Your strongest posture is the one that fits your constitution.That cannot be taught to you, you have to find it for yourself. It is not a question of widening your stance or narrowing it, if the truth be told.But, people will do what is comfortable for them, so if you allow them to, they will just make it up for themselves. That is why, you must always return to the basics.This is what is important.-Gozo ShiodaAikido students and enthusiasts the world over will be delighted with this English translation of Gozo Shioda's hidden principles, finally made available by the Yoshinkan school of aikido. An outstanding student of aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, Shioda, who taught thousands of people in his lifetime, left a profound legacy, successfully teaching the spiritual and practical applications of a martial art that could all too easily become mired in one or the other.In this sequel to Dynamic Aikido, the preeminent master continues his explanation of the essential principles but in finer detail. Comprehensive and fully illustrated, Total Aikido covers the basic postures and movements with special emphasis on certain key points for perfecting one's technique to achieve maximum effect with the minimum of effort. Demonstrations are provided in a dojo setting, with helpful pointers for avoiding common mistakes. To enable students to develop greater strength and control, they are shown how to increase their speed, shift their center of gravity, and synchronize movements with those of their opponents.This is an essential work for students of all levels, a treasury of expert information.

    This is the simplest and easiest way to break down and simplify the many and varied ideas, philosophies and combinations in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu arsenal. For both competition jiu jitsu and self defense jiu jitsu most white belts need to fully understand the concepts, but it can be VERY confusing!Here is a short list of a few of the questions students ask, that are covered in depth: What is the guard and how do we utilize it best? What options do we have from guard? Why is posture and distance important? The mount is a powerful position but how do I get there? ... And when I do get there, how do I stay there?>>>Zen Jiu Jitsu - White to Blue Answers these Questions and Many More... It covers, Core Principles, Drilling techniques, Choosing a School, Technique Concepts, Tactical Considerations and more. It even includes some technique chains and Maps for the white belt to try when doing specific training or sparring.>>>Don't forget every black belt started out as a white belt. This manual also covers the motivational strategies to keep you moving along the path and towards becoming a competent blue belt.This is a great manual for anyone just starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Traditional Jiu Jitsu, MMA and Grappling.

    His book shows his deep involvement and dedication to my family's art." Roger Gracie - 10-Times Jiu Jitsu World Champion, Greatest Jiu Jitsu Competitor of all-time "Nic covers a lot of topics in The Black Belt Blueprint that I've never seen touched on by other BJJ books, and I've read more than a few: how to train smart, the physical aspects of the art, training for the long term journey rather than how to rep out until your body breaks down. He also looks at the mental approach required to get as much out of BJJ as you can - and trust me, that's a lot!" Oliver Geddes - BJJ Black Belt "The Black Belt Blue Print" is a must have for true students of jiu jitsu. Concise, yet comprehensive, it's the guidebook I secretly yearned for when I began training. With wisdom and experience on every page, this book will enhance your journey in the gentle art." Roy Dean - BJJ Black Belt Written by Roger Gracie's first black belt and founder of the Jiu Jitsu Brotherhood, Nicolas Gregoriades, this is a comprehensive guide to the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It features a detailed and holistic approach to the training methods, techniques and concepts which underpin the art.

    In China, it is also used extensively for the prevention and treatment of illnesses, and its beneficial effects on health and fitness are now widely recognized in the West. The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan is a comprehensive and fascinating guide to the practical application and potential benefits of Tai Chi Chuan. This tai chi guide is packed with step-by-step illustrations for practice at home and covers everything you would want to know about this ancient art, including its benefits for mental, spiritual and emotional development. It is both an ideal introductory guide and an invaluable reminder for those who have already taken classes. Topics in The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan include:Tai Chi Chuan as a Martial ArtThe Concept of Yin-Yang and Tai Chi ChuanThe Historical Development of the Various StylesAdvice from the Great MastersTechniques and Skills of Pushing HandsSpecific Techniques for Combat SituationsTaoism and Spiritual Development in Tai Chi ChuanAnd much more

    Answers your questions about important topics including: why some diets are harmful for martial artists; how to calculate your protein needs for training; when and how to use supplements; how to eat at fast food places and not ruin your diet; why it's okay to splurge on 'Dirt Day'; and, how to safely make weight for a tournament.

    The result is an enthralling combination of powerful technical wisdom and the philosophical elucidation offered to martial artists by Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and Taoism. From the metaphor of the Four Elements and fundamentals of physical practice and strategy to an offering of Zen wisdom on the "way" of nature, "Musashi's Book of Five Rings" is as profound and important a book on martial arts as you will find.

    J. Barnes shows you how to maximize your martial arts speed using his exclusive Speed Loop training system. Based on proven concepts of martial arts masters, such as Bruce Lee, Speed Training for Martial Arts contains advanced training methods to help you develop superior speed and reflexes for competition and self-defense. Your martial arts training should emphasize the complete and total development of the Speed Loop if you want world-class speed and reflexes. Speed Training for Martial Arts will show you how to isolate, transform, maximize, and integrate every component of the Speed Loop including: Visual Reflexes; Tactile Reflexes; Auditory Reflexes; Adaptation Speed; Initiation Speed; Movement Speed; Alteration Speed; and Hampering Speed.

    Swift, powerful, and simple, it is an effective method for fending off any kind of attacker—and it is also an amazing workout.Regardless of size, strength, and fitness level, anyone can master the essentials of krav maga—and reap the rewards of increased safety, confidence, and conditioning. With moves you can learn in as little as five minutes, or train and practice for long-term success, Krav Maga covers all the below:*What is Krav Maga all about*Instruction on how to protect your body's vulnerable target and learn weapons defense combat*Use an opponent's momentum to fuel your counterattack*Escape all kinds of grips and holds*Combine training punches, kicks, and other moves into a powerful conditioning workout---to lose weight, increase core strength, and improve muscle tone *Use specially designed drills and a 12-week training program to become a kravist---a smart and prepared fighterWritten by one of America's foremost krav maga experts, this exciting new guide opens the door to an empowering and important set of techniques that you or anyone can master.

    This groundbreaking manual on Systema Breathing presents step-by-step training drills given to you in a thorough and comprehensive way. You will learn the unique methodology of Systema Breathing and get the foundation for every physical activity of your daily life. Whether you are looking to raise your athletic skills to the next level, or wish to increase your potential and to enjoy life, this is your tool to uncover the endless reserve of energy, health and happiness. At the same time, it is very easy reading, full of entertaining stories and thought provoking ideas.

    Falling Hard is Law’s love letter to judo—the culture, drama, history, and practice. With journalistic zeal, he delves deeply into the sport’s history and lore, and interweaves his own judo experiences with the development of judo in Japan, the life and vision of its founder Jigoro Kano, the export of judo to the West, the emergence of women in the sport, and detailed descriptions of competition on the world championship and Olympic levels. Law’s account is as much for the sports writing fan and armchair enthusiast as for the judo practitioner. With humor and skill, he describes grueling training sessions and matches (including his own), famous Olympic bouts, and legendary rivalries between judo players and national teams, and he speculates on the future of the sport.

    The techniques, methods, and rituals of the budo can provide invaluable lessons for today's martial artists—and serve as guides to a well-lived life.In Traditions, Davy Lowry discusses unique aspects of the budo ranging from hacho, or deliberate asymmetry, to uke-waza, the art of "receiving" an attack. The spirit of ryomi, the process of self-evaluation and improvement, is illustrated through the story of Kaofujita, a master swordsman who never stopped practicing the first movement he learned. You'll also learn the importance of yuyo, the distance where an attacker must focus his strike, from the story of Jubei, whose mastery of yuyo saved him in a life-and-death encounter, and the significance of shikaku—, the dead zone, on maintaining balance in combat and in life.With its focus on traditional Japanese martial arts, and fascinating stories that illustrate key principles and martial arts philosophy,Traditions will be required reading for serious martial artists.

    Its color drawings, helpful photos and clear text make it easy to identify the specific muscles you need to train for maximum speed, power and accuracy. More than just an anatomy book, each section is accompanied by exercises and stretches to strengthen muscles, prevent injury and improve form. •Kicks •Strikes •Takedowns •Throws The Anatomy of Martial Arts is designed for a variety of disciplines, including: •Hapkido •Jiujitsu •Judo •Karate •Kendo •Kung Fu •Muay Thai •Taekwando

    Karate-do Nyumon is the result of Master Funakoshi's wish to clarify Karate thought and practice for those who know nothing about it. It comprises unpublished writings from the years before his death in 1957, together with simplified kata-sequences of movements-synthesized by Funakoshi from the traditional Okinawa Karate-do kata, for beginners.Master Funakoshi begins by exploding some of the myths of Karate:Karate-do is a noble martial art, and the reader can rest assured that those who take pride in breaking boards or smashing tiles, or who boast of being able to perform outlandish feats like stripping flesh or plucking out ribs, really know nothing about karate. They are playing around in the leaves and branches of a great tree, without the slightest concept of the trunk.In his description of what Karate is, the Master describes the history of Karate-its origins in the ancient methods of unarmed combat in China, and its growth as a fighting method in Okinawa, a country where arms were banned in a succession of decrees from the Japanese mainland. In order to prevent it being subjected to control, or more importantly, to prevent the Japanese overlords from knowing and using the techniques, the practice of Karate was kept a secret. To preserve this secrecy, the habit persisted until very recent times of keeping no records. Master Funakoshi, however, recognized in this book and others the need to formulate the kata precisely, so as to establish a standard of true Okinawan Karate. The kata in this book are not traditional kata, but they serve to establish the correct habits of stance, thought and action, and to facilitate the eventual mastery of the true Karate-do kata. All these special kata are clearly explained and illustrated by photos.Lastly, Master Funakoshi recalls stories of men who were living legends when he was a youth in Okinawa, men whose reputations overcame even the secrecy that clung to Karate until the middle of this century.

    Known as budo taijutsu, these specialized moves allow the practitioner to evade and receive an attack even from an opponent wielding a sword. Hatsumi covers such topics as Kihon Happo (Eight Basic Movements), Kosshijutsu (Attacks Against Muscles), Koppojutsu (Attacks Against Bones), Jutaijutsu (Flexible Body Arts), Daken Taijutsu (Fist Punching and Striking), Ninpo Taijutsu (Bodily Arts of the Ninja), discussing and demonstrating the many techniques which will enable the fighter to punch, kick and finally lock or control the body of his adversary.As Hatsumi tells us, the techniques have been secretly passed down from the masters to their students for more than a century, and have become the foundations for a range of other martial arts including judo, karate and aikido. This book will thus enhance the readers understanding of the roots of these various disciplines as well as provide fascinating insights into the spirit of the way of the warrior and the martial arts. Includes over 300 step-by-step photos and rare drawings.

    Wing Chun Kung-Fu continues to set the standard for martial arts instructional books, and it has become the perennial study guide for kung fu enthusiasts of all skill levels.