- Reveals the close relationship between the eight basic postures of T'ai Chi and the hexagrams of the I Ching.
- As handed down in the teachings of the Yellow Emperor and Chang San-Feng.
- Explains the physical and spiritual benefits that result from the practice of the Before Heaven T'ai Chi form.
- An essential reference book for any serious student of T'ai Chi and the I Ching.
T'ai Chi is a physical expression of Taoist thought--a philosophy in motion. The relationship between the I Ching, Taoist philosophy, and T'ai Chi is well established in many of the classical texts and teachings handed down by the Yellow Emperor and Chang San-Feng, yet it has essentially remained a mystery in the West. Stuart Alve Olson, a longtime student of renowned T'ai Chi Ch'uan Master T. T. Liang, shows how the hexagrams of the I Ching relate to the eight basic postures of T'ai Chi, and how together they comprise the orderly sequence of the postures in the Before Heaven T'ai Chi form. The practice of this form initiates a process of internal alchemy that allows for the stimulation and accumulation of chi through the major energy systems of the body. Physically, this process restores youthful flexibility. Spiritually, it frees the mind to roam the sublime Tao.
Because the Before Heaven sequence of postures is the foundation of all T'ai Chi forms, this book provides valuable advice for all practitioners, regardless of the style they practice or the depth of their experience. An essential reference book for any serious student of Taoism, "T'ai Chi According to the I Ching" is an invaluable guide to how even the most esoteric aspects of Chinese philosophy are firmly rooted in a physical practice.

Unlike most t'ai chi books, which focus strictly on how to do the t'ai chi forms, "T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom " presents a personal, practical view of this intriguing martial art. Lehrhaupt shares illuminating stories from her own life and the lives of her students that show how t'ai chi can be a vehicle for profound self-discovery and spiritual growth.
In learning to master each body posture, t'ai chi students often confront self-doubt, frustration, and the desire to compete and compare themselves to others--problems that also arise in daily life. Lehrhaupt shows how these and other obstacles provide valuable opportunities to deepen awareness and recognize the striking continuities between practice and everyday life.
Each section of the book includes practical exercises designed to enhance students' understanding of t'ai chi movements, and a helpful appendix answers many frequently asked questions about t'ai chi training such as how to find a teacher and how to balance practice with family life. Full of useful insights and guidance, "T'ai Chi as a Path of Wisdom " will be a valuable companion for all students of this increasingly popular martial art.

A fifth-degree black belt in the revolutionary martial art of aikido and co-owner of an aikido school in Mill Valley, California, George Leonard is, "the granddaddy of the consciousness movement" (Newsweek). Leonard is president of the Esalen Institute and founder of Leonard Energy Training (LET), a practice inspired by aikido that offers alternative ways of coping with everyday issues. In this book he applies ancient techniques, physical and spiritual, to the battles we wage every day in both our public and private lives. Along the way, Leonard shows us unique and effective ways to: * cope with sudden, often brutal, setbacks in our lives--and turn them into gifts for growth * develop ki, or positive energy, to enhance vitality * use the aikido principle of "blending" to deal with verbal and psychological attacks With an already large following, George Leonard now brings the valuable wisdom of aikido to a wider audience.

Martial Arts After Forty is the first book ever to explore the needs and advantages of the over-forty martial artist. It takes an in-depth look at the realities of training in mid-life including: * What type of exercises are beneficial and which ones are dangerous? * What are the effects of aging and what impact do they have on training? * How can baby boomers keep up in a class of Gen-Xers? * What types of injuries are common after forty and how can you prevent them? In addition to providing a wealth of fitness and training information, author Sang H. Kim addresses the fact that many older martial artists are looking for something more meaningful than just a good workout. His positive and knowledgeable approach to taking up or continuing martial arts training after 40 is inspiring, reassuring and informative. This book should be read by every adult martial artist regardless of age.

Teaching: The Way of the Master is the classic text for martial arts instructors. In a revolutionary approach, Sang H. Kim Ph.D has blended his extensive knowledge of martial art training with modern and classical teaching methodology to create a system of teaching martial arts for the 21st century.

The authors have divided pulmonary tuberculosis into twelve of it's most prominent characteristic symptoms, and given a plenary treatment of each symptom, believing that in doing so it would greatly aid the practitioner in successfully combating it's fatal ravages: General atonic condition of the body; Emaciation; Debility; Haemoptysis; Asthma; Hectic fever; Night Sweats; Aphthae; Diarrhoea; Pain; and, Bed sores. The pathology of the disease has been entirely omitted, it being so fully written in our works on pathology, which are n hands of every practitioner. In writing the treatment of each symptom, the authors have collected together from textbooks and journals a vast amount of information that has been written on this disease, and put in such shape that the busy physician and student can grasp and utilise it at once, without having to search over their whole library whenever a case presents itself for treatment.

Tai chi employs slow and graceful movements that have been shown to reduce stress, tone muscles, improve balance and circulation and combat fatigue. This manual illustrates and explains each movement, offering a simple tai chi workout that can be performed in ordinary clothes, at any time or place.

Aikido is the "Art of Peace", a discipline that emphasizes harmony and the peaceful resolution of conflict, practiced by over a hundred thousand Westerners. Far more than a self-defense technique, Aikido is a physical and spiritual discipline that aims at unifying the body and spirit with the natural forces of the universe, fostering compassion, wisdom, and fearlessness. This book serves as an accessible introduction to the basic principles and practices of this popular martial art. The topics covered include the biography of the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) - perhaps history's greatest warrior - highlighting the key events that led to the development of Aikido; the fundamental training methods and techniques, illustrated by dozens of photographs; the philosophical and spiritual dimensions; the distinctive styles of the principal schools; a glossary of words commonly encountered; and suggestions for further reading.

The complete presentation of the system developed by Wally Jay, this book brings together elements from different arts, Jay's broad-based yet focused and effective system incorporates theories, principles, and techniques essential to the development of every martial artist, whether a novice or a seasoned veteran. In this definitive instructional text, Jay covers the history of small-circle jujitsu; techniques for warm-ups, falling and resuscitation; details on weaknesses of the human body; locking techniques for wrists, fingers, arms, and legs; throwing and choking techniques; and self-defense against strikes, chokes, body grabs, and wrist grabs.

Capoeira began as a martial art developed by enslaved Afro-Brazilians. Today, the practice incorporates song, dance, acrobatics, and theatrical improvisation-and leads many participants into activism. Lauren Miller Griffith's extensive participant observation with multiple capoeira groups informs her ethnography of capoeiristas--both individuals and groups--in the United States. Griffith follows practitioners beyond their physical training into social justice activities that illuminate capoeira's strong connection to resistance and subversion. As both individuals and communities of capoeiristas, participants march against racial discrimination, celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, organize professional clothing drives for job seekers, and pursue economic and environmental justice in their neighborhoods. For these people, capoeira becomes a type of serious leisure that contributes to personal growth, a sense of belonging, and an overall sense of self, while also imposing duties and obligations. An innovative look at capoeira in America, Graceful Resistance reveals how the practicing of an art can catalyze action and transform communities.

Through the ages, the samurai have been associated with honor, fearlessness, calm, decisive action, strategic thinking, and martial prowess. Their ethos is known as "bushido," the Way of the Warrior-Knight.
Here, premier translator Thomas Cleary presents a rich collection of writings on bushido by warriors, scholars, political advisors, and educators from the fifteenth century through the nineteenth century that provide a comprehensive, historically rich view of samurai life and philosophy. "Training the Samurai Mind "gives an insider's view of the samurai world: the moral and psychological development of the warrior, the ethical standards they were meant to uphold, their training in both martial arts and strategy, and the enormous role that the traditions of Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism had in influencing samurai ideals.
The writings deal with a broad range of subjects--from military strategy and political science, to personal discipline and character development. Cleary introduces each piece, putting it into historical context, and presents biographical information about the authors. This is an essential read for anyone interested in military history and samurai history, and for martial artists who want to understand strategy.

The Ninjas today are the stuff of myth and legend in comics, film and electronic games. But once they were real, the medieval equivalent of the SAS: spies, saboteurs, assassins. In their secrecy, under-cover skills and determination to survive, they were the opposite of the overt, self destructive samurai. Could they fly? Make themselves invisible? Of course not.It was just that their skills gave them a magical aura. As a result, martial artists and story-tellers have turned them into fantasy creatures, from James Bond to Mutant Turtles. In Ninja John Man goes in search of the truth. In a journey to the heartland of the ninjas, he takes us from their origins over 1,000 years ago, through their heyday in the civil wars that ended with Japan's unification in 1600. But that was not the end of the ninja ethos. That re-emerged in World War Two as a little-known counterpart to Japanese militarism. Ninja ways live on in the real 'last of the ninjas', Hiroo Onoda, who held out in the Philippine jungle for 30 years.

'A wholly new perspective to finding balance and success' - Nir Eyal 'I highly reccommend it' - John Maeda, Chief experience officer, Publicis Group and author of How to Speak Machine: Laws of Design for a Digital Age Smash your targets * Annihilate the competition * Choose your battles Have you ever wondered why we use metaphors derived from war and conflict so often at work? What impact does that have on how we conduct business, our culture, our stress levels and ultimately our ability to succeed? For too long war has cast a spell on how we think about business, with negative implications for us, the companies we work in and on the planet. Drawing on the philosophy of Wing Tsun, an ancient Chinese martial art based on the idea that fighting is fundamentally bad, John Vincent and Julian Hitch challenge some of our deepest-held assumptions and show us how to unlearn many ideas and behaviours that are preventing our personal and professional growth. Instead of embracing force as the long accepted route to success, Winning Not Fighting offers as a transformational guide to work and life by inspiring positivity, simplicity and focus. "Unites business and martial arts in a realistic, practical and intelligent way. It's capitalism, but not as we know it." - Benjamin Zephaniah

"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.

This is the story of Master Wu and the esoteric sword practice he learned at the White Cloud Monastery in Beijing. It opens this practice to the outside world for the first time, explaining its history, theory, cosmology, and practice in great detail.The Eight Immortals'Revolving Sword goes back for seventeen generations, starting with Wang Chongyang, the founder of the Complete Reality school and martial arts champion of the Song dynasty, and actively continued through Qiu Chuji and other senior Daoist lineage holders. Practicing sword to attain immortality is a profound Daoist method. Master Wu shares his insights and practice instructions as a way of self-cultivation, illuminating the power of the practice to drive away inauspicious energies, eliminate harmful incidents, and safeguard against ghosts. Able to harness good fortune, practice of this sword set enhances inner communication and creates an intimate connection with the universe.In traditional Chinese fashion, Master Wu guides the reader through the ins and outs of the history, folklore, and technique of this sword practice, focusing especially on the figures of the Eight Immortals and explaining their legends, practices, and feats in great detail. Along the way, he highlights the hidden jewels of training with insightful commentaries on various parables, thereby to bring out the essence of Dao. He succeeds masterfully at braiding together his unique training history and deep Daoist insights with treasured traditional stories, creating a thrilling account and setting a palpable example of Daoisms' best kept inner secrets as brought to life in actual experiences today.

In the practice of karate, throughout the world and all levels, there is one sure constant - the Kata. These formal sequences of karate techniques form the basis of all proper practice, and their range in degree of difficulty means that they can be taught throughout a student's career. This new edition, which first appeared as two separate volumes, covers the first thirteen Shotokan Kata:Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Heian Godan, Tekki Shodan, Bassai-Dai, Empi, Sochin, Jion, Hangetsu and Nijushiho. Fully illustrated with photographs of each move, the accompanying text explains each sequence fully and clearly with a thorough investigationof the Kata's 'bunkai' or application. The authors concentrate not only on physical conditioning, but also on the correct mental and spiritual attitude. Complete with an exploration of the historical background and development of the Kata, this book will prove indispensable to all students of karate.

Wing Chun, also called Ving Tsun, is a popular system of kung fu designed centuries ago by a Buddhist nun and Shaolin master. Together, the two volumes of "The Wing Chun Compendium "offer a complete guide to the discipline, from theory and philosophy to drills and forms. In this volume, author Wayne Belonoha takes students to the next level, focusing on the final three and most advanced forms of the Wing Chun system and their associated skills: the "Mook Yan Jong" or wooden man; the "Lok Dim Boon Quan" or six-and-a-half point long pole; and the "Baat Cham Dao" or eight-cut sword form, demonstrated here for the first time by Grandmaster Sunny Tang. Also included are distance and angle improvement drills, fighting strategy and training, instruction on proper body mechanics, and "Sticking Hands" techniques. While intended for the serious practitioner, "The Wing Chun Compendium, Volume Two "also teaches the basics of body movement, psychological components of practice and performance, and how to use martial arts for overall self-improvement--factors that can help any martial artists seeking to enhance their physical and mental development. The book includes hundreds of tips and techniques as well as 400 photographs.

Resolved to give up spying for good, Mrs Pollifax can't stop herself agreeing to carry a small object to an agent in Thailand, and get one in return. The moment she lands, Mrs P. is horrified to find her contact dead and her husband kidnapped. The next thing she knows, she's tramping through the unfamiliar Thai countryside, led by a curious fellow who may be trying to help her find her husband. Or he may have other, more sinister plans ... Armed with only an open mind and a little karate, Mrs Pollifax is the most unlikely and lovable of international spies. What readers are saying: "Love, love, love Mrs Pollifax. Ms Gilman has an extraordinary way of keeping you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages of her books." "How can a sweet little old lady get into so much trouble? Mrs Pollifax is a gem and a hoot!" "A book that gives you a big smile on every page. I'm looking forward to my next Mrs Pollifax adventure." "Who wouldn't fall in love with a senior citizen who wears absurd hats, pushes the book cart at the hospital, and knows karate?" "I first read the Mrs Pollifax books when I was a little girl and I keep coming back to read the books again and again." "Read it, it's the best thing you can do for yourself. It's like a reminder of the zest for life." Editorial reviews: "Mrs Pollifax is an enchantress." New York Times "Mrs Pollifax gives Agatha Christie's Miss Marple a rival to reckon with." Toronto Star "Filled with adventures-and misadventures-but through it all Mrs Pollifax is triumphant." Booklist "Absorbing and worthwhile ... You won't want to put the book down." Portland Telegram "The pace never flags, bolstered by the shrewd Mrs P. and a host of well-defined characters who all work their surprising wiles." Publishers Weekly "Should delight you whether you're looking for smiles or thrills." New York Times Book Review "All's right with the world as long as Mrs Pollifax is part of it." Mobile Register

This straight forward, easy-to-use book lays out a simple, basic chi-gung regimen for daiily practice. The handbook includes warm-up exercises, movement forms, and meditations to be done daily to promote overall health and increase vitality.

The essence of ninjutsu, explored by the world's most famous living ninja grandmaster. In his classic work Masaaki Hatsumi reveals the hidden secrets and truths about this mysterious and fascinating Japanese martial art. He looks at the traditions, training, and techniques, then shows how this knowledge will lead readers to an understanding of two essential principles: that ninjutsu is the very foundation of the martial arts; and that ninjutsu illuminates its true spiritual significance. Now in paperback, the book features detailed demonstration photos, sidebars on many topics related to ninjutsu, and new material by Hatsumi explaining the relevance of ninjutsu in today's world.