The book is a kind of semifictional memoir. Chapters reflect the author's own experiences gained in the pursuit of tai chi and other martial arts. The text flows as a novel, but with substance based solidly in reality applicable to anyone, tai chi practitioner or not, since the main theme is the pursuit of principle in everyday life. Book Description A tai chi student explores the Dao of Zheng Manqing with the aid of his teacher, Laoshi. Through personal accounts, reflection, and dialogue with Laoshi, we witness the novice s evolution in his search for the spirit of the art and the resulting bond forged with his instructor. 
Together, student and teacher examine the philosophical and martial aspects of tai chi. They demonstrate what it means to pursue principle, and they see the ease with which it can be lost to that trickster and provocateur, the ego. 
Engaging, sincere, and at times lighthearted, this fictional memoir narrated from the student s perspective addresses themes familiar to all who study tai chi and the martial arts. 
Laoshi is a journey into tai chi and a meditation on life and living without fear.

Laoshi: Tai Chi, Teachers, and Pursuit of Principle

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Jan Kauskas

Exercise & Fitness

Via Media Publishing

Asian Martial Arts: Constructive Thoughts & Practical Applications represents an international gathering of friends who happen to be highly qualified marital art scholars and practitioners.  This martial arts book is a collection of articles from practitioners who have come together in celebration of the 20-plus years that Journal of Asian Martial Arts has inspired scholarship to higher academic standards while encouraging all aspects of responsible practice. Each article was written specifically for Asian Martial Arts, with topics representing the rich variety found in the Asian martial traditions.

Asian Martial Arts: Constructive Thoughts & Practical Applications

Business & Money

Industries

Ratti and Westbrook present a new direction for the graphic novel in a series that follows the Asian adventures of a Western pilgrim who is influenced by the interaction (sometimes violent) of cultures in the Medieval era. The captivating text, presented

Tales of the Hermit, Volume I: The Castle in the Rain and The Judge (Tales of the Hermit, Volume 1)

Ratti, Oscar

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Asian Martial Arts: Constructive Thoughts &amp; Practical Applications represents an international gathering of friends who happen to be highly qualified martial art scholars and practitioners. This martial arts book is a collection of articles from practitioners who have come together in celebration of the 20-plus years that Journal of Asian Martial Arts has inspired scholarship to higher academic standards while encouraging all aspects of responsible practice. Each article was written specifically for Asian Martial Arts, with topics representing the rich variety found in the Asian martial traditions.

Asian Martial Arts: Constructive Thoughts and Practical Applications

Criminals, police, military forces, and civilians practice martial arts which often utilize weapons. One major difference is weather or not the weapons are handled according to legal guidelines. This special anthology includes insightful writings that focus on aspects of martial arts as they are practiced and used by different people on both sides of the law. Certainly most practicing a martial art are doing so primarily for their health or as a sport. Perhaps they have an interest in self-defense, but often their practice methods are not realistic enough to be truely effective. For this reason, Friman and Polland's first chapter deals with the concern for realistic methods for training martial artists, particularly those involved in law enforcement. In the following chapter on "The Art of Regulation," Dr. Friman argues that the martial arts are more likely to face government regulation when authorities perceive them as posing challenges to the state's monopoly over the means to create and maintain order. In the quest for maintaining order, Alex Levitas shows in the next chapter that martial arts weapons are widely used by police forces in many countries. Applications are illustrated by photographs credited to noted law enforcement pioneers in this area, including Terrence Winston, Robert Fabrey, Roy Bedard, and Robert Koga. Two chapters by Noah Nunberg examine the practical legal aspects of using martial arts techniques while training in the martial arts studio or in defending oneself on the street. Assault and battery are examined in depth as to potential criminal and civil liabilities that may arise. Specific cases and hypothetical situations are referred to for reference and insight. Dr. Rom n and Dr. Garc a write about the scope and legal framework of penitentiary self-defense. This kind of self-defense is defined by the unique characteristics of a confinement context and a very specific regulation aimed at preserving the integrity of prisoners and penitentiary staff, as well as prison facilities. A technical section is also included. In the system known as Comprehensive Penitentiary Defense, Dr. Rom n presents techniques which professionals in this field must master and know how to apply when they face any hazardous situation. These techniques go from peaceful conflict resolution, assertiveness, or body language to joint control, immobilization, or pressures. In the face of regulating martial art practice and weapons useage, the final chapter by Peter Hobart inspects the right to bear arms. Existing criminal laws and recent weapons bans have made it increasingly problematic for legitimate martial artists to own, use, and transport the tools of their trade. This survey of existing state and national weapons laws is intended to help make martial arts practitioners aware of these legal issues. All who read this book-whether involved in professions of law enforcement, military branches, or as a martial arts instructor or practitioner-will find each chapter of vital importance. We hope you will enjoy this anthology as it provides excellent coverage of aspects of the martial arts that are rarely discussed but have profound practicality.

Realistic Martial Arts for Violence and Peace: Law, Enforcement, Defense

Friman Ph.s., H.R.

Polland B.A., R.Polland

Levitas, A.

Nunberg J.D., N.

Román Ph.D., F.R.

García Ph.D., C.G.

Hobart J.D., P.

Russia is rich in martial traditions deriving from a highly diverse population. Sambo—developed by the Soviet Red Army—became the most recognize martial art associated with Russia mainly because of its presence in international competitions. Another style to become recognized for its great practicality and encompassing training regimen is Systema. Originally created for Russian Special Operations Units, Systema’s teaching gradually spread world-wide after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. This anthology contains writings about Systema and Sambo that present essential information for anyone interested in the history, theory, and practice of these combative systems. In the first chapter, Kevin Secours shows that ground fighting and grappling are necessary components of a complete tactical arsenal. Specific emphasis is on the role of defending the takedown in a modern survival scenario. In chapter two he summarizes the prevailing theories and findings pertaining to the science of fear as it relates to surviving violence. How these findings have been interpreted by modern combative systems in the West are compared with approaches to the traditional Russian martial arts and their application in the Russian Special Forces. The next three chapters focus on Sambo. Jacques and Anderson detail the historical development of Sambo. Vasili Sergevich Oshchepkov, a student of Jigoro Kano, and Victor Spiridonov worked to develop this combative system. However, despite the judo-jujutsu influence, Sambo was born of native Russian and other regional grappling and combat wrestling styles bolstered with many useful and adaptable concepts and techniques from the rest of the world. This chapter presents details of the early development up to recent times. The fourth chapter by Polyakov, Yankauskas, and DeRose focuses on some of the fundamental techniques that are legal for Sambo competition. The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the most successfully used submission techniques of three of the greatest figures in the history of sambo competition: Michael Burdikov, Alex Feodorov, and David Rudman. Sambo has become well-known largely due to the success of Sambo fighters in various mixed martial art venues. Stephen Koepfer’s final chapter offers a description of its development as well as a delineation of one of Sambo’s hallmark strategies: offensive rolling. Examples of proper forward rolling and three related offensive techniques are presented. May readers of this anthology come to appreciate the great depth of Russian martial traditions and the unique developments that emerged in the arts of Systema and Sambo.

Sambo and Systema: Russia's Prominent Martial Arts

Sports & Outdoors

Secours B.Ed., Kevin

Jacques Ph.D., Brett

Anderson B.A., Scott

Polyakov M.A., Leonid

Yankauskas Ph.D., Ionas

DeRose M.A., Dayn

Koepfer M.A., Stephen

Individual Sports

What would you like to obtain from your research and practice of an Okinawan martial art? For an academic, it would be to obtain historical and cultural facts and details. For a practitioner, it would be to gain expertise in the combative skills. If you're interested in both, this second of a three-volume anthology is assembled for your convenience to facilitate your endeavors. These volumes assemble a wealth of material originally published during the two decades when the Journal of Asian Martial Arts was in print. Hundreds of pages and photographs present the richness of Okinawan martial traditions, from the original combatives to those influenced by Chinese and mainland Japanese martial art styles. The variety of topics shown in the table of contents indicate the depth and breath in the chapters, along with the authors who are well-known for their meticulous research and practical skills in specific arts. These three volumes dive deep into the history and culture of Okinawan martial arts. You’ll find coverage of the actual artifacts—the material culture related to weaponry and training methods. Instructions from the masters details both open-hand techniques as well as with weapons. The chapters offer insights into the lives of many masters over the past few centuries, giving the raison d'être for these unique fighting arts—their reason for being. Many streams of arts have contributed to the martial traditions found on the small island: Naha-te, Shuri-te, Fukien White Crane, Shorin, Goju, Motobu, Shotokan, Isshin, Kyokushin, Pwang Gai Noon, Shito, Uechi, and the list continues. . . Along with the various styles come the associated training methods, such as conditioning exercises with weights and creatively designed apparatus, such as the punching post (makiwara), or stone lever and stone padlock-shaped weights. Some become battle-hardened by active and passive breaking of objects (tameshiwari), including wooden boards, baseball bats, rocks, and ice. The extensive use of weaponry is found in many Okinawan styles, often associated with their farming and fishing occupations. Such a blend of history and culture make the Okinawan fighting traditions a fascinating field of study. Besides being such vital sources of information, these three volumes will prove enjoyable reading and permanent at-hand reference sources in your library.

Okinawan Martial Traditions Vol. 2: Te, Tode, Karate, Karatedo, Kobudo

Bolz, Mary

Silvan, Jim

Van Horne, Wayne

McKenna, Mario

Labbate, Marvin

Paz-y-Miño, Guillermo

Svinth, Joseph

Florence, Richard

Toth, Olga

Tóth, Róbert

What would you like to obtain from your research and practice of an Okinawan martial art? For an academic, it would be to obtain historical and cultural facts and details. For a practitioner, it would be to gain expertise in the combative skills. If you're interested in both, this third of a three-volume anthology is assembled for your convenience to facilitate your endeavors. These volumes assemble a wealth of material originally published during the two decades when the Journal of Asian Martial Arts was in print. Hundreds of pages and photographs present the richness of Okinawan martial traditions, from the original combatives to those influenced by Chinese and mainland Japanese martial art styles. The variety of topics shown in the table of contents indicate the depth and breath in the chapters, along with the authors who are well-known for their meticulous research and practical skills in specific arts. These three volumes dive deep into the history and culture of Okinawan martial arts. You’ll find coverage of the actual artifacts—the material culture related to weaponry and training methods. Instructions from the masters details both open-hand techniques as well as with weapons. The chapters offer insights into the lives of many masters over the past few centuries, giving the raison d'être for these unique fighting arts—their reason for being. Many streams of arts have contributed to the martial traditions found on the small island: Naha-te, Shuri-te, Fukien White Crane, Shorin, Goju, Motobu, Shotokan, Isshin, Kyokushin, Pwang Gai Noon, Shito, Uechi, and the list continues. . . Along with the various styles come the associated training methods, such as conditioning exercises with weights and creatively designed apparatus, such as the punching post (makiwara), or stone lever and stone padlock-shaped weights. Some become battle-hardened by active and passive breaking of objects (tameshiwari), including wooden boards, baseball bats, rocks, and ice. The extensive use of weaponry is found in many Okinawan styles, often associated with their farming and fishing occupations. Such a blend of history and culture make the Okinawan fighting traditions a fascinating field of study. Besides being such vital sources of information, these three volumes will prove enjoyable reading and permanent at-hand reference sources in your library.

Okinawan Martial Traditions, Vol. 3: Te, Tode, Karate, Karatedo, Kobudo

Noble, Graham

Hobart J.D., Peter

Hopkins M.A., Giles

Smith Ph.D., Paul K.

Niiler Ph.D., Timothy

McCullough B.S., Peter

Davison M.A., Phil

Higginbotham B.A., Will

Wuxia America: The Emergence of a Chinese American Hero

Literature & Fiction

Michael DeMarco

United States

Tales of the Hermit, Volume 1: The Castle in the Rain and The Judge (Tale of the Hermit)

Comics & Graphic Novels

Westbrook, Adele

Graphic Novels

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