enhancement introductory conditioning swordsmanship

books:

Martial Mechanics: Maximum Results with Minimum Effort in the Practice of the Martial Arts

8 reviews
Phillip Starr

Blue Snake Books, 2008

important for serious students
I am afraid this book will not get the exposure it deserves because it is not flashy and does not promise quick fixes or ancient "secrets". For a serious students of traditional martial arts, it is an important addition to your library, and should be refered to often. This information is important for beginners and long time practitioners. If spinning heel kicks or tounament sparring are ...

The CHI Revolution: Harnessing the Healing Power of Your Life Force

17 reviews
Bruce Frantzis

Blue Snake Books, 2008

An excellent book!
The easy to understand writing style makes this an effortless read, which lets you get down to absorbing the information better than any other book I've read in this field. It's also a great motivator for your practice and the health giving exercises presented here really work. If you're embarking on anything chi related to improve your health, or just curious about the subject, this is an ...

The Whirling Circles of Ba Gua Zhang: The Art and Legends of the Eight Trigram Palm

14 reviews
Frank Allen, Tina Chunna Zhang

Blue Snake Books, 2007

Passion and expertise in the internal arts.
Most martial arts books are passionless. My library is full of books that have lots of interesting content but little real human interest to me. Until recently the only martial arts books I loved were T.T. Liang's books on Tai Chi. Somehow the energy, the slyness of character, his love of his art came through. You knew Tai Ji was worth doing because it meant something to Liang. That was it ...

Opening the Energy Gates of Your Body: Chi Gung for Lifelong Health (Tao of Energy Enhancement)

37 reviews
Bruce Frantzis

Blue Snake Books, 2005

Potentially life changing - must read!
I've been interested in Chi-Gung and Taoist things for a number of years. Took a few classes, etc, but nothing has been as detailed and to the point as this material from Mr Frantzis. Honestly, most chi-gung books and many classes out there just teach you some physical movements or "standing like a tree".. stand in different poses and hold it without a whole lot of additional instruction as ...

Mastering Yang Style Taijiquan

12 reviews
Fu Zhongwen

Blue Snake Books, 2006

Amazing
Pretty much what you are looking for in a Yang family style book. It will not teach you Taijiquan, find a teacher for that. It will help you look upon what you are doing better and with a wider eye. It is very interesting, and if you are asking questions about the forms and stuff you are learning, this will answer them. A definite must for any Yang family Taijiquan lookers ;) Very nice, Very ...

The Warrior Diet: Switch on Your Biological Powerhouse For High Energy, Explosive Strength, and a Leaner, ...

12 reviews
Ori Hofmekler

Blue Snake Books, 2007

If You've Tried Everything Else, This Could Work
In the past, I haven't had much luck with diets. I'm usually looking to drop that extra ten pounds or so, but I've tried Atkins, South Beach and The Zone diets with little success. The Warrior Diet is different. By changing the times that I eat (along with dropping highly refined foods), I've made steady progress towards my desired weight while maintaining high energy. It took me a week or so ...

Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang: Foundation Practices, Volume One
Jie Zhang

Blue Snake Books, 2008

One of the three major orthodox internal styles of Chinese martial arts (along with Xing Yi Quan and Tai Ji Quan), Bagua Zhang (or Ba Gua Zhang) is also one of the most ancient and revered. The first volume in a series of two on the form, Liu Bin’s Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang, Volume One, is written from the perspective of a wise master who gives equal attention to Bagua’s historical evolution and to the art and practice itself. A ...

Muay Thai Basics: Introductory Thai Boxing Techniques

5 reviews
Christoph Delp

Blue Snake Books, 2005

Perfect Muay Thai Book!
The book first describes the development, the history and the rules of Muay Thai and presents the necessary equipment. In the second section, the fighting position, the steps and the fighting distance are explained. In the third section, the attack techniques are described in detail: fist techniques, elbow techniques, kick techniques, knee techniques and clinch techniques. Muay Thai champions ...

The Wing Chun Compendium

29 reviews
Wayne Belonoha

Blue Snake Books, 2005

Great Reference Book
I train Ving Tsun in the Moy Yat lineage, so my review comes from that perspective. I think Sifu Belonoha's book is an amazing reference guide that can supplement serious Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) training. Bear in mind, however, that this is not a book you buy to learn Ving Tsun kung fu from. It is supplemental material if you are a student in training. It could also be used as a guide for a new ...

Flashing Steel, 2nd edition: Mastering Eishin-Ryu Swordsmanship

7 reviews
Masayuki Shimabukuro, Leonard Pellman

Blue Snake Books, 2008

Better than the 1st edition
If you enjoyed the 1st edition's philisophical and historical context, the myriad step by step kata photos, and life applying overviews, then the 2nd edition is more impressive. This edition has MORE photos for each kata and more pages (70+). Great addition for your library and swordmanship practices.

Master Cheng's New Method of T'ai Chi

9 reviews
Cheng Man Ch'Ing

Blue Snake Books, 1999

Hennessey Translation
I practiced this method of T'ai Chi for 2 years, until my teacher became ill. Then I found the Hennessey translation, which I find to be excellent. The best I have found for Master Cheng's method. I have no reputable teacher in my area, but can continue to practice with this book. Even if you don't practice, Master Cheng is enjoyable reading.

Earth Qi Gong for Women: Awaken Your Inner Healing Power

3 reviews
Tina Chunna Zhang

Blue Snake Books, 2008

Comprehensive yet Strikingly Simple
I've been teaching Qi Gong for over 10 years there are very few books written by women on Women's Qi Gong. There are even less books that I would recommend to someone who isn't already enrolled in a class. Earth Qi Gong for Women is an exception. The illustrations, photographs and instructions are thorough and easy to understand. Tina Zhang has taken her years of training in China and the ...

Classical Northern Wu Style Tai Ji Quan: The Fighting Art of the Manchurian Palace Guard

13 reviews
Tina Zhang, Frank Allen

Blue Snake Books, 2006

Thorough, complete and compelling
On the bookshelves of the martial arts section there are few books that can truly be called thorough and complete. The "Classical Northern Wu Style Tai Ji Quan" by Tina Zhang and Frank Allen in one of these few. The history section is a concise look at the history of Tai Ji Quan from the perspective of the northern Wu style school. Instead of just regurgitating the usual legends, it tells an ...

The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi: Combat and Energy Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi and Hsing-I

13 reviews
Bruce Frantzis

Blue Snake Books, 2007

Awesome!
Bruce Kumar Frantzis is awesome, both as a teacher, and as a lucid writer. The Power of Internal Martial Arts and Chi is a well written tome that interlaces Frantzis' personal history with the history of a wide variety of the martial arts, from karate to bagua, and is an excellent introduction into the martial and healing arts. I highly recommend it for the novice as well as the seasoned martial ...

Tai Chi: Health for Life

7 reviews
Bruce Frantzis

Blue Snake Books, 2006

Great Resource
Great book. Gives a good framework for understanding the complete art of Tai Chi. Definitely not a step by step "how to" book, but an excellent "why do" book. The benefits of Tai Chi practice are elucidated clearly, while giving an intimate look into the inside elements that make Tai Chi tick (an often overlooked quality in many Tai Chi books that seem to favor bunches of pictures and captions as ...

The Aikido Student Handbook: A Guide to the Philosophy, Etiquette and Training Methods of Aikido

12 reviews
Greg O'Connor

Blue Snake Books, 1993

A must have if you're just starting or thinking of beginning
This is a great introduction BEFORE you enter the dojo to train. It is just what it says, a handbook. This book is a great guide for the beginning Aikido practitioner or for someone who is still investigating. It gives practical advice about how to find the right place to begin practice and what to expect once you begin practice. For more on Aikido see Greg O'Connor's second book.

Muay Thai: Advanced Thai Kickboxing Techniques

4 reviews
Christoph Delp

Blue Snake Books, 2004

Finaly a real book
The book "Muay Thai: Advanced Thai Kickboxing Techniques" by Christoph Delp shows that the author has gained experience in fighting and training in Thailand. The techniques range from basic up to some I haven't even heard of, despite the years I have worked out in Thailand. This book is very good to use additional to the daily work out in the gym. Of course a book can't teach you how to become a ...

Capoeira 100: An Illustrated Guide to the Essential Movements and Techniques

10 reviews
Gerard Taylor

Blue Snake Books, 2007

99 and a half won't do.
This is a great beginners book for those who are just starting out in Capoeira. this progresses with you as you go from beginer to advanced. I reccomend going to an actual class to fully understand and execute these movements and techniques. Also pick up the Capoeira conditioning book. It will definteley help you with the intermmediate and advance sections of the book.

Capoeira Conditioning: How to Build Strength, Agility, and Cardiovascular Fitness Using Capoeira Movements

9 reviews
Gerard Taylor

Blue Snake Books, 2005

100% Correct!
The title says it all. A very good book for anyone who is into physical conditioning using only body weight exercises!

Walking the I Ching: The Linear Ba Gua of Gao Yi Sheng

1 review
Allen Pittman

Blue Snake Books, 2008

Detailed look at a Taoist martial arts form
I purchased this book after reading an interesting interview with Allen Pittman in the book "Nei Jia Quan: Internal Martial Arts", edited by Jess O'Brien. While bagua seems best known for it's circular forms, "Walking the I Ching" focuses on one particular form in the Gao style that is composed of linear movements. The form consists of 64 sequences of movements, grouped into 8 "Houses" which ...

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