For women who have thought about karate, aikido, tai kwondo or another martial art. Tailored specifically for women, this book answers intelligently & incisively just the kinds of questions that beginners have. It covers, in depth, such subjects as: How to choose a martial arts style; How to overcome common concerns that beginners often face; What to look for & what to avoid in a school; & What questions to ask a potential instructor. Also covered are such basics as uniforms, terminology, & etiquette. The martial arts are the perfect way to achieve physical, spiritual & mental fitness, as women are increasingly recognizing. This complete sourcebook is essential reading for any woman interested in making a commitment to a martial arts program.

“Brave and ballsy . . . the internal chaos that prompts Sekules’ rage and desire to retaliate is a more original, fascinating place to visit than any gym.” —Salon.com The Boxer’s Heart is a brilliantly candid memoir of the world of women’s boxing, now updated and with a new afterword. Written in raw and vivid style, it tells the story of how a young everywoman moves to New York City to write and, through struggles and disappointments in her personal life, rises through the ranks at the famed Gleason’s Gym to box professionally. Sekules’s account unfolds with the pace and depth of a great novel, crammed with larger-than-life characters and piercing observations. Any woman who has grappled with anger and trust in her relationships, been nagged by insecurity at the gym, or wondered what it feels like to throw a punch will identify with this witty and honest account of “ the sweet science of bruising.” “It’s a knockout, folks . . . The Boxer’s Heart is a winner, on all cards.” —Newsweek “What is most captivating about Sekules’ love letter to boxing is how she reconciles the feminine proclivity for tenderness and nurturing with their simultaneous ability to knock one another out, to unleash fury in a controlled and respectful way.” —Oprah.com “Sekules . . . is appealingly self-aware . . . [and] gives us a sense of women’s boxing as a thriving movement.” —The New York Times Book Review “This is a story of self-discovery, about finding out what you love, and then doing it—with passion, with a boxer’s heart.” —Kirkus Reviews

With over 450 photos, this comprehensive and insightful guide to the forms and history of Kenpo Karate is ideal for martial arts students of all levels The Kenpo Karate Compendium details the forms of American Kenpo as prescribed by the “Father of American Karate,” Ed Parker. Author Lee Wedlake, 9th degree black belt, world-class instructor and competitor, brings his acclaimed training and teaching experience to bear in this unique resource for all who practice and teach American Kenpo and its offshoot systems. The American Kenpo system is taught worldwide and this reference will become a standard for thousands of Kenpo practitioners in various lineages. It will also serve as a stimulus for all martial artists by providing a sense of the logical framework of American Kenpo. Having collected the general rules of motion and the numerous fine points of Kenpo, the book is a standout in the genre. • COMPREHENSIVE TREATMENT of the Kenpo Karate system provides a progression of teaching curricula for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students and instructors • COVERS history, fundamentals, forms, solo and partner practice, and advanced technical skills • INCLUDES over 450 black and white photos detailing forms and techniques • SOMETHING FOR ALL STUDENTS, whether pursuing martial arts for health, competition, self-defense, or personal improvement Table of Contents Introduction Preface Chapter 1: What the Beginner and the Black Belt Should Know Chapter 2: The Basics and Exercise Forms: Short and Long 1 and Short and Long 2 Chapter 3: The Intermediate Forms: Short Form Three and Long Form Three Chapter 4: Form Four Chapter 5: Form Five Chapter 6: Form Six Chapter 7: Form Seven Chapter 8: Form Eight Chapter 9: The Sets Now What? Legal viewpoint by Frank Triolo Capstone--The Thesis Form General rules of motion Recommended Reading About the Author

This book presents basic descriptions of Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Aikido, and Tae kwon do. An opening chapter describes these disciplinesï¿1/2 origins among Shaolin monks, samurai, and ninjas. Following chapters describe clothing, colors, belts, and basic moves, then advise on how and where to find proper instruction in each discipline. Ener-Chi Books, written especially for teens, present ideas and exercises that both energize a girlï¿1/2s body and soothe her spirit. The books take inspiration from a variety of Asian practices and exercises--thus, the suffix chi, a Chinese term that denotes internal physical and spiritual bodily energy. Ener-Chi Books feature clear, easy-to-follow directions and illustrations that are both clever and instructive, all presented in full color.

Teaching is an art. Effective martial arts teachers must not only be competent practitioners but must also develop the communication and interpersonal skills of any good teacher. In this collection, twenty-six experienced martial arts teachers discuss the process of learning and teaching a martial art, from the 'nuts and bolts' of teaching technique to the philosophical underpinnings of training.