The 24 female martial artists interviewed here discuss the challenges of their training and how it has helped bring new purpose to their lives. Some of these women were athletes before beginning, while others had never been comfortable with their bodies, yet all received deep spiritual nourishment through their practice.

This anthology is filled with content specifically selected for readers who have a strong interest in women’s participation in the Asian martial traditions. In addition to combative theory and practice, topics include aspects of theatrical performance, music, dance, gender studies, and insights for embodying philosophical elements into daily life. The twelve chapters that were written by noted authorities will certainly educate and inspire. These focus on the martial traditions of Japan, China, India, Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. All of the historical and cultural details add much to the scholarly perspectives on these Asian arts. At the same time they add to the appreciation of how and why martial elements are infused in artistic performances, such as theater, music, and dance. Throughout can be seen the unifying thread of the womans’ role which will increase our appreciation of the feminine presence in Asian martial traditions.

Provides a step-by-step photographic guide to each posture in the Before Heaven T'ai Chi form and illustrates the 64 postures of the After Heaven T'ai Chi form. Also includes discussion of the universal principals of the pratice of T'ai Chi and the philosophy of the I Ching.

Provides up-to-date profiles on the careers of leading and emerging poets.

Little Book of Qi is written for anyone who wants to know more about the mysterious energy known as Qi and how to enhance it through Qigong and Tai Chi practice. The author connects insights developed by ancient Taoists, hermits, healers, and warriors for over thousands of years. The book includes Buddhist teaching, feminism, and modern scientific understanding of ourselves and the universe. Janet shares memories of her own journey as a Tai Chi student growing in her practice. Her stories take us into the exciting time at the nexus of the women’s movement and the development of the martial arts on the west coast when women took their place as teachers and warriors. Janet includes simple Qigong practices that allow the reader to experience the principles she teaches in each chapter. These pracitces are healing and restorative. They strengthen the body, calm the mind, and lighten the spirit.

A deeply personal and compelling memoir that illustrates how the basic principles of Aikido can help us cope with the challenges of life outside the dojo Drawing from more than forty years of experience as an Aikido practitioner and teacher, Kathy Park explains how principles such as embodiment, grounding, centering, extension, 360-degree awareness, blending, and alignment can be applied to everyday life. Candid stories from her own life show how the purpose of practicing Aikido on the mat is to take it off the mat and into the world.

A leading American aikido teacher shows how this 20th-century martial art developed from the ancient spiritual traditions of Japan, not as a fighting method but rather as a means of becoming one with the laws of universal order.