You may have to Search all our reviewed books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
Many Indo-Malay martial arts are kept private, taught in secluded areas away from the public. These are arts of the older tradition, developed when combative knowledge was valued for its use in protecting the sanctity of life. This two-volume anthology brings together a great collection of writings by authors who dive into the deepest realms of Indo-Malay combatives. They offer readers a rare viewing of martial traditions that is usually hidden behind social shrouds of secrecy and a clannish quest to preserve individual tradition. A special presentation in this second volume are the writings of Dr. Kirstin Pauka forming three chapters on silat (silk) of West Sumatra. The lead chapter discuss...
This two-volume anthology conveniently contains useful academic tools for studying the combative arts. Each chapter will prove special to all interested in the intellectual side to the martial arts. Some chapters provide fine details for categorizing the variety of what we commonly refer to as "martial arts." Other chapters focus on the martial arts as living culture and social implications. The quality of instruction can either encourage negative traits such as violence or allow a practitioner to experience a self-transformation that improves character. NOTE: print edition is a single volume.
Cheng Man-ch’ing (1902–1975)—also romanized as Zheng Manqing— certainly played a lead role in popularizing tai chi ch'uan throughout the world and greatly influencing the way the art is perceived and practiced. This fact alone should drive all those interested in tai chi to study the man’s history and thought. There is a huge body of writings and video representations of Cheng’s tai chi theory and practice. Unfortunately, much of the available content actually obscures Cheng’s message. The result is that Cheng and his role in tai chi evolution are often not fully understood and faulty conclusions are made. A further result is that many feel either enlightened with what they bel...
As a digital edition, this two-volume anthology offers not only a handy historical overview of taijiquan history, but most chapters focus on actual practice. Guidance is provided through Carol Derrickson’s discussions on taijiquan classic writings as well as from other highly experienced instructors in their own chapters. Dr. Linda Lehrhaupt’s chapter inspires one to practice by explaining how mental changes occur in a student during initial weeks of classes. Although most taiji classes are offered by individuals in their own schools, a number of classes are also offered in academic settings. Andrew Peck gives a fine example of how taiji is taught in a university setting. Other authors p...
How can we fully understand aikido, or any other martial art for that matter, when we have only been exposed to part of it? While learning about the art, we can easily make assumptions and be tricked by false impressions. In most cases, even instructors do not have enough background to grasp the entirety of the art and are happy to work with part of it. The content in this special two-volume anthology details the many facets of aikido as it was formulated by Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969)—O-Sensei, the great teacher. Each chapter contributes to a piece of the aikido puzzle by providing historical details, insightful technical drills (bare handed and with weapons), and components that have f...
If you are interested in practicing a martial art for health, this anthology is highly practical for this purpose. The content will inspire readers to adapt ways to enrich their martial art practice to reach a higher standard of health. Whenever considering health, one’s diet should be a priority. The chapter by Roberto Nurchis shows how the kind of foods ingested have a negative or a positive influence on martial performance. General conditioning exercise are illustrated in Oga-Baldwin’s chapter. These exercise are in line with traditional qigong/stretching exercises. Netherton and Durstine’s chapter addresses the sports-medicine views of the physiology of warm-up exercises. The autho...
Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Discogenic Pain - a volume in the new Interventional and Neuromodulatory Techniques for Pain Management series - presents state-of-the-art guidance on the full range of discogenic pain relief techniques performed today. Leonardo Kapural, MD and Philip Kim, MD offer expert advice on a variety of procedures to manage and treat discogenic pain. Comprehensive, evidence-based coverage on selecting and performing these techniques - as well as weighing relative risks and complications - helps you ensure optimum outcomes. With online access to the fully searchable text and procedural videos at www.expertconsult.com, you'll have the detailed visual assistance y...
A needle may draw a thread through printed pages to bind a book. In this little memoir, I feel like a needle that drew a common thread though a segment of martial art history. This book details three interrelated activities: (1) martial art studies, (2) involvement as founder of Via Media Publishing, producing a quarterly journal and books, and (3) teaching martial arts. Publishers, writers, researchers and serious martial art practitioners will benefit with the detailed overview of Via Media and its publications. Via Media produced the Journal of Asian Martial Arts, known for its high academic and aesthetic standards. Its contents reflect the history of two decades and provides rich informa...
When it comes to martial traditions, Dr. Robert Dohrenwend exemplifies a rare breed of scholar-warrior. You will find four chapters in this book devoted to weapons that have had enormous impact on world civilizations: the sling, sai, walking stick, and spear. With the spear and sling, we traverse millennia of human involvement with weapon innovation for hunting and warfare. These represent our primal roots. They are still with us today. The walking stick is normally seen as a practical device made to assist in walking and hiking. As a weapon, there’s much more to a cane than meets the eye. For civilian self-defense, it is convenient and effective. Many are familiar with the Okinawan sai, b...