Best Karate, Vol.5: Heian, Tekki


Masatoshi Nakayama - 1979
    Kata, the formal exercises of karate training, were the essence of practice in Okinawa and China, and are the core training method even today.Detailed here in 1500 sequential photos are the five Heian and three Tekki kata, mastery of which is necessary to attain first dan.Demonstrated by the author and Yoshiharu Osaka.

Dead or Alive: The Choice is Yours - The Definitive Self-Protection Handbook


Geoff Thompson - 1997
    Murderers, rapists and muggers reveal why they target certain people, which crimes are opportunistic and which are premeditated. This edition has been thoroughly revised.

Flashing Steel: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordmanship


Masayuki Shimabukuro - 1995
    It manages to emphasize a melding of the Eastern philosophy and the technique of the art, in a marvelously eloquent yet concise manner. Flashing Steel describes and pictures forty-two kata (formal training patterns) which govern this system, with ten partner exercises applying iadid principles in realistic attack and defense systems. These kata are also widely practiced by students of kendo, aikido, and other martial arts which use swordsmanship.

The Sword and the Mind, The Classic Japanese Treatise on Swordsmanship and Tactics


Yagyu Munenori - 1986
    As you will discover in The Sword & the Mind, this pivotal seventeenth-century how-to guide for the swordsman is also a penetrating philosophical and psychological treatise on strategy. Yagyu Munenori's step-by-step instructions for positioning, striking—with one and two swords—and defending oneself against an opponent can be applied with equal success to many types of conflict, from sword fight to political struggle to business competition.The techniques and disciplines presented in this classic of tactical and strategic wisdom were developed and refined by three of Japan's greatest swordsman: Kamiizumi Hidetsuna (1508-1577), who founded the Shinkage school of swordsmanship; his greatest student Yagyu Muneyoshi (1529-1606), who further perfected many of Hidetsuna's techniques; and Muneyoshi's son, Munenori (1571-1646), who set down this timeless masterpiece to be passed on from teacher to student.In this exquisite translation, P.E.N. translation award winner Hiroaki Sato brings the legacy of these three superior swordsmen to the modern Western reader. With more than 25 black-and-white illustrations, glossary, chronology, bibliography, and comprehensive annotations The Sword & the Mind illuminates the lives and times of the three masters as well as the cultural and philosophical landscape in which they lived.

The Spirit of Aikido


Kisshomaru Ueshiba - 1984
    This book explains it in reference to the founder's philosophy of mind-and action. In addition, the history of aikido's prewar development as a non-competitive new martial art is described, with a consideration of its international role.

The Swordsman's Companion


Guy Windsor - 2004
    This book covers everything from choosing a sword, to warming up, to fencing. Full of set drills and clear descriptions, this book has been the standard work on the subject since it first came out in 2004. The second edition has been updated and revised.

The Anatomy of Martial Arts: An Illustrated Guide to the Muscles Used for Each Strike, Kick, and Throw


Lily Chou - 2010
    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

Wing Chun Kung Fu


J. Yimm Lee - 1972
    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.

Krav Maga: An Essential Guide to the Renowned Method--for Fitness and Self-Defense


David Kahn - 2004
    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.

Complete Krav Maga: The Ultimate Guide to Over 230 Self-Defense and Combative Techniques


Darren Levine - 2007
    Whether you are big or small, male or female, young or old, you can use Krav Maga to protect yourself by exploiting an assailant’s vulnerabilities. Learning Krav Maga will give you the fitness, skills and confidence to feel safer and more secure every day.All the moves in Complete Krav Maga—from beginner Yellow Belt to advanced Brown Belt—are described in depth and illustrated with step-by-step photos:•BeginnerPunches, kicks, knee strikes and basic defense movements•IntermediateFurther self-defense moves, counterattacks, and defenses against knives, guns and sticks•AdvancedAll weapon defenses, groundfighting techniques and advanced strikes

Kodokan Judo: The Essential Guide to Judo by Its Founder Jigoro Kano


Jigoro Kano - 1986
    This book by the creator of Kodokan judo is uniquely comprehensive and the most authoritative guide to this martial art ever published.

The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days to Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way


Yan Ming - 2006
    A 34th generation Shaolin Warrior monk from China's Shaolin Temple—the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the mecca of all martial arts—Yan Ming teaches the students at his USA Shaolin Temple that there is no better workout program than his brand of kung fu for getting the body and mind into warrior condition.Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of four-color photographs, the warrior workout, distills a lifetime of Shaolin training and wisdom into a 28-day workout. The Shaolin Workout is a complete-unto-itself program of both fitness and spiritual lessons can be applied to every aspect of one's life: work, relationships, family.Kung fu gives a superb aerobic workout at the same time that it dramatically increases flexibility, power, and speed.. The ultimate promise of the book is this: readers who stick to the plan for 28 days—for as little as 15 minutes a day—will be transformed inside and out. And the enormous sense of accomplishment that results will radiate through their life, allowing them to tackle the world with a warrior's confidence, calm, and poise.

Ultimate Flexibility: A Complete Guide to Stretching for Martial Arts


Sang H. Kim - 2004
    It teaches you nearly 200 flexibility exercises that he has personally used to achieve the highest levels of flexibility.

Wing Chun Kung Fu: Traditional Chinese Kung Fu for Self-Defense and Health


Ip Chun - 1998
    By using the skills of Wing Chun Kung Fu, a smaller and weaker person can easily overcome a larger strong opponent. With its focus on technique rather than force, it is suitable for both men and women, young and old, and for those of all levels of physical fitness. Grandmaster Ip Chun is regarded as the world's leading authority on Wing Chun. Bruce Lee--Wing Chun's most famous student--was taught by Ip Chun's father, Grandmaster Ip Man. Michael Ise is also a highly respected Qigong and martial arts master. Together they demonstrate that first form of Wing Chun (Siu Lim Tao) and show how it can be used for self-denence. They also outline the history and the art of Wing Chun and discuss its many other benefits, which includeIncreased Energy and VitalityGreater Confidence and Inner StrengthAn Understanding of the Skills and Benefits of MeditationWith expert instruction and more than 100 step-by-step photographs, Wing Chun Kung Fu makes it easy to master the power and grace of this ancient martial art.

Meditation for Warriors


Loren W. Christensen - 2013
    Nor do you need to burn incense or rub crystals.This book shows you easy ways to meditate whenever and wherever you want—you’ll learn how to do it without anyone knowing—and still hang out with your military pals, cop buddies, and fellow martial arts students. You can still own a pit bull, drive a Harley, and share lies with your drinking buddies. The same is true whether you’re a firefighter, doorman, bodyguard, medic, or security officer. The simple fact is, meditation as taught within these pages, will make you a better warrior.