YMAA Publication Center

MARTIAL ARTS TRANSPORT US TO THE REALMS OF LEGENDS

Every day in dojos and training halls, fantastic stories of history’s martial arts heroes are told. Tales of men and women who overpower wild beasts, walk unharmed through a barrage of swords, or single-handedly defeat scores of attackers—they all captivate our imagination and our sense of marvel.

Whether presented orally, on screen, or by written word, these legends remain a key element of our collective martial arts culture and naturally inspire wonder about where the facts end and the fiction begins.

No stories are more gripping than those surrounding the founders and great masters of modern-day martial arts.

This book looks at twelve of the greatest martial arts legends of all time, retelling their common historical lore, examining the known facts, suggesting possible reasons for their longevity, and discussing the key functions that these legends have served martial artists both historically and today.

Bodhidharma: A Zen Monk’s Journey to the East

Zhang Sanfeng: The Founding of Internal Martial Arts

Morihei Ueshiba: The Quest for Ultimate Peace

Ng Mui & Yan Yongchun: The Dual Founders of Wing Chun

Nai Khanom Tom: The Hero of Ayutthaya Fights for Freedom

Choi Hong-Hi: Leading Korea from the Ashes of War

Miyamoto Musashi: A Swordsman Meets His Greatest Foe

Helio Gracie: Grapplers from the East and West Meet

Bruce Lee: Fighting for the Freedom to Teach Kung Fu

Bui Thi Xuan: The Swordswoman and the Tiger

Gogen Yamaguchi: Returning from the Gulag

Masutatsu Oyama: Taking on the Wild

“Vivid . . . profound . . . plausible . . . be inspired.”

—Shotokan Karate Portal

Unravel a Web of Deception in a High-Stakes Thriller of Betrayal, Survival, and Redemption

In Head of the Snake, Gary Quesenberry delivers a gripping thriller that plunges readers into a world of danger, intrigue, and relentless action. When Case Younger, a former army ranger and counter-terror operative, finds himself targeted by a shadowy network of powerful figures, he must navigate a treacherous landscape where trust is a luxury and survival is paramount.

Set against the backdrop of Pikesville, Virginia, and the sprawling estate of a corrupt billionaire, the story unfolds with heart-pounding intensity. As Case races against time to uncover the truth behind a sinister human trafficking operation, he is forced to confront his own demons and the ghosts of his past. With the help of a loyal team of allies, including the resourceful Matt and Ross, Case embarks on a mission that will test his skills, courage, and resolve to their limits.

As the stakes escalate, Case must outwit a ruthless assassin, navigate a web of political corruption, and protect those he loves from a fate worse than death. With each twist and turn, the tension mounts, leading to a climactic showdown that will leave readers breathless.

For fans of Jack Carr, Lee Child, and James Patterson, Head of the Snake offers a masterful blend of action, suspense, and complex characters. Quesenberry's storytelling prowess shines through in this electrifying tale of justice and redemption, where the line between hero and villain blurs, and the cost of truth is measured in blood.

Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. Head of the Snake is a must-read for anyone who craves a thrilling adventure filled with unexpected twists, explosive action, and a hero who refuses to back down.

There is much more women can do to protect themselves from the rougher side of life—other than kicking and punching

Expect to learn how to:

• Break down the process of violent crime
• Stay off the criminal radar
• Connect intimately to your intuition so you can it use without guilt
• Recognize the signs of emotionally abusive people
• Recognize some of the tells and tricks of violent criminals
• Respond as early as possible to a confrontation by multiple attackers
• Understand how weapons are used and what you can do if confronted by one
• Maintain your cool and navigate confusion and shock under duress
• Know which physical techniques to count on in a fight for your life
• Know which physical techniques NOT to count on in a fight for your life
• Grasp some of the most important legal ramifications of physically protecting yourself against violence
• Include specific considerations of parenthood in your self-defense practice
• Model an aware and proactive mindset for children
• Evaluate self-defense courses and instructors so you can make educated decisions
• Think about how to raise children who will never present themselves as unsuspecting victims, or victimize others, and who will act conscientiously if they see something happening
• Help to engage and encourage others to reshape women’s self-defense training

As a generalization we could say women are more connected to their own mortality. Women are more aware of danger in everyday life than men are. Regardless of the reasons—our biological connection to life, that we are smaller, physically weaker, generally have less social or political power than our male counterparts, or that we are often responsible for others—we just worry about safety more often than the average guy. Ask a man how often he thinks about safety or worries about going out alone. Then ask a woman the very same questions.

Self-defense for women is not and should not be taught the same as self-defense for men.

Kick fear to the curb! Learn how to keep your family safe without the stress.

Safest Family on the Block by Jason Brick, host of the popular podcast of the same name, is a practical, hopeful guide for parents who want to protect their loved ones without living in fear.

This easy-to-read book explores essential tips for supporting your family’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being—without overwhelming or scaring anyone.

Featuring 101 concise essays—each short enough to read while waiting in line, at soccer practice, or idling in a parking lot “school pickup”—each piece delivers quick tips, expert advice, and empowering insights that you can apply right away to make your home and family safer in manageable, approachable ways.

Inside Safest Family on the Block, you’ll learn how to:

• Use a simple alternative to “Situational Awareness” that’s effective and easy for all ages
• Give yourself the right “pep talk” before talking with your kids, keeping conversations calm and constructive
• Secure your front door in just five minutes for only two dollars
• Turn a family vacation into a fun and effective safety-building experience

You'll also find guidance on managing those rare but challenging days, with practical strategies to turn potential emergencies into inconveniences, helping you handle unexpected situations with confidence.

“Most soccer moms and minivan dads don’t have the background to absorb the various self-defense and safety skills offered by experts. My role as a father and safety expert is to bridge that gap and make life easier for all families”—Jason

This book brings together Jason’s experiences as a journalist, father, and martial artist, blending skills and insights for a proactive, positive approach to family safety. Discover a hopeful, empowering resource to help your family thrive!

Perfect for parents and caregivers looking for practical ways to keep their loved ones safe—without the stress.

Adrenaline meets intrigue in a high stakes battle of good versus evil.

After tracking down and eliminating the people who threatened his hometown, Case Younger is finally ready to leave his violent past and settle into a quiet life with the only woman he’s ever loved. But a stranger has come to town—one who’s handsome, charming, and on a mission to destroy everything Case holds dear. 

JC Wilks is the last surviving member of the Dead Rebels Motorcycle Club. He’s come to Pikesville hunting for Case Younger, and Wilks didn’t come alone. JC knows that Case will be a hard target. To get close, he needs a plan, deception, leverage, and some unsuspecting victims. 

Life is finally starting to feel right for Case Younger. Love, friends, family, and even a wedding. That’s when JC Wilks strikes hard. As the noose tightens around Case and his family, allegiances are tested, secrets are revealed, and a new threat comes to light that could destroy the fragile peace Case has worked so hard to find. 

A gripping pulse-pounding tale of danger and suspense, where every moment counts, and every decision could mean life or death.

Case Younger has a hair-trigger on his anger issues that he has kept under control by dedicating his life to serving his country. First as an Army Ranger and most recently as a Federal Air Marshal. On a fateful trans-Atlantic flight Case uses his skills to stop a hijacker but his team pays a heavy price in the ensuing violence. The media seizes the opportunity to elevate Case to hero, a role he wants no part of. Seeking to escape the spotlight, he decides it’s time to face his past and return home.

What begins as a warm welcome back is soon interrupted by a sinister gang that has infested his once quiet hometown. Assessing the situation, Case feels duty-bound to act. With time running out, he puts his anger and highly tuned abilities to use. Gathering resources and beginning a covert operation, he unravels a shocking conspiracy and finds himself face to face with a formidable and ruthless adversary.

As the action intensifies, alliances are tested, an old rivalry resumes, and loyalties are questioned. Case races against the clock with every twist and turn, determined to save those he holds dear and bring justice to those who seek to destroy everything sacred.

The transfer of a centuries-old Japanese fine arts principle into empty-hand fighting.

In this book in the Analysis of Karate series, Hermann Bayer, Ph.D. examines Shu Ha Ri and its influence on modern karate. Bayer examines why and how this centuries old Japanese fine arts concept has changed how karate is practiced in modern times.

Shu Ha Ri is a genuine Japanese fine arts principle that was later applied into Japanese martial arts in general, and into karate-do in particular—not as a factual martial arts tradition but as an invented one—during a process that also converted Okinawa’s self-protection art into something closer to a fine art of self-perfection.

Clarifying the influence of Shu Ha Ri in the Japanese approach to martial arts is particularly important since traditional Okinawan karate circles adamantly insist on keeping their Okinawan karate approach separated, unique, and not to be mixed up with Japanese ways.

Dr. Bayer's weaves historic, socio-cultural, political, philosophical, psychological, and commercial components into a complex analysis that finally gives a clear picture of the subject, and that addresses doubts and questions about ascent or alibi which inevitably arise when an Okinawan fighting art is changed into a Japanese fine art.

Contents Include

• A centuries old Japanese fine arts principle finds its way into modern karate.
• Shu Ha Ri is a Japanese cultural concept, not an Okinawan one.
• Japan converts Okinawan Karate-jutsu and inserts Japanese philosophies.
• The essence of Shu Ha Ri is its trinity of coexisting phases.

An additional component in this analysis is the inclusion of educational principles and approaches that can help instructors organize and systematize their teaching approach and to overcome traditional instructor-centered concepts by using teaching approaches that were developed to better reach westerly socialized minds.

Qigong Massage, one of the oldest methods of healing, is built upon five thousand years of progress and a highly refined, solid theoretical foundation.

Used to improve health, slow down aging, and treat many types of illnesses, Qigong massage is a wide and deep healing science, and the root of many other popular forms of massage therapy.

This comprehensive text by world renowned Qigong scholar, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, presents the fundamental techniques and theory of Qigong massage that therapists can use to enhance their skills, and deepen their knowledge and application of Qi (energetic) healing.

Not only for therapists! Novices will find the instruction and techniques in this book practical and useful for recovering from fatigue, aches and pains, tension and more. A special section on Self-Massage is presented to help those in need of massage treatment benefits, but who lack a partner or therapist.

With over five hundred photographs and illustrations in this book, Dr. Yang will be your guide into the art and science of Chinese Qigong Massage.

Discover and Use the Wisdom of the Sages!

There's an old Chinese proverb which states, "Optimism will help you forget sorrow." It is widely believed that an optimistic, stable mood and mental balance calms the body's vital energies and spirit, aiding in the circulation of blood and Qi, thus improving health.

Throughout China's long history, ancient medical texts provided valuable advice on the subject of health: physical, emotional and spiritual. Isn't it time you made use of this wisdom of the sages in your everyday life?

Now you can with this user-friendly guide (a re-edited edition originally published by a university press in China), to maintaining your health through Qigong and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Learn to lead a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life — not only for yourself, but for your entire family. Traditional Chinese Health Secrets can show you the way.

• Includes Easy-to-Follow Remedies and Herbal Recipes for General Health, and Healing Specific Ailments and Injuries.
• Add Years to your Life and Expand your Mental and Physical Capabilities.
• Learn to Apply Yin/Yang, Five Flavors and Six Sensations Theory to your Diet.
• Simple to Practice and Easy to Learn!

Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is one of today’s most popular and easy to learn tai chi forms.

This book presents both the Simplified 24-posture Tai Chi form and the Simplified 48-posture Tai Chi form.

Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture is one of today’s most popular tai chi forms. Once learned, it can be performed in only six minutes. If you are learning tai chi in a school, a fitness club, a community or recreation center, or even the local park, this is the tai chi form you are likely to encounter.

The martial arts applications for each posture are shown so you can understand that every movement has a purpose.

The Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 48 Posture is a popular tai chi form practiced by those who want a longer, more challenging sequence. Once learned, it can be performed in only twelve minutes. The forty-eight posture form is often the next form a student studies after learning the twenty-four posture form.

Here’s what is inside this book:

• Theory to help you understand tai chi’s important tai chi concepts
• Warm up exercises for safe and proper tai chi practice
• Fundamentals so your tai chi movements will be easy and natural
• Foot diagrams so you will know what direction to face
• The complete Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Posture form, step-by-step
• Martial applications for each movement of the 24 posture form
• The complete Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 48 Posture form, step-by-step

This book presents in a modern easy-to-follow layout. Every tai chi movement is presented in 2-4 large photographs with clear instructions, followed by key points to help you learn properly.

No matter your age, tai chi chuan is a wonderful way to improve your health and well-being.

Chin Na is one of the four major fighting categories in all Chinese martial styles.

The four categories are:

• Kicking (Ti)
• Striking (Da)
• Wrestling (Shuai)
• Seize-Controlling (Na)

Seize-Controlling Chin Na techniques can be effectively used against an opponents grabbing attacks as well as against wrestling. Pressing and striking Chin Na can be used to seal the opponents breathing, vein/artery, or Qi circulation, which can cause severe pain, numbness, and unconsciousness. Some techniques can even be fatal.

Most of Chin Na can be learned easily and be adopted into any martial style. Chin Na has been known as the root of the Japanese arts of Jujitsu and Aikido, and practitioners can use the study of Chin Na to increase their understanding of the theory and principles of their own arts.

This book is designed to make learning easier.

If you study a barehand art, likely there are Chin Na techniques you can adapt!

You will learn over 150 Chin Na techniques

• Fundamental principles that make Chin Na work.
• Speed, power, grabbing, escaping, and countering techniques.
• Finger Chin Na.
• Wrist Chin Na.
• Elbow Chin Na.
• Shoulder, neck, and waist Chin Na.
• Leg Chin Na.
• Muscle Grabbing Chin Na.
• Cavity press Chin Na.
• Using Chin Na in a fight.
• Dealing with injuries.

The ability to control an opponent through Chin Na is one of the highest measures of martial skill. You will improve your martial skills with the many training methods, attacks, and counterattack techniques detailed in this book. Your are going to increase your fighting options!

Remember, Chin Na can be integrated with any open hand martial style.

Discover What China has Known for 1000 Years, Self Healing Works!

Wouldn't it be nice to stop common ailments before they happen? We can prevent many of them once we have the proper knowledge.

This book, Qigong for Treating Common Ailments, provides a system for maintaining overall health while addressing specific problems with exact treatments. All natural, safe, and easy to learn, these exercises provide a life-long path to wellness! This re-edited edition, originally published by a university press in China, is essential for the home health library!

Solutions to help you:

• Protect and Strengthen the Internal Organs with Qigong Exercises.
• Improve Circulation and Overall Health using Qigong Massage Methods.
• Discover a Wide Variety of Breathing and Relaxation Techniques.

Qigong for Treating Common Ailments is easy to Learn and easy to practice!

Bringing the Dao to life for readers of all generations.

Fables entertain us, enlighten us, and guide us. We recognize ourselves in the characters, be they emperors, village children, or singing frogs. They help us see our own weaknesses, our strengths, and the many possibilities. Their lessons transcend time and culture, touching what it really means to be alive.

Whoever we are, wherever we’re going, these short tales help us along the path—the Way. Some offer a moral compass. Some illustrate the dangers in human folly. Others just make us laugh.

In this collection of fables, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming shares the stories that have influenced him most as a teacher, a partent, martial artist and lifelong student of the Dao. These fables bring the Dao to life for readers of all generations.

The Dao in Action will inspire young readers to refine their character. Older readers will smile and recognize moments of truth. This collection is for anyone who would like to explore the enduring lessons of virtue and wisdom.

These lean, concise fables illustrate balance, the duality of yin and yang, always shifting, always in correction. They help us laugh at our human predicaments—and maybe even at ourselves.

We can all use some reflection and inspiration from time to time.

The secrets of internal power are revealed in this expert guide to Internal and External martial Qigong.

This comprehensive martial arts training guide explores White Crane Kung Fu (Gongfu), one of the most famous martial styles developed in China. Martial Arts Qigong is integral to White Crane kung Fu and is a proven way to build explosive fighting power, known as Jin.

In addition to fighting power, martial Qigong builds robust health and longevity. By focusing on the spine and torso, Shaolin White Crane develops and maintains a strong, supple upper body. Flexibility and strength of the spine are notable results of this training.

It is commonly recognized that Shaolin White Crane is the root of Okinawan Karate, and has heavily influenced Japanese martial arts. From this book, a Karate practitioner will be able to trace this root back, and gain profound comprehension of empty-hand styles.

• Long time hidden secrets of White Crane revealed.
• A comprehensive analysis of Internal and External martial Qigong.
• Complete sets of White Crane Hard and Soft Qigong training.
• A thorough examination of martial power (Jin).
• Presents more than 60 White Crane Jin patterns.
• Learn mental and physical training for explosive fighting power.
• Over four hundred action photographs and illustrations.

Discover the foundation behind the fascinating TCM system of holistic health based on several thousand years of real clinical experience.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a unique, comprehensive, and scientific system, maintaining that the root of a disease must be found, and that a patient must be treated according to their whole being as well as their surrounding natural conditions.

Viewing the human as a single, integrated entity that relates with nature, TCM maintains that the human body is affected by any changes that occur in nature, and must be treated as such.

Since its beginnings, not only has TCM been well preserved and documented but it has also been continuously developing and growing. Having remarkable curative abilities and few side effects, it is an effective means to prevent and treat diseases and to keep yourself strong and healthy. 

Principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine is systematic, concise, practical and easy to read. Originally published in China, this re-edited edition (the 3rd book in our Practical TCM series) will provide you with the principles of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases.

• Discover the principles of treatment and prevention of diseases.
• Learn essential primary theories, such as Yin and Yang and the Five Elements Theory, as well as their use in clinical applications.
• Discover the foundations for diagnostic methods.

Essential for today's alternative health library.

Chin Na is one of the four major fighting categories in all Chinese martial styles.

The four categories are:

• Kicking (Ti)
• Striking (Da)
• Wrestling (Shuai)
• Seize-Controlling (Na)

This book is also laid out according to actual fighting scenarios as follows:

• Chin Na Against Barhand Attacks
• Chin Na Against Blocking
• Chin Na Against Kicking
• Chin Na Against Knife Attacks
• Offensive Chin Na Techniques

With over 375 techniques, practitioners can discover a variety of techiques suitable to their needs and martial arts style. Effective application of Chin Na requires speedy execution of a block or yield, a set up, and then a proper technique. By experimenting with different situations presented in this book, you can find those techniques that work best for you.

Seize-Controlling Chin Na techniques can be effectively used against an opponents grabbing attacks as well as against wrestling. Pressing and striking Chin Na can be used to seal the opponents breathing, vein/artery, or Qi circulation, which can cause severe pain, numbness, and unconsciousness.

Most of Chin Na can be learned easily and be adopted into any martial style. Chin Na has been known as the root of the Japanese arts of Jujitsu and Aikido, and practitioners can use the study of Chin Na to increase their understanding of the theory and principles of their own arts.

This book is designed to make learning easier.

Massage is one of the essential foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

Tui Na, literally "Push Grab" has been practiced by Chinese martial artists, Qigong practitioners and healers for thousands of years. Specializing in injury repair and curing illness, Tui Na massage can also maintain your health by adjusting your Qi in order to flow smoothly. It will increase your Qi and blood circulation in particular areas or throughout your entire body, removing blockages and stagnations caused by injuries, exercise and/or aging. Tui Na massage is also a wonderful way to relieve stress and recover from a hard day on the job or a tough workout.

Chinese Tui Na Massage is systematic, concise, practical and easy to read. Originally published in China, this re-edited edition (the 4th book in our Practical TCM series) provides both theory and practical techniques.

• Prevent illness by improving Qi and blood flow.
• Recover quickly from fatigue, aches, and soreness.
• Repair injuries, relieve stress and physical tension.
• Ideal for professional therapists, martial artists and anyone with an active lifestyle.

An in-depth look into the physics behind martial arts.

Whether you are an experienced martial artist or a curious enthusiast, this book gives you an “unfair advantage” by unraveling the complex science of effective fighting techniques and examining the core principles that make them work. Did you know?

• Momentum is for knocking people over
• Energy is for breaking bones and causing pain
• A haymaker travels 3.14159 times farther than a jab
• You are only an “object” when you are rigid

Fight Like a Physicist blends inquiry, skepticism, and irreverent humor—all while punching holes in myth and mysticism. Highlights include

• Making physics your “unfair advantage,” in the ring and on the street
• Examining center of mass, pi, levers, wedges, angular momentum, and linear momentum for martial artists
• Reducing traumatic brain injury in contact sports
• Exposing the illusion of safety provided by gloves and helmets
• Overturning conventional wisdom on compliance during an assault
• Busting up Hollywood action clichés

Fight Like a Physicist reads like a manifesto on the rational practice of martial arts. It’s intelligent, fun, and dangerous—and nothing short of iconoclastic.

Winning Judo offers realistic and practical instruction for success in competitive judo. Written for beginner and experienced athletes, author Steve Scott shares the skills you need to be successful at all levels of competitive judo.

He will teach you how to train your body, enhance your competition skill set, and establish a winning mental game. You will learn how to

• Understand the three levels of training intensity
• Scout and read your opponents
• Develop tactics for regaining and keeping your lead in the scoring
• Manage tempo, pace, and positioning
• And much more

Judo is based on sound principles of movement and biomechanics. Understanding how and why a technique works or doesn’t work provides a solid advantage when under stress in competition. With over 450 photographs, Steve will explain the proper ways to exploit

• Success with throws
• Managing transitions and defenses
• Aggressive defenses that win matches
• Ground fighting and breaking down your opponent
• Defending against and initiating armlocks
• Chokes and strangles

To be successful in judo, athletes and their coaches need clear objectives and informed knowledge of what to do during the ever-changing dynamics of a judo match. Steve Scott has developed and coached many competitors to championships at World, Pan American, and Olympic judo teams. Written by popular demand, he brings his lifetime of experience in one authoritative and focused book on winning in competitive judo.

The best of both Eastern and Western Sword Fighting Techniques

Sword fighting is a vigorous activity that develops strength, speed, and overall physical fitness. It also promotes mental acuity and quick thinking. Once you have developed the requisite skills to the point where you no longer have to think about them to perform them properly, you can focus your attention on out-witting your opponent in an exciting game of physical chess.

The Art and Science of Sword Fighting takes an innovative, progressive approach to swordsmanship. Consisting of an eclectic collection of high-percentage sword fighting techniques borrowed from many diverse sources, these universal concepts can easily be applied to fighting with a wide variety of swords.

The Art and Science of Sword Fighting is aimed at creating a formidable general practitioner, someone who is comfortable fighting with a variety of swords. This approach provides a solid foundation in the general art of sword fighting, a necessity for beginners and experts alike. Later, once you have determined what your strengths are and where your personal interests lie, you may choose to go on to specialize in a particular brand of swordsmanship. Regardless of what that style may be, this strong foundation will serve you well.

By not focusing on the historical context of any particular style, advanced practitioners, regardless of personal style or affiliation, might transcend stylistic differences to come together as a swordsman or a swordswoman in order to discover the universal concepts that underlie all styles. Such collaborations serve to improve the collective understanding of sword fighting.

The Art and Science of Sword Fighting is divided into two main sections.

• Part One focuses on wielding a one-handed sword.
• Subsections include offense, defense, fencing, and advanced techniques.
• Part Two focuses on wielding a two-handed sword.
• Subsections include offense, defense, fencing, and advanced techniques.

This book takes a bold, progressive approach to the topic of next generation fencing. The condensed course of study is designed to teach you how to use just about any sword; an eclectic approach to the art of swordsmanship aimed at ferreting out the universal concepts common to wielding a sword. By taking this fresh, methodical approach to the topic, any student can quickly learn the Art and Science of Sword Fighting.

Secrets of the Tai Chi Masters Revealed!

Since ancient times Tai Chi Chuan has been practiced as a holistic mind/body fitness system, bringing immense benefits for practitioners in health, longevity, relaxation, and concentration. Tai Chi Chuan was also practiced as an effective and deadly martial art.

Because of this, the ancient masters rarely disclosed their secrets, guarding them as closely as they would military secrets. They preserved their profound insights in obscure songs, poems, and classics, revealing only to those they considered trustworthy and ready for such knowledge. That is, until this century.

Now, you can reap the benefits of centuries of wisdom and practical experience to deepen and refine your Tai Chi Chuan. Discover ways to reach the essence of your Form and take your Push Hands to higher levels. Dr. Yang has translated these classics from the original Chinese, and has written commentaries to make them more accessible to contemporary minds. Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu Style is an invaluable resource for students who seek true understanding of their art.

• Useful for any style of Tai Chi Chuan.
• Sound, practical advice for any martial art.
• Key points for incorporating the teachings into your practice.

Master the Way of the Sword!

Discover the King of Short Weapons - the Lord of One Hundred Arms!

Improve your balance, strength, focus, and martial skills with this elegant and effective Chinese weapon, from America's most respected author and teacher of Shaolin Kung Fu. Mastering the Art of the Northern Shaolin Sword requires extensive physical training, which will result in a strong, finely-tuned body and mind. And as self-defense, Shaolin Sword is indispensable, improving your perception, timing, and reactions, allowing for the quickest and most appropriate response to any given situation.

Sword training is one of the highest accomplishments in Chinese martial arts. Northern Shaolin Sword is a complete book for martial artists seeking to refine their skill and spirit.

• In-Depth History, Fundamentals and Forms.
• Two-Person Routines, Applications and Fighting Strategies.
• Three Complete Sword Sequences, including the Rarely Seen or Taught Matching Set.
• Easy-to-Follow Step-by-Step Photos with Detailed Instruction.

Secrets of the Tai Chi Masters Revealed!

Since ancient times Tai Chi Chuan has been practiced as a holistic mind/body fitness system, bringing immense benefits for practitioners in health, longevity, relaxation, and concentration. But it was also practiced as an effective and deadly martial art. Because of this, the masters rarely disclosed their secrets, guarding them as closely as they would military secrets. They preserved their profound insights in obscure songs, poems, and classics, revealing only to those they considered trustworthy and ready. That is, until now. Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style contains secrets kept hidden in the Yang family for generations and only revealed to the public in the last two decades.

The majority of the secrets found in this book were written directly by Yang, Ban-Hou, second generation lineage of the Yang family, a master well known for his deep understanding of theory and for the manifestation of martial power (Jin). Now you can reap the benefits of this wisdom and practical experience to deepen and refine your own Tai Chi. Discover ways to reach the essence of your Form and take your Push Hands to higher levels. Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has translated these classics from the original Chinese, and has written commentaries to make them more accessible to contemporary minds.

Immerse yourself in the secrets of the Yang Style, the world's most popular style. You'll find Tai Chi Secrets of the Yang Style an invaluable resource for understanding your art.

• Can be used with any style of tai chi chuan.
• Sound, practical advice for any martial art.
• Includes commentaries, translation, and original chinese.
• Key points for incorporating the teachings into your practice.

Secrets of the Tai Chi Masters Revealed!

Since ancient times Tai Chi Chuan has been practiced as a holistic mind/body fitness system, bringing immense benefits for practitioners in health, longevity, relaxation, and concentration. But Tai Chi Chuan was also practiced as an effective and deadly martial art.

Because of this, the ancient masters rarely disclosed their secrets, guarding them as closely as they would military secrets. They preserved their profound insights in obscure\ songs, poems, and classics, revealing only to those they considered trustworthy and ready for such secrets. That is, until this century.

Now, you can reap the benefits of centuries of wisdom and practical experience to deepen and refine your Tai Chi Chuan. Discover ways to reach the essence of your Form and take your Push Hands to higher levels.

Dr. Yang has translated these classics from the original Chinese, and has written commentaries to make them more accessible to contemporary minds. Tai Chi Secrets of the Wu & Li Styles is an invaluable resource for students who seek true understanding of their art, and the Wu and Li Styles, focusing heavily on internal development, are perfect for advanced practitioners.

• Can be used with any style of Tai Chi Chuan.
• Sound, practical advice for any martial art.
• Includes commentaries, translation, and original chinese.
• Key points for incorporating the teachings into your practice.

Discover the original purpose and training of taekwondo

The principles and techniques illustrated in this book, having been handed down over the decades, if not centuries, emphasize a core philosophy rich in defensive strategy.

Taekwondo, literally translated, can be defined as "foot, hand way" or "the way of smashing with hands and feet." Such descriptive nomenclature understandably implies a curriculum rich in self-defense. Too often, however, this is simply not the case. Given the current popularity of sport competition in the martial arts, many techniques of defensive value have been stripped away or forfeited altogether in favor of those certain to score in the ring. While the thirst for Olympic gold has clearly played a significant role in propelling taekwondo into the forefront, it should be remembered that this native Korean martial art contains over 3200 distinct self defense techniques.

This book describes in detail, the history and evolution of Taekwondo from its ancient roots to modern day applications. Also included are exercises in "Ki" or internal energy development, meditation practice, and practical self-defense strategies. This work focuses on the traditional aspects of Taekwondo rather than on its sportive component.

The origins of Liuhebafa (also called Water Boxing) can be traced back to the Daoist sage Chen Tuan (c. 871-989 A.D.).

Chen is a mystical figure whose advice and perspective was sought by ancient Chinese Emperors.

Liuhebafa was the last of the internal methods to be taught outside China. Even inside China, Liuhebafa had an almost mythic quality. Among the groups of inner circle students, Liuhebafa was graduate study in the internal arts.

Liuhebafa's Five Character Secrets (of Li Dong Feng) are the original precepts of this rare internal martial art known as Huayue Xinyi Liuhebafaquan. Li Dong Feng discovered aged manuscripts of Chen Tuan, during an expedition to Chen's ancient mountain home. Realizing the importance of what he had found, Li remained on Mount Hua until he mastered the material in the manuscripts.

Li returned to his home and then recorded all he had learned on Mount Hua in one hundred and thirty-four verses now known as The Five Character Secrets of Li Dong Feng. This is the only existing treatise on the original principles of Liuhebafa.

This book contains the original Chinese treatise of Li Dong Feng, Pinyin Romanization of the Chinese characters, word for word translation, literal translation, interpretive translation and the author's commentary on the meaning of each verse.

There is more here than meets the eye. It is wise to approach the Secrets with a beginner's mind. Imagine being beckoned to sit by the fire. Lean a little closer to better hear the master as he recites the lines that will open the doors of your mind and heart.

Tai Chi Dynamics is intended for intermediate and advanced Taiji players.

The author Robert Chuckrow Ph.D. experimental physics, has been a Taiji practitioner for over forty years. He applies logic and basic scientific principles of anatomy, physiology, and physics to muscular action, breathing, and alignment in Taiji movement and push-hands.

He clarifies many perplexing concepts such as "correct force" by utilizing detailed explanations, illustrations, and photographs.

Sayings from the Taiji Classics are quoted throughout, and exercises are provided to give readers a chance to confirm their understanding.

Over a dozen self-defense applications of the basic Taiji movements are illustrated, and the effectiveness and completeness of Taiji as a martial art is candidly analyzed.

Suggestions for many aspects of teaching Taiji are provided, which stem from over three decades of practical experience. A chapter on Zheng Manqing (Cheng Man-ch'ing), with whom the author studied for five years in the early 1970s, sheds light on Zheng and his students.

A special chapter deals extensively with aspects of self development from a personal perspective, discusses how doing Taiji correctly is a precursor to spiritual growth, and compares religion, science, and spiritual teachings.

A detailed chapter on health, self-massage, and healing discusses fasting (including the author's own experience with a twenty-eight-day fast), differences between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, and provides exercises and methods of self-massage for head, legs, feet, and back.

There is even a section on how to make your own footwear suitable for practicing Taiji.

The book includes personal anecdotes and stories, and has over one hundred photographs and illustrations by the author.

Xingyiquan (Hsing I Chuan) is one of the best known Chinese internal martial arts.

Xingyi means "Shape Mind", and Quan means "Fist" or "Style". The name derives from the style's imitation of the movements and inner characteristics of twelve animals. The style was created by Marshal Yeuh Fei, a famous general of the Chinese Song Dynasty.

The practice of Xingyiquan, like Taijiquan, improves Qi circulation in the body and maintains health. In addition, the training builds up an abundant level of internal Qi so that both the physical body and the mental body can be strengthened.

This book presents traditional Xingyiquan training, including two sequences with many of their martial applications, and the famous fighting set "An Shen Pao". The most unique part of this book is the discussion of Xingyiquan theories and principles, drawn from many of the ancient poems and songs. Understanding these will greatly speed your training.

• Deepen your Understanding for Great Xingyi.
• Inspiration and Advice for a Lifetime of Practice.
• For All Levels of Experience.

ADDING POWER TO THE FIGHTING TECHNIQUES OF KARATE

Hojo Undo means 'supplementary training', and using these tools is the key for developing the devastating power of karate techniques. Without Hojo Undo, a practitioner cannot reach the profound strength levels required for a lifetime of karate training.

This book details how to construct and use many training tools; provides accurate mechanical drawings, comprehensive training methods, and an historical context to understand why Hojo Undo was created in 'old' Okinawa.

• Warm up exercises
• Detailed construction drawings
• Build your own Hojo Undo tools!
• Learn how to use the tools to develop devastating power
• Link your increased power to fighting techniques
• Hear what Okinawan Masters say about Hojo Undo training

The civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists drove the largest refugee exodus in the modern history of China, across the sea to the southern island of Taiwan. Martial artists of many styles were among this diaspora.

In the 1940’s areas of Taipei, Taiwan were terrorized by local gangsters. Supported by desperate martial artists who had to flee mainland China with no other resources but their martial skills, they robbed and extorted the population. The locals trying to rebuild a new life after the Japanese occupation, often hired their own cadre of martial artists. The Hong family was one of these merchant families.

Through hard work, honesty, and perseverance, the Hong family had come from poverty to build a successful candle making business. It’s patriarch, Hong Wu-fan, not only hired martial artists but invited famous refugee masters to live and train in his family compound, thus earning their loyalty and the honor of their secrets. One of the most outstanding students was Hong’s fourth son, Hong Yi-xiang.

The author Hong Ze-han tells the true story of his father Hong Yi-xiang, and the cultural story of Taiwan in the 50-year period between the 1940s and the 1990s. Hong Yi-xiang was the founder of the Yizong Tangshoudao school of martial arts. He earned his renowned reputation by using the philosophy of the internal arts to outwit his opponents, relying on strategy as much as superior physical skills.

Blessed with access to his father’s life and teachings, the author Hong Ze-han conjures intimate conversations with the master and weaves a tale of success out of the struggle to survive. We, dear readers, are allowed in—to become outside students to these teachings and the cultural times in which the master’s art developed. We become part of an art and a country made stronger by the character and strength of its immigrants.

The speed and brutality of a predatory attack can shock even an experienced martial artist.

The sudden chaos, the cascade of stress hormones―you feel as though time slows down. In reality, the assault is over in an instant. How does anyone prepare for that?

As a former corrections sergeant and tactical team leader, Rory Miller is a proven survivor. He instructs police and corrections professionals who, in many cases, receive only eight hours of defensive tactics training each year. They need techniques that work and they need unflinching courage.

In Training for Sudden Violence Miller gives you the tools to prepare and prevail, both physically and psychologically. He shares hard-won lessons from a world most of us hope we never experience.

• Train in fundamentals,combat drills, and dynamic fighting.
• Develop situational awareness.
• Condition yourself through stress inoculation.
• Take a critical look at your training habits.

“You don't get to pick where fights go,” Miller writes. That's why he has created a series of drills to train you for the worst of it. You will defend yourself on your feet, on the ground, against weapons, in a crowd, and while blindfolded. You will reevaluate your training scenarios―keeping what works, discarding what does not, and improving your chances of survival.

Miller's internal work, world work, and plastic mind exercises will challenge you in ways that mere physical training does not. Sections include:

• Stalking
• Escape and evasion
• The predator mind
• Personal threat assessment

This is a fight for your life, and it won't happen on a nice soft mat. It will get, as Miller says, “all kinds of messy.” Training for Sudden Violence prepares you for that mess.

If pain-free joints are the goal, qigong movements can help!

According to the Centers for Disease Control, over fifty million Americans struggle with doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Obesity and inactivity are proven aggravating factors, limiting mobility and making everyday activities difficult and painful. For many, arthritis progresses to the point where they will have to manage pain for years to come. Some will have little choice but to rely on prescription medication.

For the millions of others with joint pain, there is hope. By committing to a series of simple exercises, we can remain loose and flexible. We can prevent and heal injuries to maintain flexible, healthy joints.

Motion is the key, and in this book Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming will get you moving. You will regain natural, pain-free motion, and suppleness with qigong, a timeless Chinese art that promotes healing, flexibility, and balance. The gentle, meditative movements emphasize proper motion in coordination with breath, making qigong the right choice for preventing, treating, and even reversing arthritis.

This book presents 46 movements to help you loosen, stretch, strengthen, heal, and maintain comfortable, flexible joints for a lifetime.

You will learn what qigong is and why it is a good choice for treating arthritis and maintaining healthy joints

• 4 gentle torso-loosening movements
• 9 hand massage movements and techniques
• 6 massage methods for immediate relief
• 3 movements for neck, spine, and waist
• 7 movements for fingers, hands, and wrists
• 8 movements for elbows and shoulders
• 4 movements for toes and ankles
• 5 movements for hips and knees

Many people who live with joint pain rely on acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and even surgery. By committing to a simple qigong practice, you can begin to take care of your own joints, with less reliance on others.

Combining the best that Eastern and Western medicine can offer to help you understand, treat, and prevent of digestive conditions, diabetes, and obesity. All the while, boosting your immune system!

By blending modern research with ancient practices, this book will help readers stay positive and keep motivated along their journey toward better health and overall well-being.

The authors have helped thousands of people through the use of surgery, pharmaceuticals, acupuncture, herbs, qigong, tai chi, meditation, and life-style counseling. They explain how Western medicine has substantiated a long-held understanding of the gut held by Eastern medicine "that digestive health significantly impacts and is impacted by sleep, emotions, movement, food, and social support".

The authors discuss how sleep, exercise, nutritious food, stress management, acupuncture, and qigong favorably impact the gastrointestinal system. These modalities restore balance in the nerves, hormones, and neurotransmitters that improve digestion and metabolism. A special section is devoted to discussing the human gut microbiome, the bacteria we harbor in our intestines, and how the microbiome is essential to our health.

• Drs. Kuhn and Kurosu strongly recommend a collaborative approach, encouraging readers to engage with their Western healthcare providers so that serious conditions can be addressed safely.
• They share ideas about how the reader can create a multidisciplinary care team, involving practitioners of both Eastern and Western healing systems.
• The explain the science behind meditation, acupuncture, and qigong.
• You will learn how the microbiome is essential to good health.
• Readers are offered recommendations of proven Eastern and Western therapeutic interventions that will calm the mind, decrease stress, improve sleep and nutrition, strengthen digestion, and normalize metabolism.
• Includes a step-by-step guide and qigong exercises designed to promote overall gastrointestinal health.

Digestive disease is complex and requires a multifaceted approach for successful treatment. By blending the ancient wisdom of Eastern Medicine with cutting-edge Western discoveries, True Wellness for Your Gut will help you stay positive and achieve optimal health, whether through prevention or treatment of digestives conditions, diabetes, and obesity.

When does the student become the master? At what cost?

Grieving the loss of his sensei, the master swordsman Yamashita, Connor Burke struggles with the challenges of recovery from the wounds received struggling to defend Yamashita as well as the heavy burden of assuming leadership of Yamashita’s dojo. Embroiled in controversy with a wealthy donor over control of the dojo, Burke welcomes the distraction of an investigation into a noted yoga guru’s unexplained death. 

Winston Tambor is a charismatic yoga teacher who died under mysterious circumstances.

Some believe that Win’s death was caused by the unleashing of mysterious yogic power from the discipline of Kundalini, but some investigators think differently. They need someone with an insider’s knowledge of the esoteric aspects of Asian disciplines, with the research skills needed to separate mystic hype from reality, who also has had some experience with criminal investigations. Mickey Burke, watching his brother Connor struggle with rehabilitation in the aftermath of Yamashita’s death, thinks Connor will be perfect for the project.

Connor Burke welcomes the distraction of Montoya’s investigation of Tambor’s death. He soon discovers that solving this mystery is as dangerous as it is difficult.  Burke is plunged once again into the world of esoteric Asian disciplines. Where the relations between master and disciple, and the conflict of perpetuating ancient codes of honor can generate very lethal consequences. Especially when driven by money and celebrity.

Martial artists that reach a certain level of proficiency with their barehanded fighting forms, may choose to expand their knowledge to include weapons techniques.

Over the past 5,000 years, the Chinese have developed a vast array of weapons, built for a multitude of purposes. These weapons and their derivitaves are found in all martial art styles, including Kung Fu, karate, Taekwondo, and Indonesian styles.

You may ask

• What weapon should I choose?
• What are their original or main purposes?
• What is the history of these weapons?
• What weapon is right for my body type or strength?

Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artists Guide is an easy reference guide designed to offer the answers. It is profusely illustrated, easy to navigate, and conveniently broken down into the four main classifications: Long Weapons, Short Weapons, Soft Weapons, and Projectile / Thrown Weapons.

Contents include:

• Techniques and fighting strategy for many kinds of weapons
• The history and evolution of Chinese weapons
• Weapons classifications
• Over 130 illustrations

Inside you will find ancient Chinese weapons of many types, from swords and spears, sharpened coins to flying claws! Even if you're not a martial artist, but have an interest in history and warfare, you'll find this guide an invaluable resource.

Combining the best that Eastern and Western medicine can help you understand, treate, and prevent heart disease and hypertension.

Over a decade has passed since Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease (Caldwell Esselstyn Jr.) and Energy Medicine (Donna Eden) seminal books shed light on taking more control of person health through lifestyle changes. Now, Drs. Kurosu and Kuhn offer a step-by-step guide to optimal heart health and care.

True Wellness for Your Heart combines the best that Eastern and Western medicine have to offer in the understanding, treatment, and prevention of heart disease and hypertension. By blending modern research with ancient practices, this book will help you along your journey toward better cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

The authors have helped thousands of people through the use of surgery, pharmaceuticals, acupuncture, herbs, qigong, tai chi, meditation, and life-style counseling. They explain how Western medicine has substantiated the long-held understanding of the heart held by Eastern medicine "that heart health is significantly impacted by sleep, emotions, movement, food, and social support".

The authors also explain how sleep, exercise, nutritious food, stress management, acupuncture, and qigong favorably impact our cardiovascular system. These modalities restore balance in the nerves, hormones, and neurotransmitters that influence the heart and blood vessels.

• Drs. Kuhn and Kurosu strongly recommend a collaborative approach, encouraging readers to engage with their Western healthcare providers so that serious conditions can be addressed safely.
• They share ideas about how the reader can create a multidisciplinary care team, involving practitioners of both Eastern and Western healing systems.
• They explain the science behind meditation, acupuncture, and qigong.
• Readers are offered recommendations of proven Eastern and Western therapeutic interventions that will calm the mind, decrease stress, improve sleep and nutrition, and strengthen the heart.
• Includes a step-by-step guide and qigong exercises designed to promote overall cardiovascular health.

Cardiovascular disease is complex and requires a multifaceted approach for successful treatment. By blending the ancient wisdom of Eastern Medicine with cutting-edge Western discoveries, True Wellness for Your Heart will help readers achieve optimal heart health, whether through prevention or treatment of this condition.

True Wellness is a step-by-step guide to optimal health, blending the best of Western and Eastern medical traditions.

The authors realize that for many people, the conventional way of managing disease is unsustainable. They recognize that even as the high-tech accomplishments of Western medicine increase, the overall health of the nation continues to decline. In their own practices, they have discovered a path to optimal health, even in complicated Western health-care systems.

The secret is combining the strengths of both Western and Eastern medicine to achieve the unique health goals of each patient.

How to do just that is what this book is about.

You will:

• Discover the strengths and benefits of both Eastern and Western medicine
• Use journaling topics, questions, worksheets, checklists, and practical advice to prepare for and begin new, healthy behaviors
• Learn to create a multidisciplinary care team for a strong alliance between your Western health-care providers and Eastern practitioners

True Wellness encourages individual responsibility and prepares you to take the first step on your healing journey. By combining ancient wisdom, cutting-edge scientific discoveries, and practical advice, these tools will lead you through a transformation to true well-being in body, mind, and spirit.

Learn how to combine the best of Western and Eastern medical traditions to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression.

True Wellness the Mind is a step-by-step guide to better mental health, blending the best of Western and Eastern medical traditions to reduce

• Sleep Disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression

The authors recognize that the conventional way of managing sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression may not be sustainable for many who continue to struggle with these problems. In their own practices they have discovered a path to optimal mental health by combining the best of Western and Eastern medicine.

“We have seen among our own patients how chronic stress can wear away at their well-being, often first by stealing their sleep, then dampening their mood, and finally disrupting their health.”

With this book you will:

• Discover the strengths and benefits of both Western and Eastern medicine
• Combine Western and Eastern healing methods for sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression
• Use questions, worksheets, checklists, and practical advice to prepare for and begin new, healthy behaviors
• Learn to create a multidisciplinary care team for a strong alliance between your Western health-care providers and Eastern practitioners

The authors explain how exercise, nutritious food, stress management, acupuncture, and qigong affect the body, so you can make healthier choices. To make this easy, they provide practical advice and worksheets to start simple daily exercise routines, help you increase more plants in your diet, and begin a stress reducing qigong practice.

True Wellness the Mind encourages individual responsibility and prepares you to take the first step on your healing journey. By combining ancient wisdom, cutting-edge scientific discoveries, and practical advice, these tools can lead you through a transformation to true well-being in body, mind, and spirit.

Remember, emotional health, physical health, and sleep are intertwined, each affecting the others.

If a pain-free back is the goal, qigong movements can help!

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, nearly 80 percent of adults experience low back pain at some point in their lives. For many, the condition progresses to the point where they will have to manage pain for years to come. Some will have little choice but to rely on prescription medication.

For millions of others with back pain, there is hope. By committing to a series of simple exercises, you can remain loose and flexible. You can prevent and heal injuries to maintain a strong, healthy back.

Motion is the key, and in this book Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming will get you moving. You will regain natural, pain-free motion and balance with qigong, a timeless Chinese art that promotes healing, flexibility, and balance. The gentle, meditative movements emphasize proper motion in coordination with breath, making qigong the right choice for preventing, treating, and healing back pain.

This book presents 54 movements to help you loosen, stretch, strengthen, heal and maintain a strong back for a lifetime.

You will learn

• What qigong is and why it is a good choice for healing and maintaining a healthy back
• 3 back-loosening movements
• 12 back-stretching movements
• 30 back-healing movements
• 7 movements for immediate relief
• 2 back-strengthening movements
• A great regimen for keeping your back healthy.

Many people rely on acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and even surgery. By committing to a simple qigong practice, you can begin to take care of your own back, with less reliance on others.

Pain-free motion is the goal, and qigong movements can help you accomplish that goal.

The Judo Advantage explores the dynamics of how and why the human body works most efficiently for throwing, submission, and pinning techniques.

Although judo provides the basis for the author’s analysis, his insights also relate to other grappling sports such as Russian sambo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Olympic and collegiate wrestling.

You will learn how to

• Gain a competitive edge using the principles of human biomechanics.
• Master the ability to control your opponent’s movements.
• Improve fluency for seamless transition between techniques.
• Generate incredible power and speed.

This book features:

• In-depth analysis of stances, balance breaking, throws, takedowns, transitions, ground fighting, trapping, footwork, combinations, gripping, posting, linear and angular movement, torque, generating power, evading, generating force, changing directions, and stability
• Over 200 action photos
• Drills and winning insight for coaches and athletes of grappling arts

Steve Scott merges traditional martial wisdom with modern kinesiology, the study of human anatomy and movement. This new biomechanical perspective helps competitors develop every facet of their grappling skill, giving them a clear advantage in controlling opponents.

Qigong exercises designed to improve your health in 10 to 20 minutes a day!

This book offers beginners a smart way to learn qigong (chi kung), the ancient Chinese system of gentle breathing, stretching, and strengthening movements.

You will use The Eight Pieces of Brocade, one of the most popular qigong healing exercise sets, to boost your immune system and improve your overall health and well-being.

Choose the sitting set, the standing set, or both. Learn how to activate the qi energy and blood circulation in your body, helping to stimulate your immune system, strengthen your internal organs, and give you abundant energy.

• Clear photographs show you correct postures
• Concise instructions tell you what to do
• Details inform you how the movements help
• Qigong theory explains why the exercises work
• Translations of ancient Chinese poetry provides key concepts to help you improve understanding

No matter your age or your physical condition, the Eight Pieces of Brocade is a wonderful way to improve your health and well-being.

Commonly known in China as the Ba Duan Jin, these exercises have been practiced for over 1,000 years!

This book is designed to help readers understand depression and make positive changes to overcome it.

Dr. Aihan Kuhn teaches a unique tai chi form that combines elements of Chen and Yang styles as well as qigong and meditation. The form is easy to learn, easy to remember, and easy to practice. Dr. Kuhn’s multidisciplinary approach to mental health also focuses on positive thought, a healthy diet, and self-confidence.

Perfect for beginners and experienced practitioners alike. The circular movements create better energy flow in the body. The martial character empowers the mind, strengthens the body, improves stamina, and increases self-esteem. Slow, symmetrical movements promote balance and calm.

This book features:

• Detailed instructions and photos describing Dr. Kuhn’s 16-step tai chi form
• Personal reflections on using tai chi to overcome depression
• A 10-week plan to help readers begin their journey to wellness

With this book you will:

• Learn about the clinical features of depression
• Learn Dr. Kuhn’s 16-step tai chi form
• Discover the psychological, emotional, and physical benefits of tai chi
• Begin a holistic approach to managing mental health

“When I was just starting out as a doctor, my focus was mainly on treating disease,” Dr. Kuhn writes. “Now my focus is on teaching people how to prevent disease and treating patients in the early stages of their illness so they can avoid additional problems.”

A SIMPLE LYING DOWN EXERCISE ROUTINE FOR EVERYONE

Each morning before getting out of bed, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming practices a series of gentle stretching movements designed to improve energy, and rejuvinate the body. Based on decades of experience, these Meridian Qigong Exercises are his special daily exercise routine.

Follow along and learn how a unique combination of simple yoga stretches, qigong movements, and acupressure techniques can relieve energy stagnation and rejuvenate your entire body.

All the exercises can be performed lying down or sitting, if preferred. Meridian qigong will quickly improve your general health, by reducing stress, boosting your immune system, and preventing many range of motion injuries. With regular practice you will notice your entire body feels loose and comfortable. You will react to stress with a greater sense of calm, and your circulation will increase.

With this book you will:

• Understand the link between yoga and qigong
• Learn basic acupressure with traditional tui na (pushing and grabbing) and dian xue (cavity pressing) techniques
• Supplement your qigong practice with yoga stretches
• Know which acupoints and meridians to stimulate
• Relieve many common ailments, including insomnia

“In this book, I have compiled this qigong routine from my more than fifty years of practicing and teaching experiences,” Dr. Yang writes. “I sincerely hope that Meridian Qigong Exercises are able to inspire you and make your life healthier.”

Examining the Gap Between Martial Arts Training and Real World Violence.

Experienced martial artist and veteran correction officer Sgt. Rory Miller (RET) distills what he has learned from jailhouse brawls, tactical operations and ambushes to explore the differences between martial arts and the subject martial arts were designed to deal with: Violence.

Section One: The Matrix. Introduces the myths, metaphors and expectations that most martial artists have about what they will ultimately learn in their dojo. This is then compared with the complexity of the reality of violence. Complexity is one of the recurring themes throughout this work.

Section Two: How To Think. Examines how to think critically about violence, how to evaluate sources of knowledge and clearly explains the concepts of strategy and tactics.

Sections Three and Four: Violence and Predators. Focuses on the dynamics of violence itself and the predators who perpetuate it. Drawing on hundreds of encounters and thousands of hours spent with criminals Sgt. Miller explains the types of violence; how, where, when and why it develops; the effects of adrenaline; how criminals think, and even the effects of drugs and altered states of consciousness in a fight.

Section Five: Training. Centers on training for violence, and adapting your present training methods to that reality. It discusses the pros and cons of modern and ancient martial arts training and gives a unique insight into early Japanese kata as a military training method.

Section Six: Making Physical Defense Work. Is all about how to make self-defense work. Miller examines how to look at defense in a broader context, and how to overcome some of your own subconscious resistance to meeting violence with violence.

Section 7: Aftermath. Deals with the aftermath—the cost of surviving sudden violence or violent environments, how it can change you for good or bad. It gives advice for supervisors and even for instructors on how to help a student/survivor. You may even learn a bit about enlightenment.

This book will change your perception of the world, martial arts and violence.

Exercises designed to prevent brain aging.

Dr. Aihan Kuhn shares her expertise in tai chi, qigong, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, giving readers exercises designed to prevent brain aging. This book represents a synthesis of Dr. Kuhn’s studies in martial arts as well as Eastern and Western healing.

Tai chi and qigong practitioners around the world have long known that these arts promote fitness and self-defense. In this book Dr. Kuhn explores their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits, emphasizing how tai chi and qigong aid in memory, emotional balance, and lifelong learning.

This book features:

• An illustrated manual detailing tai chi and qigong exercises to prevent brain aging
• Elements of Eastern and Western medicine combined to form a new vision of brain health
• Dr. Kuhn’s concise, accessible guidance from a lifetime of studying martial arts and medicine

With this book you will:

• Learn Dr. Kuhn’s keys to prevent brain aging
• Discover the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of tai chi
• Learn how tai chi and qigong assist in human healing

Dr. Kuhn says we have long assumed that getting older means facing a decline in memory, attention span, numerical ability, creativity, alertness, learning ability, and language. "But we were wrong,” she adds. “New findings from science show that if the brain can be consistently stimulated, no matter our age, the brain can remain youthful and healthy.”

This Book Stands Alone as an Introduction to the Context of Self-Defense.

There are seven elements that must be addressed to bring self-defense training to something approaching ‘complete.’ Any training that dismisses any of these areas leaves you vulnerable.

We strongly recommend this book to anybody wishing to learn self-defense, or understand how to stay safe should violence rear it's ugly head.

1. Legal and ethical implications. A student learning self-defense must learn force law. Otherwise it is possible to train to go to prison. Side by side with the legal rules, every student must explore his or her own ethical limitations. Most do not really know where this ethical line lies within them.
2. Violence dynamics. Self-defense must teach how attacks happen. Students must be able to recognize an attack before it happens and know what kind they are facing.
3. Avoidance. Students need to learn and practice not fighting. Learning includes escape and evasion, verbal de-escalation, and also pure-not-be there avoidance.
4. Counter-ambush. If the student didn’t see the precursors or couldn’t successfully avoid the encounter he or she will need a handful of actions trained to reflex level for a sudden violent attack.
5. Breaking the freeze. Freezing is almost universal in a sudden attack. Students must learn to recognize a freeze and break out of one.
6. The fight itself. Most martial arts and self-defense instructors concentrate their time right here. What is taught just needs to be in line with how violence happens in the world.
7. The aftermath. There are potential legal, psychological, and medical effects of engaging in violence no matter how justified. Advanced preparation is critical.

Any teacher or student of self-defense, anyone interested in self-defense, and any person who desires a deeper understanding of violence really should read this book.

Survival Favors the Prepared Mind—Robert Crowley

AWARDS

• eLit Award GOLD WINNER - 2012
• USA Best Books Award FINALIST - 2012
• Eric Hoffer Award HONORABLE MENTION - 2012

"An elegant and comprehensive critical edition of the Dao De Jing." ― KIRKUS Review

This book examines one of the world’s most enduring and influential literary works through the timeless art of qigong. In his words, Lao Tzu (or Laozi), author of the Dao De Jing, embodies qigong principles, advocating the cultivation of mind and body. Only when we know qigong can we know Lao Tzu—and only when we know Lao Tzu can we know the Dao De Jing.

Lao Tzu’s writing has been read, translated, and discussed around the globe. It deals with principles that transcend time and culture. That is why this ancient text has been reimagined countless times in books on business, relationships, and parenting—but never with a focus on the art of qigong. This makes the Dao De Jing: A Qigong Interpretation unique and indispensible.

Many chapters in the Dao De Jing purely talk about qigong, especially the practices of regulating the body, breathing, mind, qi, and spirit.

Dr. Yang, a renowned author, scholar, and martial artist, devoted decades to researching and writing this book. He interprets and analyzes the 81 chapters of the Dao De Jing. His commentary will bring new insight, inspiration, and depth to your understanding of Lao Tzu’s words—and to your qigong practice.

This book includes

• The complete Dao De Jing in English and its original Chinese text
• Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming’s commentary and analysis of each chapter
• Numerous illustrations and diagrams

The Dao De Jing: A Qigong Interpretation is not a book of instruction. It is about the Way—the path before us, in qigong and in life, where what you achieve comes through your own understanding.

Genuine karate is an Okinawan martial art for self-defense; its ongoing globalization has jeopardized its inherent effectiveness.

“The changes made to karate in mainland Japan and in America have altered karate so intrinsically that it can no longer claim to be genuine karate.”

Dr. Hermann Bayer, Ph.D., examines how Japan re-interpreted Okinawan karate to create its own unique style of karate-do, and how Japanese and American changes resulted in a modern karate-sport business.

Practitioners of karate are often confused, misguided, and even led to believe that karate is just karate—this is far from the truth. Practitioners need a clear understanding of what their training can offer them. This can only be achieved by understanding karate's true purpose and by discerning misconceptions from facts.

Contents include

• Okinawan karate’s “principle of never changing kata”.
• Karate as an Okinawan cultural heritage.
• Socio-cultural arguments to preserve Okinawa karate—as is.
• Japan—the karate reproducing country.
• Karate or Karate-do?
• The business of karate, karate-do, and karate-sport.
• Scientific proof of a peaceful karate mind.
• The laws of physics reveal weaknesses when kata are changed.

This substantially researched work makes a compelling case for the socio-cultural and historic arguments to conserve genuine Okinawan karate. Supported by historical facts, scientific analysis, and public records, Dr. Bayer reveals, for all to see, the complex evolution of karate and the unsettled claims made upon it by the various stake-holders.

Dynamics, motion, sensation...they are karate's connective tissue―and they are the heart of this book.

Karate Science: Dynamic Movement will help you understand the mechanics of the human body. Swanson describes these principles in incredible detail, drawing on examples from several styles of karate, as well as aikido, taekwondo, and judo. Whatever your martial background, applying this knowledge will make your techniques better, stronger, and faster.

• Understand the major types of techniques, including their outward appearances and internal feelings.
• Master the core principles behind these feelings.
• Learn the biomechanics and dynamics of core movement.

Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is filled with examples, anecdotes, and beautiful illustrations. Although Shotokan karate is the author's frame of reference, the principles of human mechanics translate to all martial styles.

This book features

• Clear and insightful explanations of dynamic movement.
• Over 100 illustrations.
• Profound but accessible analysis of the kihon, or fundamentals of Shotokan karate.

As a lifelong student of martial arts, J. D. Swanson, Ph.D., had searched through piles of books on form and function. "Stand here, step there" they said. But where movement was concerned, none went deep enough. No one was discussing the dynamics―the actual feeling of the moves. Both in print and in live teaching, karate instruction tends to focus on stances and finishing positions. But dynamics, motion, sensation...they are karate's connective tissue―and they are the heart of this book.

“Karate Science: Dynamic Movement is rooted in the teachings of the masters,” Swanson says. “This book nucleates that knowledge, clarifying and distilling the key principles behind movement dynamics. This is the next evolution of karate books.”

Especially designed for learning Tai Chi at home

Tai Chi in 10 Weeks is designed to guide beginning students through the fundamentals of tai chi in only ten weeks. Dr. Aihan Kuhn teaches you an easy to learn twenty-four-step Yang-style tai chi form.

Tai chi is best known as a gentle full body exercise that has been proven effective for reducing stress, calming your mind, and boosting your immune system. No wonder, millions of people around the world practice tai chi for health and wellness.

Dr. Aihan Kuhn is a master instructor of tai chi and qigong. In this book she shares the lessons she’s learned in a lifetime of studying and teaching. She is warm and encouraging, making readers of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome.

This book features:

• A ten-week calendar to guide you through your introduction to tai chi
• Over 200 beautiful full-color photos
• Warm, welcoming instruction from a master of tai chi and qigong

With this book you will:

• Learn the twenty-four-step Yang-style form
• Understand the fundamentals of tai chi
• Discover not just the physical postures of tai chi, but also its psychological, emotional, and spiritual benefits

“Tai chi is a life journey,” Dr. Kuhn writes. "Part of my success is from my patients and students that understand that prevention requires participation. They practice tai chi and qigong on a regular basis, which is key to their health and healing. Can you really learn tai chi in 10 weeks? Yes, you can learn the fundamentals of tai chi. You can build the foundation for this life-changing journey. Tai Chi in 10 Weeks is your road map."

The Tai Chi Concepts and Experiments book clarifies and makes accessible critical aspects of the art that only a small number of high-level practitioners currently understand and manifest.

Numerous step-by-step experiments are provided for readers to experience and perfect these critical tai chi aspects.

Contents include:

• The meaning and importance of releasing tension in movement for stability, health, and spirituality.
• The differences between contractive and expansive strength including a promising mechanism for the nature of expansive strength.
• Numerous experiments for readers to recognize and experience expansive strength and to confirm that they have achieved it.
• Elucidation of famous master’s sayings on mind, strength, and chi.
• Health and martial advantages of expansion over contraction in tai chi.
• Protocols using expansion including those for helping an excess curvature of the upper and lower spine and for relieving plantar fasciitis.
• Quotes from the classics and how they confirm the interpretations of the principles of tai chi.
• How to achieve optimal balance through an understanding of physical, anatomical, physiological, and mental factors.
• A detailed analysis of “rooting and redirecting” including physical and internal aspects.
• Understanding natural movement from physical, philosophical, health, and martial points of view.

This interdisciplinary book utilizes, elementary physics, physiology, anatomy, psychology, and spirituality. It contains detailed analyses and explanations for achieving internal, expansive strength, known as nei jin, and for attaining optimal timing and natural movement.

Genuine Okinawan Karate was developed as a fighting tool.

Non-Okinawan Karate are for other purposes.

Karate practitioners, scholars, and everyone caring about Asian martial arts and its culture will enthusiastically appreciate this eye-opening work.

Dr. Bayer substantiates further how the art Karate was used to prepare a nation (Japan) for total war, how it was deliberately industrialized into a worldwide Japanized Karate-Do inflation, and how its following transformation into athletic showmanship destroyed the art’s unity and distinctiveness.

The author endorses Karate-Jutsu as a genuine Okinawan martial art even as foreign knowledge and skills from India (speculated) and from China (proven) were integrated― and he explains the imitative social mechanism used to turn this local fighting art into a symbol of national identity.

Since martial arts were initially understood as a moral code-neutral tool, like a weapon, this happens to contradict the modern understanding of Karate being a peaceful art with inherent non-violent values. In truth, moral codes or guidelines on how to use this tool were developed separately, not within the art.

A new “back to the roots” Karate-Jutsu movement gains importance and establishes a counterculture to Karate-Do’s industrialization, helping to integrate some neglected reminiscences of Karate-Jutsu back into Karate-Do. Such a development brings Japanized Karate-Do versions closer to their martial origins, whereas pure Karate-Jutsu will be preserved as a point of reference by a group of dedicated curators.

Contents include:

• Okinawa is the birthplace of Karate-Jutsu and Japan is the birthplace of Bu-Jutsu.
• How Karate and Budo were used for Japan’s war preparations.
• Senpai seniority was the social mechanism to integrate Karate into Japan’s martial arts tradition.
• Consequences of an ancient fighting art being turned into athletic showmanship.
• In Sports-Karate there is no more Kata in Kumite, and there is no more Kumite in Kata either.
• The modern misconception of avoiding a fight by all means.
• The path toward mastery in Karate.
• Sensei correct your errors and blunders, you have to correct mistakes yourself.
• Today’s Karate-Jutsu movement is the counterculture to Karate-Do’s industrialization.
• Karate’s market structure in the 21st century.

A rare in-depth look at the history, teachings, and wider implications of Wing Chun

Wing Chun In-Depth offers an historical overview of the art’s development, it examines how to properly approach training for fighting skills that give you an edge in street defence and it presents Wing Chun’s underlying principles and strategies as a way of life for health and happiness.

This work traces the lives and legends of the great masters of Wing Chun, it reveals their training techniques and philosophies, and shows the reader how they can be applied in all aspects of life.

Written in an enjoyable and readable way, Wing Chun In-Depth shares profound insights, training drills and martial techniques that will improve your fighting foundation; it connects you to the great masters of Wing Chun—their lives, their martial teachings, and their philosophies. In the end, it is intended to inspire and enrich readers with history, practical skills, and a winning mindset for all of life’s challenges.

Contents include

Part 1: The Lineage

• The origins of Wing Chun from its legendary past.
• Its historical development and its present evolution from Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung.
• Insight into Bruce Lee’s relationship with Wing Chun, Ip Man and Wong, Shun-Leung.

Part 2: The System

• Forms, training drills, and techniques that can be used to develop oneself into a skilled fighter.

Part 3: Up Close

• Master Class Training to fight without fighting
• Master Class Avoiding a stand off
• Master Class No technique as technique

Part 4: Strategies for Life

• Explores the strategic and martial fruits of Wing Chun as a practice which provides both skills for combat and strategies for life.
• Startling truths that enrich life inside and outside the training hall (kwoon).

Ip Man’s senior student, Wong Shun-Leung was the man who made Wing Chun famous in Hong Kong’s challenge matches. He was also a close friend and mentor to Bruce Lee. Sifu Loukas Kastrounis, one of the few active teachers of this lineage, is a highly respected Wing Chun teacher who has spent his life honing and developing Wing Chun.

“Written at the request, and in collaboration with Sifu Loukas Kastrounis-a third generation master of the Wong Shun-Leung lineage, it is the fruit of over 5 years of my careful observations and research into Loukas’s teachings as both his student and as a professional historian.”—Munawar Ali Karim

Profound - In Depth - Taijiquan Theory

In the last seven centuries, many songs and poems have been composed about Taijiquan. These have played a major role in preserving the knowledge and wisdom of the masters, although in many cases, the identity of the authors and the dates of origin have been lost.

As lifelong pursuit, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has translated many of these documents and according to him, believes many are incomplete for reasons relating to: forgotten oral secrets, the original authors personal understanding being too narrowly focused, and many documents that have gone missing could help unify Taijiquan theory.

In response, his book Taijiquan Theory of Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming is an attempt to join the various theories on Taijiquan in one complete text.

This book is structured with treaties, songs, and poems, followed by the original Chinese text and interpretations of the passages.

Contents include

• Regulating the body, breath, mind, Qi & spirit
• Analysis of Jin, pushing hands and sparring
• Taijiquan’s long range and short range fighting strategies
• The relationship of Jin and Qi
• The unification of the internal Qi and external physical manifestations of Qi

"Based upon my personal background and understanding, I have tried my best to compile the Taijiquan Theory and practice concepts in this book. I have attempted to make this effort as complete as possible”. —Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

This second edition includes

• Updated pīnyīn that includes diacritical tonal marks (for proper pronunciation of Chinese words).
• Updated Chinese text character font (providing better readability).

Spotting danger before it happens while traveling alone or with your family is a skill that can be developed and may even save your life.

So, you've decided to go on vacation. Good for you! Unfortunately, when planning a getaway, you must think about more than just the fun stuff; you must also consider your personal safety and the safety of those you're traveling with. This is where situational awareness comes into play.

Domestic and international vacationers spend nearly 1.1 trillion dollars annually in the U.S. alone. Any time there's that much cash involved you can expect there will be someone nearby looking to take advantage of you. When traveling, you must acknowledge and prepare for this potential danger.

In Spotting Danger for Travelers, you will learn how to develop a solid foundation of situational awareness, preemptively spot danger, quickly implement escape plans, and take control of your own safety while traveling.

Details include:

• Conducting a threat assessment on your destination
• Properly securing your home while away
• Taking travel precautions on the road and in the air
• Securing your temporary accommodations
• Building situational awareness techniques specific for traveling
• Becoming familiar with your surrounding area
• Developing an appropriate cultural awareness
• Dealing with so called “common” encounters
• Creating contingency plans when “incidents” occur

Regardless of your location, criminals tend to stick to specific patterns of behavior. This book will teach you important skills including how predators choose their victims, how to establish behavioral baselines, the process for identifying baseline anomalies, and how to harden your personal defenses. By implementing what you learn here, you can travel confidently and be secure with the knowledge that you can spot danger before it has the chance to spot you.

 “Today more than ever, it is imperative that we pay close attention to our surroundings and learn how to interpret what’s happening around us. Tragic events can often be both predictable and preventable.” —Gary Quesenberry Federal Air Marshal (Ret.)

Tai Chi Chuan Martial Power is the next level in Tai Chi Chuan training. 

This book is written especially for those who have learned the Tai Chi form, have begun Pushing Hands, and now want to develop and refine their Tai Chi skills.

Tai Chi Chuan Martial Power focuses on the martial essence of Tai Chi Chuan, an aspect many other books ignore. This book goes in-depth and explores the subject of Jing (internal martial power), general Tai Chi theory, and the application of Chi (Qi) in the Tai Chi form.

Because Jing training is essential to martial art Tai Chi, this work is a valuable reference that no serious practitioner should be without.

Contents include:

• A comprehensive training plan for Jing (power) development.
• Understand the difference between true Jing (internal power) and Li (muscular power).
• Learn how to accumulate Chi and Jing in the Tai Chi postures.
• Discover the essential role your mind plays in Tai Chi and Jing practice.
• Includes a special selection of Tai Chi poems (the place the ancient masters hid their theory), translated and explained with commentary by Dr. Yang.

A must for advanced students.

This edition includes an easy-to-follow layout. Each technique is presented in four to six large photographs with detailed instructions on how to perform the movements. Motion arrows are used on the photographs to help you execute the movements correctly.

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME ™

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

Israeli krav maga is the official self-defense system of the Israel Defense Forces. Krav maga training shares the same principles for civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel alike to deliver them from harm's way. Goals however, are different for law enforcement and military personnel.

This book is designed for security-conscious civilians, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and security professionals alike who want to improve their chances of not just surviving an armed attack, but increase the odds of prevailing without serious injury.

Krav maga's popularity in professional law enforcement, military, and security circles is attributable to its practicality, simplicity, quick retention, easy learning curve, and brutal effectiveness. This effectiveness is built on a few core tenets and simple building blocks. General principles are applied and customized to suit the needs of a dynamic violent situation.

Contents include:

• Mind-sets, reactions, and tactics in response to violence
• The highest-level counters against multiple armed attacks and threats
• Core kick, clinch, and tackle defenses
• Core ground survival tactics
• Multiple-opponent strategies and tactics
• Impact weapon defenses
• Edged weapon defenses
• Firearm disarms and retention
• Includes 954 detailed photographs

The most up-to-date tactics presented in this book focus on the most common violent scenarios. These techniques derive from the author's translation of the Israeli Krav Maga Association (IKMA) curriculum. The IKMA is the governing body for krav maga, recognized by the Israeli government and headed by Grandmaster Haim Gidon.

Responsible people seek krav maga training as a shield against violence.

For over one thousand years, Bodhidharma's (Da Mo) timeless qigong classics have been considered the key to enlightenment and long-lasting youth.

This third edition includes

• Updated pinyin that includes diacritical tonal marks (for proper pronunciation of Chinese words).
• Updated Chinese text character font (providing better readability).

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, acclaimed for helping readers better understand qigong concepts, has translated and written commentaries for both the Yi Jin Jing (Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic) and the Xi Sui Jing (Marrow/Brain Washing Classic). Using ancient Buddhist and Taoist documents as its foundation, this book analyzes and discusses theory and training methods in a modern, scientific manner, and presents safe ways for you to begin your own practice.

Contents include

• General introduction qigong and practice
• Historical survey of Da Mo and his influence on qigong
• Buddhist and Daoist qigong
• Adjusting qi with kan and li
• Training theory of Muscle Tendon Changing
• Training theory of Marrow Brain Washing

Whatever style of these classics you may practice, making sense of qigong theory and principles is the best way of achieving your goals sooner, more accurately, and deeper.

The Art and Science of Self Defense Training provides you with a condensed system of distilled self-defense skills and techniques, each carefully selected for its reliability in a high stress environment.

Topics include situational awareness, avoidance, and how to take action should you need to physically defend yourself.

Martial arts, combat sports, and self-defense are different realms; although interconnected they are not entirely the same. — This book can help bridge that gap.

This curriculum is streamlined and divided into nine logical stages of training that allows both martial artists and those with no formal fighting experience to quickly and methodically learn and develop reliable skills for self-defense.

While training in the martial arts or competitive combat sports can aid you in a self-defense situation, it does not prepare you for those aspects that are unique to actual self-defense.

The book begins with the basics, upon which everything else relies – awareness, avoidance, and anticipation skills – before moving on to building a reliable arsenal of self-defense techniques. You will progress through a series of carefully selected actions for high stress situations.

The aim of this curriculum is to improve confidence and skills in a structured and logical way.

Topics include

• Awareness skills including situational, spatial, and environmental
• Avoidance skills to deal with fear, escape, and de-escalation
• Anticipation skills for being approached, posturing, and reading body language
• Action arsenal including targeting, striking, yelling, evading, and countering
• Advanced arsenals for dealing with ground fighting, weapons, and multiple attackers

Whether you are just starting out, or have been practicing martial arts for years, there are important self-defense skills for everyone in this book.

Build a strong foundation for health, longevity, and spiritual enlightenment with the ancient art of Qìgōng Embryonic Breathing (Internal Elixir).

Chinese Qìgōng can be categorized into External Elixir (Wai Dan) and Internal Elixir (Nei Dan). To reach the goals of longevity and spiritual enlightenment, the practitioner must learn Internal Elixir Qìgōng.

The first step, and the focus of this book, is to understand the theory and the method of Embryonic Breathing. Practicing this breathing technique will help you

• Optimize your central energy system
• Conserve your energy
• Store this energy at abundant levels 

Using ancient Buddhist and Daoist documents, Dr. Yáng analyzes and discusses meditation theory and training methods in a modern and scientific manner. This double-edged approach will enable you to quickly achieve a high level of understanding.

It is well acknowledged that without a proper foundation, the root of spiritual enlightenment will not be established and the meditative practice of Qìgōng for spiritual enlightenment, may be in vain.

Qìgōng Embryonic Breathing is organized into three parts

• Foundations: General Qìgōng concepts and meditation theory
• Translations and commentary of ancient documents related to Embryonic Breathing
• The practice of Embryonic Breathing meditation

The necessary second and third steps are to practice Qìgōng Small Circulation and Qìgōng Grand Circulation.

This second edition includes pinyin tonal marks for pronunciation, modern Chinese fonts, and illustration enhancements.

Qìgōng Small Circulation meditation has been known for centuries to not only promote health and longevity but also to open a path toward spiritual enlightenment.

Small Circulation meditation is the practice of circulating energy within the human body through the two main pathways, the Conception, and the Governing vessels. This practice is considered a foundation of Internal Elixir Qìgōng and was a fundamental step of meditation training in ancient times.

 Practicing Small Circulation meditation will help you to

• Regulate the Qì circulating in your twelve primary Qì channels
• Make Qì abundant throughout your entire body

Building upon a foundation of Embryonic Breathing practice, Small Circulation is the second stage of meditation training for health, longevity, and spiritual enlightenment through meditation. The third step is to practice Qìgōng Grand Circulation.

Dr. Yáng presents translation and analysis of many ancient Buddhist and Daoist documents and offers modern scientific explanations for learning and training safely. This double-edged approach will enable you to quickly achieve a high level of understanding.

Qìgōng Small Circulation is organized into three parts

• Foundations: General Qìgōng concepts and meditation theory
• Meditation training procedures: Four refinements and five regulatings
• The practice of Small Circulation meditation

This second edition includes pinyin tonal marks for pronunciation, modern Chinese fonts, and illustration enhancements.

Long considered a classic text by teachers and students, The Root of Chinese Qigong offers the principles and theories of qigong practice.

This third edition includes

• Updated pīnyīn that includes diacritical tonal marks (for proper pronunciation of Chinese words).
• Updated Chinese text character font (providing better readability).

Dr. Yang is acclaimed for helping readers understand qigong concepts deeper and more clearly by expressing them in familiar methods for the Western mind. He takes these ancient concepts and presents them in a logical way that helps practitioners stay on the right path to deepen knowledge and skill.

In this book Dr. Yang teaches sitting and standing meditation, demonstrates qi massage techniques, and examines the Qi pathways in your body. He explains correct breathing methods, shares secrets for quieting the mind, and discusses how to increase your body's qi supply. He further explains important concepts such as the Three Treasures and regulating the body, breath, and mind.

Contents include

• Qigong’s history
• Basic concepts of qigong
• Qi and the human body
• The five categories of qigong
• Regulating body, breath and mind
• Regulating your essence, qi and spirit
• Key points for improving practice
• A detailed look at qi channels and vessels in the body

Whatever style of qigong you may practice, making sense of qigong theory and principles is the best way of achieving your goals sooner, more accurately, and deeper.

As adults, we like to think we have a good idea of what the world may have in store for our teenagers, but the fact of the matter is there's a vast divide between what we perceive as dangerous and what our teens are actually up against.

Teenagers (ages 13 - 19) face unique challenges when it comes to situational awareness.

These challenges are only exacerbated by the constant physical and biological changes teens are subjected to. As young people learn to deal with these changes, they begin to explore the limits of their individuality.

Unfortunately, this process often involves rebellious behavior and unnecessary risk-taking. The key to keeping teens safe during this time is to keep them alert and engaged with their environment.

Teenagers have to understand that real personal safety isn't about being scared of what lies around the next corner. It requires confidence that if something bad were about to happen, that they have these skills:

• Ability to identify the problem early
• Competence to develop a plan of action
• Power to control their fear
• Aptitude to implement that plan

Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your Teens is designed around the principles of positive communication, trust, and teamwork. It’s written specifically to set parents' minds at ease and allow teens to confidently explore their independence, secure in the fact that they can spot dangerous situations before they happen and take the necessary steps to ensure their own well-being.

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME®

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

This book introduces and codifies big-picture thinking to take you to the next level of self-defense expertise. The material is designed to conform to your strengths; you need not conform to the system.

In this latest volume from David Kahn, you will find practical, battle-tested stratagems and insights that are equally applicable across the spectrum of martial arts and fighting systems. The text is supported by 180 dynamic separate photo series representing a rich krav maga gamut of self-defense strategies and tactics.

Topics include:

• The Best Use of a Training Partner
• The Difference Between Anger and Rage
• Recognizing Your Own Triggers to Avoid Violence
• Contending with Road Rage
• Conflict Avoidance and Escape
• Physiological Reactions to Threats and Violence
• Legal Use of Force Requirements
• Defensive (Dis)Engagement Mindset
• Anatomical Targeting and Self-Protection
• Preemptive Linear Strikes
• Absorbing and Moving with an Attack
• Fighting Ranges
• Combatives Power and Balance
• Self-Defense Fight Timing
• Tactical Retreating
• When and How to Counterattack
• Defending against a Skilled Fighter
• Deceptive Fighting
• Ground Survival
• Defending an Ambush
• Multiple Opponents
• Breaking Up a Fight

As good tactical minds generally think alike, whatever your martial arts or defensive tactics background, this book is designed to synergize any previous professional self-defense knowledge to enhance your personal survival blueprint.

Krav Maga Fundamental Strategies draws on ideas and techniques from nearly every level of the Israeli Krav Maga curriculum, including violence avoidance and prevention. The result is an adaptable strategy supported by tried and true defensive tactics, coupled with sound defensive principles, all of which will serve to deliver you from harm’s way.

Push Hands is the “other” part of tai chi that makes your practice a true living art

Tai chi push hands practice is a necessary next step for tai chi practitioners who wish to make their art come alive. Push hands practice requires two people to engage in a variety of “light touch” moving and walking routines. By practicing these movements, practitioners begin to develop tai chi’s sensing, listening, and yielding skills. Combined, these skills are the first step for developing your tai chi as a martial art.

The Dao De Jing classic reminds us that knowing others (an opponent) is important for knowing ourselves. By develop tai chi push hand skills, one begins to obtain a profound sense of feeling of your own body and mind. This ability aids greatly in regulating and controlling body, balance, health, perseverance, compassion, and overall spirit.

It is no mistake that tai chi offers a lifetime of continued learning and progress; the goal is a deep understanding of yourself and your role in nature.

In this book, you will learn

• The theory of tai chi pushing hands
• Tai chi qigong foundation practice
• Tai chi jing (power) practice
• Two-person stationary push hands practice
• Two-person moving push hands practice
• Tai chi rollback and press push hands practice
• International standard push hands routine
• Two-person free style push hands
• Martial art applications in tai chi push hands practice

Dr. Yang reminds us “tai chi chuan was created based on the martial applications which were used for self-defense. Every movement of tai chi chuan has its unique martial purpose. Without this martial root, tai chi chuan practice will limited to a dance, lacking a deeper meaning or a deeper feeling.”

This book is complemented by two companion videos sold separately.

• Tai Chi Pushing Hands 1 - Yang Style Single and Double Pushing Hands
• Tai Chi Pushing Hands 2 - Yang Style Single and Double Pushing Hands

Available wherever DVD and Streaming videos are sold.

Qigong Grand Circulation is an ancient path toward spiritual enlightenment.

Spiritual enlightenment is a uniquely human endeavor; a universal and timeless quest to understand the mysteries of our lives. Perhaps it began when humans looked at the stars and first felt the enchantment of awe.

But today, with all of our comforts and technological advancements, we are not satisfied. Our lives are noisy.

• Our bodies are under steady assault by pseudo-foods, poisons, and sedentary lifestyles.
• Our spirit is chaotic, competing with dogma and fear.
• We struggle to unplug, to disconnect, to deeply relax.
• The search for spiritual development has never been more urgent.

Qigong helps us to consider and unify the mind, body, and spirit.

Contents include

• A traditional and modern scientific analysis of Qi
• Buddhist and Daoist differences in their approach to spiritual qigong training
• Various breathing techniques
• Fundamental concepts of Small and Grand Circulation Qigong
• Muscle/Tendon Change Grand Circulation Qigong
• Brain/Marrow Washing Small and Grand Circulation Qigong

Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming has once again brought his unique scholarship and experience to write an insightful analysis of this ethereal and profound idea of spiritual enlightenment. His approach has always been to provide the information—a map—for the path.

Juji Gatame remains the most consistently used joint lock in many grappling sports including judo, sambo, jujitsu, submission grappling, BJJ, and MMA. 

Athletes and coaches around the world use and respect this game-ending armlock.

Juji gatame was not widely popular until the 1960s, when the sambo grapplers of the former Soviet Union began their innovations with Japanese armlocks and groundfighting. With great success, they took their opponents to the mat, submitting them with never-before-seen applications of juji gatame techniques.

This comprehensive manual organizes juji gatame into four primary applications

• Spinning juji gatame
• Back roll juji gatame
• Head roll juji gatame
• Hip roll juji gatame

Steve Scott carefully breaks down the basics, analyzes the structure, and offers hundreds of variations so you can successfully win with juji gatame, even under stress.

• A logical and systematic teaching method—for easy learning
• A functional perspective showing hundreds of variations—your options
• Juji gatame unbiased—inviting all grappling styles
• Thousands of photographs—in action

Things change, and as the world becomes more challenging, we need to take the time to prepare our children. Not in a threatening or scary way, but in a way that is fun, engaging, and will give them the best possible chance of ensuring their own wellbeing.

Spotting Danger Before It Spots Your KIDS is a book about presenting the concepts of situational awareness to children (ages 5 - 12) in a way that will keep them engaged and help them take an active role in their own personal security.

This book will show you how to use fun, interactive games to build situational awareness skills such as:

• How children can identify and understand normal environmental behaviors.
• How children can spot abnormal behaviors within their given environment.
• How to give children a plan and a means of avoidance or escape should a dangerous situation present itself.

Whether you're a parent, relative, or work in the childcare industry, the things you impart upon children will have a lasting impact on the way they live their lives. Nowhere is this more important than in the area of personal safety. As caregivers, we have a great responsibility for the security and wellbeing of our children, and to guide them along the path to independence.

Your child’s future success will depend on their ability to interact with their surroundings and make sound decisions based on what they see. That’s the foundation of situational awareness.

Author Gary Quesenberry has spent nearly two decades working as a federal air marshal. The training methods outlined in this book are based on the lessons learned not only as a counter-terror agent but also as a father of three.

A fast and powerful style that excels in throwing and ground fighting

Sambo is considered one of the most effective, technically diverse, and dynamic modern sport fighting styles ever devised. Developed in the Soviet Union and based on Kodokan Judo and wrestling, sambo emphasizes utility over aesthetics. The end result is a fast paced and powerful system that excels in both throwing and ground fighting.

This book offers a serious, technical look at the Russian martial sport that has changed the way the martial arts world looks at grappling. Our emphasis will be a systematic approach, presenting skills based on their function and utility in actual sport fighting.

Sambo places emphasis on fast-paced, powerful and functional throwing techniques, and equally fast-paced, powerful and functional ground fighting techniques. Using fundamentally sound skills performed by a motivated and well-conditioned athlete, who has molded what he knows to work for him with a high ratio of success, is hard to beat.

Contents include

• The essentials of sambo
• Throwing techniques
• Leg, ankle, and hip locks
• Armlocks
• Holds and breakdowns
• Over 1200 instructional photographs

“The skills presented in this book have all passed the tests of time and competition. Everything presented has been used successfully at all levels of competitive sambo.”

—Steve Scott

If you like martial arts movies, you're going to love this book!

YMAA Publication Center has chosen author Arthur Rosenfeld's The Cutting Season to introduce a new literary fiction category: Martial Arts Fiction. The Cutting Season transplants this ancient, hugely popular, and authentic literary category to an American setting. Along with a thrilling story, The Cutting Season also conveys insights into genuine martial techniques and philosophies.

Dr. Xenon Pearl cuts brains for a living, and he's as good as it gets. His direct, sometimes abrasive style is forgivable in light of his skill with a scalpel, and tempered by his compassion for his patients and his friends. He is a dutiful son to his widower father, a doting grandchild to a grandfather who was once a rabbi, and he has even met the girl of his dreams. Everything is on-track for this medical golden boy.

The other side of this motorcycle riding, brilliant doctor façade is a side that Xenon (aka Zee) hides even from his father. Secretly trained since childhood by his Chinese nanny, Wu, Tie Mei--herself a martial warrior of shadowy lineage--Dr. Xenon Pearl is also a martial arts expert who loves the sword as much as the scalpel.

Now his past is showing up to literally haunt him. His dead teacher reappears, reminding him that he has lived many lives before…

I relived the foul stench of city cisterns, the rotting of corpses in the desert, the intoxicating smell of night-blooming jasmine, the musky odor of my own clothes after battle, the ripe and heady aroma of a wife waiting months for my return. My fingertips bore witness to the paper-thin delicacy of azaleas, and the smooth hands of children. My hands recalled weapons I have no name for, spiked ropes and strange maces with bumps and edges like some crazy fruit. I remember the gossamer threads of an industrious spider touching my eye. I remembered feeling holes where once I had teeth.

In this life, Dr. Xenon Pearl must use his skill – to defend the innocent, defeat the Russian mob, protect the woman who loves him, and stay one step ahead of a smart cop; he is set to lose everything unless he can cut just one more time.

"It's essential that you remember your previous lives," she said. "Without that memory, you're doomed to repeat your lessons."

"You are a fearsome warrior no matter what skin you wear, no matter the shape of your eyes; it's time to give up the scalpel and pick up your sword."

"I'm a doctor." I said. "And the way things look now, I'm a schizophrenic doctor."

"Your visions always come true." She said. "You are going to cut the man who burned his wife."

"I'm telling you to cut him now!"

In the spirit of martial arts tradition, The Cutting Season brings the traditional Asian martial arts novel to our shores, exploring human conflict, desires, and the search for moral certainties.

Do no harm... Honor your teacher... Cut without mercy...

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME®

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

Israeli Krav Maga is the Israel Defense Force's official self-defense system. 

The system is simple, instinctive, adaptable, and if necessary, brutally effective to thwart a life threatening assault. This book presents the most up-to-date and effective techniques to prevail against armed threats and attacks.

Many of these updated defenses have never been seen before. Grandmaster Haim Gidon has improved and evolved this material with the late krav maga founder Imi Lichtenfeld's formal approval.

Contents include

• Weapon awareness training; functionality, range, and deployment
• Dominant control holds over a stunned assailant
• Edged weapon defenses
• Impact weapon defenses
• Handgun defenses
• Rifle defenses
• Defending against weapons while on the ground
• Defending against continuous attacks
• Non-conventional weapon threats
• First-party hostage situations
• Kravist weapon defense drills

Regardless of strength, size, age, or gender, you can learn krav maga techniques to fend off an armed attacker.

NINE LEVELS, EASY TO EXPERT

This book stands apart from other staff training manuals. While most titles focus on forms and twirling, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting emphasizes the dynamics of combat. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions.

Joe Varady lays out a comprehensive course of study in nine levels, from beginner to expert. He guides readers through such fundamentals as stances, striking, blocking, and footwork. In advanced lessons, readers learn disarming techniques, groundwork, and facing multiple opponents.

But this book is not just for staff enthusiasts. Even those unfamiliar with martial arts can adapt these techniques, increasing their skill and confidence in defending themselves.

"Our environment is usually full of improvised weapons,” Varady writes. “Staff fighting techniques can be effectively applied in a self-defense situation using a walking stick, coatrack, curtain rod, floor lamp, hockey stick, fallen tree branch, broom, mop, shovel, or rake.”

Equipped with this knowledge, readers will begin to realize that, in one way or another, they are nearly always armed and capable of defending themselves.

This book features:

• Nine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expert
• Over 600 photos with motion arrows
• A “nondenominational” approach to staff, utilizing the best of Eastern and Western arts
• A comprehensive, methodical approach to building staff skills

If you are already a student of the staff, these lessons will not conflict with your katas or current style. Instead, they will augment your techniques, broadening your options.

Whether you are an experienced staff fighter or a layman seeking practical techniques for self-defense, The Art and Science of Staff Fighting will help you develop the skills you need.

Reach for the highest Level of Tai Chi Practice

You can achieve the highest level of tai chi practice by including Tai Chi Sword in your training regimen.

Here's your chance to take the next step in your Tai Chi journey.

Once you have attained proficiency in the bare hand form and have gained listening ad sensing skills from pushing hands, you are ready for Tai Chi Sword.

The elegant and effective techniques of traditional Tai Chi Sword

Tai Chi sword will help you control your Qi, refine your Tai Chi skills, and master yourself. You will strengthen and relax your body, calm and focus your mind, improve your balance, and develop proper Tai Chi breathing.

This book provides a solid and practical approach to learning Tai Chi Sword accurately and quickly. Includes over 500 photographs with motion arrows!

• Historical overview of Tai Chi Sword
• Fundamentals including hand forms and footwork
• Generating power with the sword
• 12 Tai Chi Sword breathing exercises
• 30 key Tai Chi Sword techniques with applications
• 12 fundamental Tai Chi sword solo drills
• Complete 54-movement Yang Tai Chi Sword sequence
• 48 martial applications from the Tai Chi Sword sequence
• 10 Tai Chi Sword 2-person matching drills

No matter your age, Tai Chi Sword is a wonderful and fun way to improve your health and well-being.

Tai Chi Qigong is the essence of Tai Chi Chuan. 

Gently conditioning your body and building an abundance of Qi are the requirements for long lasting health and a solid foundation for Tai chi practice.

Tai chi chuan is an internal martial art that uses soft/round movements to redirect an opponent's incoming force.

Qigong exercises are an internal method of increasing and circulating your body's energy (qi).

This book teaches tai chi qigong exercises that are extremely useful for improving your tai chi skills and overall health.

IF YOU ALREADY KNOW A TAI CHI FORM, here are some ways that you will use tai chi qigong to reach new levels of skill and ability.

• To feel qi
• To regulate body, breathing, and intention
• To learn how to use intention to lead qi
• To learn how to circulate qi
• To learn how to expand qi
• To learn how to use qi to energize muscles
• Accelerates the health benefits of tai chi

IF YOU DON'T KNOW TAI CHI, but want to benefit from qigong exercises, here are some ways tai chi qigong can help you.

• The exercises are short and easy to learn
• They help reduces stress
• They loosens muscles and joints
• They stimulates qi flow
• They can help develop a strong immune system
• They sharpen concentration
• They build a deeper awareness of breath and body coordination

This edition includes an easy-to-follow layout. Each technique is presented in two to four large photographs and clear instructions, followed by a discussion of how the movements aid in improving Tai Chi practice.

Motion arrows are used on the photographs to help you execute the movements correctly.

Chin Na is the art of seizing and controlling, it is a major element of all Chinese martial arts including Tai Chi Chuan.

Today, most people practice Tai Chi Chuan to maintain health or cure sickness. For the last fifty years the martial aspects of Tai Chi Chuan have been ignored, and the art is now incomplete. Most practitioners no longer understand the martial applications of Tai Chi Chuan, or even that it is a martial art. For example, the concept and training methods of Tai Chi Jin (or Tai Chi martial power), and how to apply internal Qi in the martial arts have become an unfamiliar subject in Tai Chi societies today. As a result, actual martial applications of Jin and Qi, such as Chin Na or Cavity Strikes, are currently not popularly known or studied.

To preserve Tai Chi's martial aspect, this book presents numerous Tai Chi Chin Na (Qin Na), the art of controlling an opponent through joint locks and cavity strikes.

Tai Chi Chin Na is one of the four main martial training categories of Tai Chi Chuan (the other three categories are striking, kicking, and wrestling/downing the opponent). Of all these four, Chin Na is the most effective, practical, powerful, and easiest to learn. Once you have mastered Tai Chi Chin Na, you will be able to apply the theory and techniques to any other martial style you practice. If you are a Tai Chi beginner, Tai Chi Chin Na could offer you a key to enter the door of martial Tai Chi.

This book provides a solid and practical approach to learning Tai Chi Chin Na accurately and quickly. You will learn specific techniques that flow from each movement, the proper hand forms to use when striking or pressing cavities, and the locations for targeting cavities on the body. Includes 858 photographs with motion arrows!

• General concepts of Chin Na
• Basic Chin Na theory and training
• 51 Chin Na techniques for peng, lu, ji, and an
• 41 Chin Na techniques for cai, lei, zhou, and kao
• 103 Chin Na applications for the 37 primary Tai Chi postures
• 17 Chin Na techniques for Tai Chi Pushing Hands

No matter your age or martial prowess, Tai Chi Chin Na is a necessary and enjoyable way to explore the depths of Tai Chi—a formidable martial art.

This book is an in-depth guide for learning Tai Chi Chuan.

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan) is a both a relaxed moving meditation and a sophisticated martial arts system. Unique to any other form of exercise, it trains the body (movement), the mind (meditation) and the spirit (confidence).

Through practicing Tai Chi Chuan, you are able to calm down the mind, locate your spiritual center, and consequently find your entire being. From these relaxed moving exercise, you can bring your physical body into an ultimate level of relaxation and natural ease, resulting in smooth Qi (inner energy) and blood circulation. This is a key to maintaining health and recovering from sickness.

This book is an in-depth guide to learn Tai Chi Chuan properly. It offers a general plan for practicing, and goes into great depth, presenting enough content for many years proper learning:

You will learn:

• What Tai Chi Chuan is
• How to practice
• The history of Tai Chi Chuan
• Tai Chi Chuan postures
• About Qi, Qigong, and man
• Fundamental stances
• Categories of Qigong
• Warm-up and get loose exercises
• Tai Chi Qigong
• Qigong training theory
• Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan
• Tai Chi Chuan thirteen postures (eight doors and five stepping)
• The traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Long Form step-by-step

Tai chi ball qigong training is an important component of proper tai chi chuan practice

Once kept secret in martial arts societies, Tai Chi Ball training has the potential to help develop internal strength, whole body connections, yielding and neutralizing skills, and promotes abundant qi flow.

For decades, this training was widely unknown. Dr. Yang has taken the original 24 patterns and extended them to 48 patterns in order to expand the health benefits and to target the needs of martial artists.

For martial artists, tai chi ball qigong training can strengthen the torso, condition the muscles, and increase physical power by using the mind to lead the qi. It can be a major training tool to enhance pushing hands ability.

As a health exercise, tai chi ball qigong training will improve movement of the spine, increase energy through various breathing techniques, and aid in moving many joints of your body properly, and at different angles.

"In all my years of teaching, I believe that Tai Chi Ball Qigong is one of the most powerful exercises I have ever seen to rebuild the entire body's health."—Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

This book includes

• History of tai chi ball
• Theory of tai chi ball qigong
• Tai chi ball warm-ups
• Tai chi ball fundamentals
• Tai chi ball breathing
• Tai chi ball exercises
• Tai chi ball partner exercises
• Tai chi ball advanced practice

BECAUSE NOT ALL KRAV MAGA IS THE SAME®

Hardcover format includes all photos in FULL COLOR!

This book is designed for krav maga trainees, security-conscious civilians, law enforcement officers, security professionals, and military personnel alike who wish to refine their essential krav maga combatives, improve their chances of surviving a hostile attack and prevail without serious injury.

Combatives are the foundation of krav maga counter-attacks. These are the combatives of the original Israeli Krav Maga Association (Grandmaster Gidon).

It is irrefutable that you need only learn a few core combatives to be an effective fighter. Simple is easy. Easy is effective. Effective is what is required to end a violent encounter quickly, decisively, and on your terms. This book stresses doing the right things and doing them in the right way. Right technique + Correct execution = Maximum Effect.

Contents include:

• Key strategies for achieving maximum combative effects
• Krav maga’s 12 most effective combatives
• Developing power and balance
• Combatives for the upper and lower body
• Combative combinations and retzev (continuous combat motion)
• Combatives for takedowns and throws
• Combatives for armbars, leglocks, and chokes

Whatever your martial arts or defensive tactics background or if you have no self-defense background at all, this book can add defensive combatives and combinations to your defensive repertoire. Our aim is to build a strong self-defense foundation through the ability to optimally counter-attack.

DISCOVER THE MARTIAL ESSENCE OF TAI CHI CHUAN

Here's your chance to take the next step in your tai chi journey.

Martial applications found within tai chi chuan are a direct link to your tai chi as a form of self-defense. When you study the martial side of tai chi, you can become proficient in a variety of high-level skills, including sensing, neutralizing, yielding, striking, chin na, and even throwing. 

• If you know a tai chi form, you are going to discover the essence of your movements by becoming aware of their martial applications.
• If you are practicing tai chi pushing hands, you will greatly improve your skills with this understanding of martial applications.
• If you are ready, you are going to love the amazing tai chi fighting set. This fully choreographed set (requires a partner) will combine all your tai chi skills into one 5-minute routine.

It's like having three books in one. Includes:

1. Martial applications for the Yang-style long form
2. Martial applications for Yang-style tai chi pushing hands
3. The complete Yang-style tai chi fighting set

For any style of tai chi chuan, this book will be important for practitioners who wish to develop a deeper understanding and advanced skills.

• Learn how to analyze the forms and defense applications in your tai chi, gaining higher-level knowledge of your style.
• Discover the martial applications of Yang style. These insights will give you greater understanding of your own art.
• Find inspiration. Master Yang's writing will inspire you to investigate the martial applications of your tai chi style.

This edition includes an easy-to-follow layout. Each technique is presented in four to six large photographs with detailed instructions on how to perform the movements. Motion arrows are used on the photographs to help you execute the movements correctly.

The Crocodile and the Crane translates an ancient, hugely popular, and authentic literary tradition to the setting of a near-future apocalypse, while conveying insights into Asian philosophy, history, and martial arts tradition.

PRACTITIONERS OF A SECRET ART that bestows immortality and more, Sanfeng and Zetian are brother and sister and have lived together in China for more than 3000 years. Now they face an enemy they recognize from their childhood, a terrifying disease that left them orphaned and alone in the world. The disease kills quickly and without mercy bringing the siblings to the edge of apocalypse and pitting them against each other in a battle for the world.

They are joined in their global struggle by a famous American selfhelp guru, a naïve publishing executive, a bitter Australian cop, and an Indonesian nurse with a secret the whole world wants to steal from her.

This thrilling race against time offers a smorgasbord of Chinese history, an epic love story, and the trenchant tale of one very special, and gifted family. It is a warning against the pitfalls and perils of the modern world, and a clarion call to heed the wisdom of the ancients in new and ever more relevant ways—before it is too late.

“Simplicity is the shortest distance between two points.” ― Bruce Lee, The Tao of Jeet Kune Do

The best of both Eastern and Western stick fighting techniques

The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is a unique, non-style specific, approach to fighting with the short stick. Its curriculum is streamlined and divided into nine logical stages of training that allow the reader to quickly and methodically learn and develop the skills needed for fighting with the stick. Whether you are just starting out, or have been practicing stick fighting for years, there is something for everyone in this book. Also included are systematic workouts and descriptions of how to make and use specific training equipment as you learn and master The Art and Science of Stick Fighting.

• Nine levels of instruction, progressing from easy to expert
• Over 700 photos with motion arrows
• A “nondenominational” approach to the stick, utilizing the best of Eastern and Western arts
• A comprehensive, methodical approach to building stick fighting skills

This book stands apart from other stick fighting training manuals because it emphasizes the dynamics of combat. Many other books focus on forms and twirling. The author draws on thirty years of martial experience, presenting the best of both Eastern and Western traditions.

The Art and Science of Stick Fighting begins with the basics, upon which everything else relies.

• A stable stance
• Basic footwork
• An effective guard

Once the basics are in place, you learn the strategies and tactics of fighting with the stick at long, middle, and close range. By controlling the distance, you control the fight!

• Learn important guidelines for sparring, from light contact up to full-contact training.
• Learn how to construct your own padded weapons.
• Learn effective fighting tips that will rev up your game.

Also included are chapters on advanced techniques; combating short ranged weapons such as a knife to long range weapons like the staff. Even detailed techniques to use when your opponent is armed but you are not!

Whether you already study the stick or are just starting out, if you want to learn how to get an edge , The Art and Science of Stick Fighting is for you!

Spotting danger before it happens is a skill that can be developed and may even save your life.

A mother dropping her teenager off at the mall, a young man leaving home for college, a family about to head out on their first trip overseas. What do all of these people have in common? They all have a vested interest in their personal security and the wellbeing of those they love. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, there were an estimated 1.25 million violent crimes committed in the United States in 2018.

Make no mistake; in a world filled with crime and violence, you are your own last line of defense.

Continuing on the path of The Gift of Fear (Gavin deBecker), Spotting Danger Before It Spots You, author Gary Quesenberry breaks down the basic techniques necessary to help you develop good situational awareness and increase your levels of personal safety. Gary calls upon his extensive background as a Federal Air Marshal and defensive tactics instructor to explain these methods in simple terms that will greatly improve your general understanding of how, when and where violence occurs. He will then take the next critical step—providing you with the tools you need to properly identify and evade danger before it ever has a chance to materialize.

You will learn

• The common traits of predatory behavior
• How to conduct a personal “safety check”
• How to develop strong awareness skills
• What to do when you spot potential trouble
• Staying safe and living life free of worry and fear

“Today more than ever, it is imperative that we pay close attention to our surroundings and learn how to interpret what’s happening around us. Tragic events can often be both predictable and preventable.” — Federal Air Marshal Gary Quesenberry