In our post-feminist society, nothing is hotter than women who not only do so called guy things, but take it one step further and do alpha male things, while at the same time still retain their classical femininity. Femininity is changing and women who participate in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) have become the new sex symbols. Through poetry, this work celebrates three well known female MMA stars.

From Bullied To Black Belt is the true sometimes harrowing, always emotional but in the end, triumphant story of a man's journey. Since a very early age author Simon Morrell was the victim of merciless bullying. His torment continued into his adulthood when the taunting became violent assault. At one point an attempted stabbing was made on him by a vicious youth hell bent on damaging Simon. After more beatings Simon eventually succumbed to agoraphobia and panic attacks and seemed destined to live the life of the meek, a man afraid to leave his house and not daring to expand past his small comfort zone. However, something within him refused to accept defeat and with the help of his wife, the mild mannered man embarked upon a journey in Martial Arts. His original goal was to try and find confidence but he surprised all around him by excelling. Simon became one of the U.K.'s leading Fight Masters obtaining 6th Dan Black Belt and twice being entered into the Hall of Fame. From Bullied To Black Belt whilst written by a Martial Artist is so much more than a book about Martial Arts. It is a story of a man finding himself when all seemed lost, it is a love story that may break your heart, it is a story that will leave you in tears but it is a story that will eventually leave you inspired. The film of the book is now in development in the United States, renamed Fight Back. Simon and From Bullied To Black Belt will tell readers that with courage, anything can be attained.

A rare in-depth look at the history, teachings, and wider implications of Wing Chun Wing Chun In-Depth offers an historical overview of the art's development, it examines how to properly approach training for fighting skills that give you an edge in street defence and it presents Wing Chun's underlying principles and strategies as a way of life for health and happiness. This work traces the lives and legends of the great masters of Wing Chun, it reveals their training techniques and philosophies, and shows the reader how they can be applied in all aspects of life. Written in an enjoyable and readable way, Wing Chun In-Depth shares profound insights, training drills and martial techniques that will improve your fighting foundation; it connects you to the great masters of Wing Chun-their lives, their martial teachings, and their philosophies. In the end, it is intended to inspire and enrich readers with history, practical skills, and a winning mindset for all of life's challenges. Contents include Part 1 The origins of Wing Chun from its legendary past. Its historical development and its present evolution from Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung. Insight into Bruce Lee's relationship with Wing Chun, Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung. Part 2 Forms, training drills, and techniques that can be used to develop oneself into a skilled fighter. Part 3 Explores the strategic and martial fruits of Wing Chun as a practice which provides both skills for combat and strategies for life. Startling truths that enrich life inside and outside the training hall (kwoon). Ip Man's senior student, Wong Shun-Leung was the man who made Wing Chun famous in Hong Kong's challenge matches. He was also a close friend and mentor to Bruce Lee. This book's author, Sifu Loukas Kastrounis, one of the few active teachers of this lineage, is a highly respected Wing Chun teacher who has spent his life honing and developing Wing Chun. "Written at the request, and in collaboration with Sifu Loukas Kastrounis-a third generation master of the Wong Shun-Leung lineage, it is the fruit of over 5 years of my careful observations and research into Loukas's teachings as both his student and as a professional historian."-Munawar Ali Karim

Inner Bushido concisely and assertively challenges many long-held assumptions surrounding Samurai ethics, while offering a practical re-interpretation of the so-called seven virtues of Bushido. Hannon takes a starkly unorthodox approach to exploring this esteemed system of values and offers a refreshing, non-dogmatic, and intellectually honest analysis of the Samurai code of conduct, making it applicable to the daily lives of Western audiences. Readers will be surprised at some of Hannon's contentions that often fly in the face of presumed "virtue." Not just for martial arts practitioners, this book is for anyone interested in exploring human relations, ethics, and cultivating true strength without conflict.

"The Complete Book of Five Rings" is an authoritative version of Musashi's classic "The Book of Five Rings, " translated and annotated by a modern martial arts master, Kenji Tokitsu. Tokitsu has spent most of his life researching the legendary samurai swordsman and his works, and in this book he illuminates this seminal text, along with several other works by Musashi. These include "The Mirror of the Way of Strategy," which Musashi wrote when he was in his twenties; "Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy," and "Forty-two Instructions on Strategy," which were precursors to "The Book of Five Rings;" and "The Way to Be Followed Alone," which Musashi wrote just days before his death. Read together, these five texts give readers an unusually detailed, nuanced view of Musashi's ideas on swordsmanship, strategy, and self-cultivation.
Tokitsu puts all these writings into historical and philosophical context and makes them accessible and relevant to today's readers and martial arts students. Tokitsu understands Musashi's writings--and Musashi as a martial artist--unusually well and is able to provide a rare insight into the man and his historical contribution.

Out of the violent chaos of medieval Japan, a remarkable band of peasants rose to become the world's most feared warriors--trained to perfect the art of ninjutsu, the deadly union of martial arts and deception. Today, however, these real life ninjas are overshadowed by legend and pop culture caricatures. Could they fly? Climb walls? Make themselves invisible?

Drawing on a wealth of historical texts, local Japanese sources, and his own comprehensive treks across Asia, acclaimed author John Man takes us back to the ninjas' origins in China, through to their heyday in the bloody civil wars that ended with the unification of Japan in 1600. Man also illuminates the twentieth-century reemergence of the Japanese tradition of shadow warfare through the Nakano Spy School--the elite military-intelligence academy that operated as an extensive spy network during World War II--and reveals one former Nakano soldier, Onoda Hiroo, who may be the last surviving ninja.

Compelling and absorbing, Ninja reveals at last the fascinating true history behind one of the world's most enduring legends.

What if you could speed up your martial arts and self-defense training? What if you could avoid spending precious time on the things that will not help you improve? In this book, bestselling author and expert martial artist Wim Demeere compiles some of the best posts from his blog. He covers martial arts and self-defense as primary topics but also connects them with many other aspects such as training, teaching, health, psychological factors and much more. This volume includes not only updated versions of those posts, it also offers you contributions by other world renowned experts such as: - Loren W. Christensen - Marc MacYoung - Rory Miller - Alain Burrese - Kris Wilder - Mark Mireles This book isn't about untested theories or hypothetical situations but instead focuses on practical advice you can use right away to gain new insights into violence, martial arts and self defense. Wim Demeere and these other authors team up to share the hard-earned knowledge they learned in decades of shedding blood and sweat in both the mean streets and the ring. Some of the articles you'll read in this book are: - MMA sucks, traditional martial arts suck more. - From the Octagon to the Street - How to learn techniques from video - How to piss off your training partner - MMA against multiple opponents - How to avoid shoulder injuries in the martial arts - The limits of martial arts knowledge and skill - Three keys to joint lock success Whatever your fighting art or goal, this thought-provoking book helps you improve your skills and knowledge for years to come.

At its heart, Daoist meditation is a simple and practical method of establishing unity between our internal environment and the external world so that we can engage with life in a clear and present way. Decoding the Dao: Nine Lessons in Daoist Meditation, by Tom Bisio, is a complete and comprehensive guide to Daoist meditation. In Decoding the Dao: Nine Lessons in Daoist Meditation, author Tom Bisio introduces the reader to the poetry and pragmatism of Daoist meditation and the practice of Internal Alchemy. The first half this unique book consists of nine progressive lessons that guide the reader step by step through the practice of Daoist meditation, ending with an introduction to Daoist Internal Alchemy. The nine lessons teach the reader how to observe and transform their own internal landscape, in order to rejuvenate and replenish the body's innate energies, thereby promoting health and nourishing life and spirit. The lessons can be practiced in sequence or individually, providing the reader with a veritable toolbox of meditative practices that can be used flexibly to address different situations and circumstances. Each lesson contains both practice exercises and discussions of relevant topics to flesh out the reasoning behind the various methods of meditation and help the reader more deeply understand the principles and theories that underlie the practice. Beyond the nine lessons, additional chapters introduce advanced practices like the Greater Heavenly Orbit Meditation and other traditional Daoist methods of promoting health and longevity. This is followed by a unique discussion of Daoist symbolism and imagery and its relationship to meditation and internal alchemy. Daoist symbols and images act as a kind of code that, when decoded and understood, aid the meditator, giving him or her an alternative and imagery-rich language which bypasses habitual mental constructs and perceptual habits, facilitating the perception of subtle movements and changes within the

Embedded within the martial art Ba Gua Zhang is a complete system of internal exercises that promote self-healing and longevity and transform consciousness. Ba Gua Nei Gong consists of nine powerful and profound methods of internal exercise and self-cultivation. This book is the first in a series of manuals on Ba Gua Nei Gong. It can be used in conjunction with actual instruction in Ba Gua Zhang, or employed as a stand-alone instruction manual. Yin Yang Patting Nei Gong is often the starting point for learning Ba Gua Zhang and for the practice of Nei Gong and other Yang Sheng (Nourishing Life) Exercises. The primary function of the Patting Nei Gong is to begin to open the meridians by patting and slapping along their trajectories. Unblocking, opening and coursing the meridians in this manner is an important precursor to advanced energetic practices. Dao Yin Nei Gong is often performed in conjunction with the Patting Nei Gong because the two practices have different, yet complimentary actions. While the Patting Nei Gong focuses on dispersing energy blockages and their accompanying muscular tension, Dao Yin Nei Gong emphasizes regulating the internal energetics of the body. The mechanism that promotes and harmonizes the functioning of the internal organs and their organic interconnections is known as the Qi Dynamic. The Dao Yin exercises work directly to regulate the Qi Dynamic, thereby stimulating one's natural healing powers and preventing disease from taking root. This in turn promotes health and proper functioning of the body. These two Nei Gong methods are relatively simple to perform, yet profound in their effect. Patting and Dao Yin work together in a harmonious yin yang balance. In order to properly train the Qi Dynamic, the pathways of the qi (the meridians) must be relatively open and unrestricted. As these energetic pathways are opened, the qi must be regulated so that its movements and actions are smooth and harmonious. These fundamental methods of simul

Whether you are a kendo fanatic or merely curious about the martial arts, this book will interest you. The author, Geoff Salmon, has taken the lessons learned over his 45 year kendo career and distilled them into a series of instructive, thought-provoking articles covering kendo training methods and techniques, as well as the attitudes and philosophies that make kendo a lifetime's pursuit for many people. It highlights some of the differences between kendo training in Japan and other parts of the globe and also includes some light-hearted commentary on this martial sport. At the core of this book are the direct teachings of some of the great 2nd and 3rd generation kendo teachers, which have been either reproduced or paraphrased by the author. Salmon also uses his own experience to guide readers towards developing correct, efficient kendo. Geoff Salmon holds the grade of 7th Dan and is one of the few westerners to have passed the new All Japan Kendo Federation kyoshi examination. He has lived and trained in Japan and has devoted 45 years to the study of kendo. Geoff teaches kendo internationally and writes about the art at www.kendoinfo.net; he is also the author of 'Kendo, A Comprehensive Guide to Japanese Swordsmanship'.

This is the first book on the market to cater to two growing populations, martial artists and baby boomers. Once a blood and guts sport for tough young men, martial arts is now touted by athletes, aerobics trainers, actors, super models and soccer mums as the number one way for adults to get fit and stay in shape. This book addresses important questions like: How old is too old start a marital art?; What type of exercises are best (and which ones are dangerous) for the over-40 martial artist?; What are the effects of ageing and how can martial arts combat them?; How can baby boomers keep up in a martial arts class full of gen-Xers?; What types of injuries are most prevalent after 40 and how can they be prevented? This book takes a positive and enthusiastic approach to taking up or continuing a martial art in middle age or later. Readers will be inspired, reassured and educated.

Taekwondo Kids - From White Belt to Yellow/Green Belt provides you with the first practical guide to the Korean Martial Arts System of Taekwondo and has been specially written with children and youths in mind. It serves as an accompaniment to training as well as providing an introduction to this particular sport. Using simple, easily understood language and numerous appropriate illustrations suitable for children and youths, all the exercises can be carried out or practiced further without any difficulty. Taekwondo Kids is written in the form of a course textbook. The individual sections of the book are arranged according to belt grade, and in addition to the comprehensive lead into the sport itself, all the respective techniques and exercise forms in Taekwondo are included for advancement to the next belt grade in the WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) System.

A rare bilingual (English-Chinese) treatise of Lao Sui's Chu Gar Southern Mantis boxing inside China Meet Lao Sui's family and Chu Gar Mantis pupils in Lao Sui's hometown. Exclusive historical photographs. Origins, history and practices of Chu Gar Mantis as told by Lao Sui's family and others. Chu Gar, Chow Gar and Dongjiang East River Mantis clarification. Details released for the first time - never before published.

Lao Sui and Hakka Mantis on the Map; A Wondering Medicine Man; Lao Sui Finds Chu Gar Mantis Under a Bridge; Stories of Chu Gar History; History as told by Lao Sui's Family; Chu Gar Mantis School of Lao Sui;

Chu Gar Boxing Basic Skills Pictorial

Ma Jiu Hua Sifu; Chen Jian Ming Sifu; Xie Tian Sheng Sifu

Images from Lao Sui's Hometown; Lao Sui Lore

Form Training Pictorial: Som Bo Gin Shadowboxing Form; Som Gin Yu Kiu Shadowboxing Form

Interactive Book and Online Videos Links on page 164

Book Details: Hardcover, Premium Full Color, 168 pages, 136+ Photographs, Bilingual - English / Chinese, Library archive quality, and more

For those with the slightest interest in Southern Praying Mantis Kungfu, the name of Lao Sui holds the mystique of an old fashioned kungfu master who was revered by all to the extent he is often referred to as a "Canton Tiger." Lao Sui's legacy in China has always been called Chu Gar Mantis, just as it is today Discover the Southern Mantis legacy of Lao Sui in China today Get your copy now.

Unlock the powerful secrets of easy Self Protection in "How to Defend Yourself in 3 Seconds or Less: The Self Defence Secrets You NEED to Know." A simple and insightful guide for beginners and experts alike - How to Unlock Your Brain's Secret Power... - How Can You Win Every Single Fight... - The 3 Second Rule (That most people have no idea about)... - How can you train your brain to deal with panic... - Illustrated Techniques - Distraction and Evasion - How to Fight...even when you can't see - The Most Common 'Mistake' with a popular technique... and much more With most violent encounters the ability to defend yourself comes down to a matter of seconds where the right actions can be the difference between life and death. Developed with input from Top Martial Artists and Self Defence experts this illustrated guide reveals the secrets of real Self Defence and exposes the truth behind street violence. All designed to give you straight-forward, practical advice and keep you safe when it counts. Stay safe out there and get the edge today Grab Your Copy Now

For the first time in print, the mysterious transformation process of Standing Meditation is revealed. Filled with tips and tricks to help get more out of training than most practitioners ever thought possible, this book contains a number of concepts and techniques presented for the first time in English. Drawing upon his 7th generation lineage in Chinese Medicine and using straightforward and simple language, Mr. Cohen fills in the missing pieces of the puzzle formerly absent in Zhan Zhuang literature. These include such elements as special masterpoints to relax and release large sections of the body, methods which rapidly create whole-body linkage for any posture; techniques for working with light in the higher energy centers, mechanisms to correct many crucial health problems and special training to develop truly effective martial power. A fast track for beginners. Highly recommended for seasoned practitioners. Take your Zhan Zhuang and Tai Chi to the next level.