master and renowned expert on pressure point fighting
Martial arts lore tells of masters who possessed a mysterious ability to defeat an opponent with a single perfectly placed blow. "The Secret Art of Pressure Point Fighting" transforms the ancient legend into a modern reality--an anatomically based fighting and self-defense system that allows a smaller defender to defeat a larger attacker by striking at the key points on his body.

Straightforward and easy to understand, "The Secret Art of Pressure Point Fighting" provides a complete overview of the body's vulnerable points and teaches how to stop an attacker as quickly as possible using a minimal amount of physical strength.

The comprehensive and accurate edition of the Hagakure is a must-have for serious martial artists or fans of samurai and the bushido code. The Hagakure is one of the most influential of all Japanese texts--written nearly 300 years ago by Yamamoto Tsunetomo to summarize the very essence of the Japanese Samurai bushido ("warrior") spirit. Its influence has been felt throughout the world, and yet its existence is scarcely known to many Westerners. This is the first translation to include the complete first two books of the Hagakure and the most reliable and authentic passages contained within the third book; all other English translations published previously have been fragmentary and incomplete. Alex Bennett's wholly new and highly readable translation of this essential work includes extensive footnotes that serve to fill in many cultural and historical gaps in the previous translations. This unique combination of readability and scholarship gives Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai a distinct advantage over all previous English editions.

The original purpose of iaido was to slay an opponent with one stroke of the sword upon unsheathing; today it is practiced as a martial art, one that improves concentration, develops strength and coordination, and cultivates awareness of an ancient culture and its traditions. This manual of Eishin-Ryu (or "Pure Faith") iaido teaches the most widely practiced sword style, and is illustrated with step-by-step drawings to help students, from beginners to advanced, hone their forms and techniques. Introductory chapters explain the history and evolution of the art, the Japanese sword and related equipment, and the etiquette and code of the samurai, while an extensive glossary and bibliography are provided for further reference.

Why do so many Americans practice martial arts? How did kung fu get its own movie genre? What makes mixed martial arts so popular? This book answers these questions for the first time with historical research. At the turn of the 20th century, the United States enjoyed a time of prosperity but feared that men were becoming soft. At the same time, the Japanese government sponsored research to develop the best fighting techniques for its new empire. Before World War II, American men boxed and Japanese men practiced judo and karate. Postwar Americans began adopting Chinese, Brazilian, Filipino and other fighting styles, in the process establishing a masculine subculture based on physical and social power. The rise of Asian martial arts in America is a fascinating untold story of modern history, from the origin of karate uniforms to the first martial arts themed birthday party. The cast of characters includes circus strongmen, professional cage fighters, an award winning comic book artist, the inventors of judo, aikido and Cornflakes, and Count Juan Raphael Dante, a Chicago hairdresser and used car salesman with the ""Deadliest Hands in the World."" Readers will never look at taekwondo class the same way again.

The ancient Chinese practice of Qigong combines physical movement with gentle breathing techniques to promote harmony between body and mind, and is quickly gaining popularity in the West. This step-by-step guide to managing stress through Qigong begins by looking at stress and our response to it from both an Eastern and a Western perspective. The core of the book provides a program with first a series of carefully-designed stress relief exercises, followed by a series of gentler stress prevention exercises, all of which are clearly explained with easy-to-follow instructions for each of the steps, and fully illustrated. The author explains the theory underpinning the Qigong exercises in terms of the principles of Chinese Medicine, including Yin and Yang, The Five Elements and the circulation of energy (Qi) through the meridians. Extensively trialled with Maggie's Cancer Care Centres, and designed specifically to fit around a busy lifestyle, the Qigong program set out in this book will help to reduce stress, decrease anxiety and restore energy. This practical book will help anyone who is prone to stress, regardless of their level of ability or experience of Qigong. It will also be a useful resource for Taijiquan and Qigong instructors, alternative therapists, and other professionals working with clients who are affected by stress.

Wushu, the Chinese martial art form known as kung fu in the West, embodies traditional Chinese culture and reflects the self defense and fitness practices of the Chinese people. The core philosophy of wushu is drawn from Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist principles and the Eastern philosophy that humans are an integral part of nature. In this illustrated introduction Wang Guangxi discusses the theory, schools, weapons and development of this distinctive and captivating branch of Chinese culture from ancient times to the present day, including its representation in literature and film.

Popular in China for thousands of years, Qigong is the art of cultivating your vital energy through gentle movements and techniques that incorporate breath, sound, visualization and self-massage. Often thought of as "Feng Shui for the body" or "Chinese yoga", Qigong is not simply about physical fitness, but also internal healing. The practice is commonly used in China, and increasingly in the US, to maintain fitness, heal ailments, promote longevity and reverse the aging process. This book provides a 20-minute programme of revitalizing movements and healing postures. The step-by-step Qigong workout aims to help women of all ages improve their overall health and fitness while maintaining youthful skin, eyes, hair and energy. It explains how each series of movements benefits the mind and body. Readers can then customize their routine and move beyond the 20-minute workout as they learn to apply the healing powers of Qigong - along with herbal recommendations, dietary remedies and self-accupressure - to specific age-related concerns such as arthritis, hearing loss, weight gain and sexual vitality. Special attention is paid to eomen's health issues such as menstruation, hot flashes, osteoporosis and breast health.

In the global world of the twenty-first century, martial arts are practiced for self-defense and sporting purposes only. However, for thousands of years, they were a central feature of military practice in China and essential for the smooth functioning of society. Individuals who were adept in using weapons were highly regarded, not simply as warriors but also as tacticians and performers. This book, which opens with an intriguing account of the very first female martial artist, charts the history of combat and fighting techniques in China from the Bronze Age to the present. This broad panorama affords fascinating glimpses into the transformation of martial skills, techniques, and weaponry against the background of Chinese history, the rise and fall of empires, their governments, and their armies. Quotations from literature and poetry, and the stories of individual warriors, infuse the narrative, offering personal reflections on prowess in the battlefield and techniques of engagement. This is an engaging and readable introduction to the authentic history of Chinese martial arts.

Martial arts have appeared in American movies since the days of Mr. Moto and Charlie Chan, but English-language martial arts films as a genre did not develop until the 1970s, with the breakthrough success of Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon. They've since proliferated enormously, encompassing every level of filmmaking quality, employing every martial arts system known, and spawning a cadre of action superstars known for their ability to kick butt more than for their talent as actors. Low budgets, straight-to-video releases, and a lack of critical respect have not lessened their influence, and they remain hugely popular and continue to inform the work of the leading lights of American cinema, from Coppola to Stone to Tarantino. This history of American martial arts films, from major features to direct-to-video releases, examines English-language martial arts films in terms of both their historical development and their critical relevance. The first section describes the most common martial arts techniques, the history of martial arts in America, and gives a global overview of the history of martial arts films. Heavily illustrated chapters discuss early trend-setting movies, the first appearances of martial arts in American movies; the influence of Chinese kung fu film imports; martial arts on television and the films' proliferation; the explosive growth of the genre in the 80s; and recent releases, trends, and the direction of English-language martial arts movies. There is a selected filmography of 300 movies.

Originally published in 1963, this book includes personal testimonies regarding the author and his art from James Y Lee, the legendary Ed Parker, and jujutsu icon Wally Jay. Through hand-drawn diagrams and captioned photo sequences, Lee's text comes to life as he demonstrates a variety of training exercises and fighting techniques. Topics include basic gung fu stances, waist training, leg training, and the theory of yin and yang.

The "Wing Chun Compendium" explains the theory of wing chun from a technical, lifestyle, and philosophical perspective. Written by Wayne Belonoha--a certified Ving Tsun Instructor and National Certified Coach, 7th Level, Master Degree--the compendium offers hundreds of tips and techniques specifically designed to help readers advance to the next stage. The Wing Chun Compendium is divided into eight sections, including Theory, Techniques, Drills, Chi Sau (Sticky Hands), Forms, Pressure Points, Health and Fitness, and Terminology.
Students of all levels will find tips for improving technique and gaining benefits from the book's instruction in over 20 of the top skill-building drills and exercises, such as the Maai Sang Jong and Bong Guek (Sticky Legs) drills. Covering all three hand forms (Siu Nim Tau, Cham Kiu, and Biu Ji), it also provides a detailed examination of each movement and application and features an extensive terminology section that includes the Chinese characters and both Cantonese and Mandarin pronunciations for over 200 of the most common wing chun terms. The compendium concludes with Grandmaster Sunny Tang's special article, "Reflections of Siu Nim Tau After 30 Years."

Words of the Dragon is an anthology of newspaper and magazine interviews from 1958 to 1973 revealing Bruce Lee's own fascinating words and explanations about Bruce himself, his art and philosophy. Interesting and insightful, Words of the Dragon provides the reader a means to understand the real Bruce Lee, offering us a unique keyhole through which to view the private life and personal struggles of the late martial arts superstar. These interviews provide us with Lee's own interpretations of life, the martial arts, international stardom, and his cross-cultural marriage during a time of racism. This Bruce Lee book is part of the Bruce Lee Library which also features: Bruce Lee's Striking Thoughts Bruce Lee's The Tao of Gung Fu Bruce Lee Artist of Life Bruce Lee Letters of the Dragon Bruce Lee The Art of Expressing the Human Body Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do

The life of Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), Japan's greatest samurai swordsman, is chronicled in this first authoritative, "lively and balanced" ("Library Journal"), English-language biography of the impressive warrior. Included is original artwork by Musashi plus Glossary, map, and Appendices.

This collection of fascinating short reads on Daoist thought, including Chinese medicine brings together some of the most popular articles from the Scholar Sage online magazine, alongside new material from Damo Mitchell. It includes: * How the teaching of the 'three worms' (Sanchong) demonstrates the way Daoism pulls together models of the physical, energetic, spiritual and psychological * A translation of and commentary on the Classic of Breath and Qi Consolidation, an important Daoist classical poem that discusses the relationship of Jing and Qi in the body * The importance of the pineal gland in Daoist alchemical thought * The internal alchemy of Fire, Water, Dragon and Tiger * The meaning behind the pairs of Fu Dogs often seen guarding the entrances of Chinese temples, government buildings and restaurants * How Fa Jin works * How increasing your 'excitement threshold' can help you to find contentment in states of perpetual centeredness * Understanding and using food energetics * And much more. Helping you to think about your practice in new ways, the book features contributions from senior students at the Lotus Nei Gong School of Daoist Arts, including Roni Edlund, Lauren Faithfull, Tino Faithfull, Donna Pinker and Dr Seb Smith.

The first book to focus on the intersection of Western philosophy and the Asian martial arts, Striking Beauty comparatively studies the historical and philosophical traditions of martial arts practice and their ethical value in the modern world. Expanding Western philosophy's global outlook, the book forces a theoretical reckoning with the concerns of Chinese philosophy and the aesthetic and technical dimensions of martial arts practice. Striking Beauty explains the relationship between Asian martial arts and the Chinese philosophical traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, in addition to Sunzi's Art of War. It connects martial arts practice to the Western concepts of mind-body dualism and materialism, sports aesthetics, and the ethics of violence. The work ameliorates Western philosophy's hostility toward the body, emphasizing the pleasure of watching and engaging in martial arts, along with their beauty and the ethical problem of their violence.

This collection of parables written by an eighteenth-century samurai is a classic of martial arts literature. The tales are concerned with themes such as perception of conflict, self-transformation, the cultivation of chi (life energy), and understanding yin and yang. Some of the parables seem light and fanciful, but they offer the reader valuable lessons on the fundamental principles of the martial arts; "The Mysterious Technique of the Cat" is iconic.
The "demon" in the title story refers to the mythical tengu, who guard the secrets of swordsmanship. A swordsman travels to Mt. Kurama, famous for being inhabited by tengu, and in a series of conversations he learns about mushin (no-mind), strategy, the transformation of chi, and how the path of the sword leads to the understanding of life itself.
The author, Issai Chozanshi, had a deep understanding of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto, as well as insight into the central role of chi in the universe--points that are succinctly explained in William Scott Wilson's fine introduction and extensive endnotes. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to truly understand the philosophical underpinnings of martial arts, and how these principles relate to our existence.