Karate Books

Book SynopsisThe Essential Karate Book is an informative, illustrated guide to the techniques, philosophy and practice of karate.With 20 chapters covering practically every aspect of karate, this in-depth reference will assist students and instructors as they plot their course through karate instruction, benefiting those at all levels. The Essential Karate Book contains 200 diagrams mapping out moves with 300 step-by-step photographs and companion videos, making it a comprehensive general karate reference for Western audiences. Readers of this karate guide will learn about: Stances, blocks, strikes and kicks Preparing your body through warm-ups, stretching, and conditioning through karate-specific exercises Kata grading and fighting (kumite) techniques and competition rules Martial arts weapons (kobudo), and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) applications The origins and history of karate Required behavior, clothing and etiquette, as well as the fundamentals of karate and the different styles that share them The Essential Karate Book is a must-have for any martial arts enthusiast, from beginners to black belts!Trade Review"Mr. Lund's book appeals to instructors, students and enthusiasts whose aim it is to learn and teach the full potential of the body and mind in the art of combat." --Morne Swanepoel, Black Belt Magazine contributor and leading MMA and reality-based combat trainer"Mr. Lund's book is one of the few books I would consider complete in providing an overall and detailed aspect of traditional Japanese karate. It's well outlined with pictures (too many to count), and descriptions of each of the categories that includes techniques and mannerism, and differences between the major styles." --Sensei Domi, BabyBoomerSensei blog

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Book SynopsisSilver Winner - 2010 IP'S Living Now Award1st Runner Up - 2010 Eric Hoffer AwardEndorsement - 2010 IP's Highlighted Title AwardFinalist - 2010 Book of the Year Award by ForeWord MagazineFinalist - 2010 USA Best Book Award 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 trainingTrade Review"With the absence of any work on hojo undo, this book is destined to become an instant success and I am pleased to be able to lend my name to its publication. Mike Clarke's empirical experience and deep knowledge of both Okinawa's fighting arts and the culture in which it evolved make him uniquely qualified to produce a book of this nature." -- Foreword Magazine "This book explains in detail how Okinawan Karate masters attained their awesome Karate Power and how they were able to develop such fantastic powerful techniques. Everything that you wanted to know about Hojo Undo training is explained in this book. There are explanations on the different training methods of Japanese and Okinawan Karate. Learn the secrets of traditional Karate power. Learn the difference between sport Karate and traditional Karate. Traditional Karate focuses on building a complete Karate warrior. It combines mind, body, and soul. For those who are dedicated to the art of Karate, this book is a must for your library. I highly recommend this outstanding manual." -- Norman Leff, Menkyo Kaiden Shihan, Over 50 years of experience Clarke is an honorable man of karate ... I highly recommend this book. -- Hokama Tetsuhiro, Kaicho 10th dan Michael Clarke has captured the secret of traditional karate power. -- Kinjo Tsuneo, Kyoshi 8th dan I recommend this book ... It is a valuable asset for learning how the tools are used as an extension of training. -- Akamine Hiroshi, Kaicho 8th dan I can't think of a single person anywhere in the world better suited to introduce this subject, and I highly recommend The Art of Hojo Undo: Power Training for Traditional Karate to teachers and students alike. -- Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi 8th dan A serious writer ... of great value to anyone who wishes to understand traditional karate-do. -- John Cheetham, Editor Shotokan Karate Magazine

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Book SynopsisDynamics, 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.”Trade Review“Swanson’s debut is a scientific guide to the stances, movements, and techniques of karate.” “Swanson, a professor of biology and biomechanics at Salve Regina University, uses his scientific training to help teachers and students better understand the tenets of karate. The many illustrations (ably provided by Nigro) show everything from proper alignment of a striking surface (say, a fist or a foot) to how one’s body should move from the beginning to the end of a thrust. The first part of the book focuses on technique, with sections on stances, thrusting, kicking, striking, and blocking. The guide does more than demonstrate how positions should look; Swanson takes the time to explain how each should feel and which muscle groups should be engaged throughout the process. The second part explains the science behind how our joints and muscles work, as well as how the body keeps its balance. This section also includes a brief primer on ‘the application of kinesiological principles to karate,’ which outlines ways to get more force into moves by increasing mass, and, crucially, speed. The last section deals with the notion of ‘internal movement,’ essentially a system of muscle retraction and countermoves that aid in perfecting efficient and powerful techniques. While many students mistakenly think of this process as simply hip wiggling, Swanson shows that the process is more focused on intra-abdominal pressure, and he explains how the proper tensioning and contracting of certain muscles are key to quick and powerful movements. Swanson’s writing is clear and informative, and his pure love of the art shines through. This book is not for karate neophytes, and the terms used will be confusing to unfamiliar readers. But for teachers and students who want to not only perfect techniques, but also understand the biology behind them, the book will be an invaluable aid.” “An informative guide for those looking to enhance their karate training.” —Kirkus Reviews Table of ContentsForeword by Robin Rielly Foreword by James Field Acknowledgments PART 1: The Techniques and How to Do Them CHAPTER 1: An Introduction and How to Use This Book CHAPTER 2: The Four Fundamental Requirements of Martial Arts CHAPTER 3: With What and How Do I Make a Hitting Surface? CHAPTER 4: Stances, the Body Postures of Karate CHAPTER 5: The Dynamics of Stances CHAPTER 6: Tsuki: Thrusting Techniques CHAPTER 7: Keri: Kicking Techniques CHAPTER 8: Uchi: Striking Techniques CHAPTER 9: Uke: Blocking Techniques CHAPTER 10: Kuzushi: Techniques of Breaking Balance PART 2: Principles of Karate Techniques CHAPTER 11: How the Body Works: Joints and Muscles CHAPTER 12: How the Body Works: Balance CHAPTER 13: Biomechanics: How Do I Hit Something Hard? PART 3: Internal Movement of Karate CHAPTER 14: If I Jiggle My Hips, Do I Hit Someone Harder? Hip Vibration CHAPTER 15: Hit Them Like a Steam Train: Using Body Shifting to Generate Translational Power CHAPTER 16: Rockin’ and Rollin’: Rotation of the Body to Create Power, Coordination of Movement, and Superior Body Position CHAPTER 17: Breathing: The Key to Coordination CHAPTER 18: How Do I Hit Things and Not Fall Over? Keage, Kekomi, and Ate CHAPTER 19: Is There Equipment That Can Help Me? CHAPTER 20: Conclusion Index About the Author About the Illustrator

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